Westchester County residents may obtain a College Certificate of Residence to reduce tuition costs while attending a two-year SUNY/CUNY college outside of Westchester County if they meet the residency requirements. The certificate is only issued by the Westchester County Finance Department.
Residency Requirements: One year in New York State and six months immediately preceding the semester of study in Westchester County.
Students have a period of between two months prior to their registration date and 30 days after the semester starts to obtain the certificate and return it to the respective school.
Once issued the certificate is valid for one year and is valid for only one school. If you are taking courses at more than one school, a certificate is required for each school you are attending.
Access the new online application
Once begun, the application cannot be saved, you must complete the application. Be sure to have the following documents available, and ready to upload:
- NYS proof of residence must be dated one year prior to semester start date
- Six month proof of Westchester County residence
- Photo ID
We are currently still accepting paper applications (see instructions below).
If you have any questions please call (914) 995-2757 or email .
College Certificate of Residence packet
Follow the steps below to ensure smooth processing of your certificate:
- Download and print the instructions, application, and the guardian form if needed.
- The application must be completed in ink and signed.
- All required documents must be submitted with the application. Refer to the instructions.
- All applications must be submitted via U.S. Mail to:
Westchester County Finance Department
148 Martine Ave., Room 728/Cert
College Certificates of Residence
White Plains, NY 10601
The best communication method with the Westchester County Finance Department is via email; the email is checked once daily.
If you have further questions, you may send an e-mail to or send a fax to (914) 995-3230.