Lawful Presence Verification

Section 59-101-430 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, as amended in 2008, requires that, to attend a public university in the state, a student must be a citizen or national of the United States or an alien lawfully present in the United States. College of Charleston is required to verify the status of all students prior to their enrollment. The Board of Trustees of the College approved this verification process to comply with the law. 

Contact us with any questions at lawfulpresence@cofc.edu 

Please select your current status for instructions on verifying your lawful presence.

Lawful Presence Verification for U.S. Citizens

Degree Seeking U.S. Citizens

All degree seeking students must prove lawful presence in the U.S. before enrolling.

If you have submitted a FAFSA form and you are a U.S. citizen, you will be automatically verified. No further action is required.

If you have not filed a FAFSA application and indicated the college as a recipient, please complete the Verification of Lawful Presence form located under the MyForms tile in MyPortal.

  • You will need to submit a copy of your current, state-issued driver's license or ID when completing the form.*

*Driver's licenses/IDs from the following states are not eligible forms of evidence/documentation for lawful presence: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, Virginia and Washington.

The following forms of evidence/documentation are accepted for all states:

  • Current U.S. passport
  • Certified birth certificate indicating that you were born in the United States or a territory of the United States, with your given name and surname, date and place of birth, date birth record was filed and the seal or other certification of the official custodian of the certificate.
  • Certificate of Citizenship (N-560 or N-561)
  • Certificate of Naturalization (USCIS Form N-550 or N-570)
  • U.S. Government issued Consular Report of Birth Abroad
  • Unexpired U.S. Active Duty/Retiree/Reservist Military ID card (DOD DD-2)

 

Non-Degree Seeking U.S. Citizens

All non-degree seeking students must still prove lawful presence in the U.S. before enrolling. Please use the options below to complete your lawful presence requirement.

  • Senior Citizens
    If you are over the age of 60, your lawful presence requirement will be met upon admission to the college.

If you are a non-degree seeking U.S. citizen in any of the following categories or programs, please refer to the Degree Seeking U.S. Citizens information listed above to complete your lawful requirement.

  • Dual Enrollment
  • REACH
  • ESOL
  • Visiting Student

Lawful Presence Verification for Non-U.S. Citizens

Degree Seeking Non-U.S. Citizens

All degree seeking non-U.S. citizen students must still prove lawful presence in the U.S. before enrolling. Please use the options below for instructions on completing your lawful presence requirement. 

  • International Students (F or J visa)
    If you are a visiting student or studying on an exchange program from abroad, your lawful presence requirement will be met upon admission to the college.

  • Other Visa Types & Immigration Classifications
    A variety of visa classifications other than F or J provide for college attendance in the United States. Check with your visa sponsor or immigration counsel if you are unsure of the activites allowed under your visa or immigration category.

Non-Degree Seeking Non-U.S. Citizens

  • ESOL
    Your lawful presence requirement will be met upon admission to the college.