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Institutional Student Location Policy

Student Location Policy

Responsible Office: Registrar’s Office

Effective Date: July 1, 2024

Scope: All enrolled students (Undergraduate, Graduate, and Continuing Education)

1. Purpose

This policy defines how the School of Visual Arts (SVA) determines a student’s physical location to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations. This determination is critical for:

  • State Authorization: Complying with the laws of the state where the student is physically located while receiving instruction.
  • Professional Licensure: Providing required disclosures for programs leading to licensure (e.g., MAT Art Education, MPS Art Therapy).
  • Financial Aid: Ensuring eligibility for Title IV federal funds and state grants (such as NYS TAP).

2. Definition of Location

For the purposes of this policy, "Location" is defined as the state or country where the student is physically present while participating in an SVA educational program.

  • Location vs. Residency: "Location" is distinct from "Legal Residency" (for tax or voting purposes) or "Domicile." It is based strictly on physical presence at the time of instruction.
  • Relocation: Any change in the physical place where a student resides while enrolled.

3. Determination of Location

SVA determines a student's location using a hierarchical data approach:

Student CategoryPrimary Source for Location
On-Campus ResidentsThe assigned SVA Residence Hall (New York, New York).
Commuter/Off-CampusThe Local Address provided in SVA’s student information system.
Prospective StudentsThe Home/Permanent Address provided on the student’s admission application.
International StudentsThe physical address reported for I-20/SEVIS compliance.

4. Student Responsibilities

To maintain institutional compliance and individual eligibility for aid:


  1. Students must provide an accurate physical address at the time of application.
  2. Students must update their local address by completing an Address Change Form and submitting it to the Registrar’s Office within 14 days of any relocation.
  3. For professional licensure programs, students located outside of New York may be required to sign an attestation confirming their intent to seek licensure in a specific state.

5. Professional Licensure Disclosures

In accordance with 34 CFR 668.43, SVA will provide direct disclosures to students if a student is located in a state where the SVA program does not meet the educational requirements for licensure, or if SVA has not yet made a determination for that state.


These disclosures will be sent to the student’s SVA email address within 14 days of the school being notified of a change in the student's location.

6. Impact on Financial Aid

A change in location may impact a student’s Cost of Attendance (COA). For example, moving from "Dependent at Home" to "Independent Off-Campus" changes the estimated budget used to calculate financial aid eligibility.