7003.1 The following criteria will be considered in determining the domicile of the applicant or the person through whom the applicant's domicile is established:

1. (a) The place of residence;
2. (b) The jurisdiction to which state or local income taxes are filed or paid;
3. (c) The jurisdiction in which the driver's license or non-driver's identification is issued;
4. (d) The jurisdiction in which the person's motor vehicle is registered;
5. (e) The jurisdiction in which the person is registered to vote;
6. (f) The jurisdiction in which the person owns residential real property;
7. (g) The jurisdiction from which the person receives public financial support; and
8. (h) Any other relevant criteria that reveals an intent to establish a particular jurisdiction as the person's domicile.

7003.2 With the applicant's first application for tuition assistance under this Chapter, the applicant shall submit sufficient evidence to establish that the District of Columbia has been the domicile of the applicant, or the person through whom the domicile of the applicant is determined, for not less than the twelve consecutive months preceding the commencement of the freshman year at an institution of higher education. For example, the applicant may submit any of the following as evidence of this requirement:

1. (a) Copies of a valid, unexpired lease covering the twelve consecutive months preceding the commencement of the freshman year at an institution of higher education;
2. (b) Copies of utility bills for utility services provided in the District of Columbia covering the twelve consecutive months preceding the commencement of the freshman year at an institution of higher education;
3. (c) Copies of earnings and leave statements (i.e., pay stubs) that shows residency in the District of Columbia and the withholding of District of Columbia income tax covering the twelve consecutive months preceding the commencement of the freshman year at an institution of higher education;

(d) Copies of documents showing the receipt of financial assistance from the District of Columbia government including financial assistance for housing or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families covering the twelve consecutive months preceding the commencement of the freshman year at an institution of higher education;

(e) Certified copies of District of Columbia income tax returns;

(f) Copies of voter registration, motor vehicle registration, driver's license, or non-driver's identification;

(g) A copy of a deed to residential real property located in the District of Columbia; and

(h) Copies of any other documents that demonstrate that the District is the domicile of the applicant or the person through whom the domicile of the applicant is determined.

7003.3 With the applicant's second and subsequent applications for tuition assistance under this Chapter, the applicant shall submit sufficient evidence to establish that the applicant, or the person through whom the domicile of the applicant is established, has not abandoned the District of Columbia as the domicile since the applicant last received tuition assistance under this Chapter. The applicant may submit the type of evidence described in §7003.2(a) through (h) above as proof of domicile.

7003.4 The Mayor may require the applicant, or request any other District agency, to submit any additional documents, records, or information that may be relevant in determining the domicile of the student or in determining whether the applicant meets any of the other eligibility criteria set forth in §7000.2.

SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 48 DCR 5013, 5017 (June 1, 2001).