One Stop Student Services

Proof of Lawful Presence (EVEA)

Financial Aid

Overview of Proof of Lawful Presence

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, requires all students who accept an offer of admission and confirm enrollment to complete proof of lawful presence (EVEA) verification requirements.

A Tennessee law called the Eligibility Verification for Entitlements Act (EVEA) requires all state governmental entities to verify that individuals age 18 or older seeking a “state public benefit,” such as in-state tuition, state-funded scholarships, grants, and fee waivers, are United States citizens or otherwise lawfully present in the United States. UT’s policy extends this legal requirement to all students.

Lawful Presence vs. Residency: Proof of lawful presence (EVEA) verification is separate from the process of establishing Tennessee residency for tuition purposes. Students seeking in-state tuition classification must satisfy residency regulations governed by the University of Tennessee System. For more information regarding Tennessee residency, visit the Residency Classification page on our website.

How This Affects Your Enrollment & Aid

The EVEA law affects eligibility for state public benefits, but does not affect admission to the institution. However, the UT requirement for all students to submit proof of lawful presence may affect eligibility to receive in-state tuition rates, state/federal financial aid, other state public benefits, and enrollment in future terms.

Note: Verification of lawful presence is separate from admission, residency classification, and financial aid eligibility. Completing lawful presence verification does not automatically establish eligibility for any benefit. Additional requirements may apply depending on the benefit.

When Updated Documentation May Be Required

For most students, lawful presence verification is a one-time requirement, but the
university may request updated documentation if:

  • lawful presence cannot be confirmed,
  • additional documents are required,
  • a student’s immigration status changes,
  • or if continuous enrollment was not maintained.

Who Is Exempt from Submitting Verification Documentation?

The following students are not required to submit additional verificatio documentation to the institution:

  • Students who are under 18 years of age
  • Students who are employed by the institution and have had their lawful presence verified through the federal E-Verify program (valid I-9 on file with the institution)
  • Students who have had their lawful presence verified through the federal Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) (e.g., F-1 and J-1 student visa holders)

U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents

Verification

All verification for U.S. citizen or permanent resident students must be submitted through the appropriate Admissions office depending on the student’s prospective program. A student’s U.S. citizenship or lawful presence is verified by:

Option 1 (Preferred Method): Citizenship-Confirmed FAFSA

Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), through which your U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status has been confirmed by the federal government (Citizenship-Confirmed FAFSA)

  • A delay in receiving a Citizenship-Confirmed FAFSA will cause state and/or federal funded aid to be withheld from the student until student completes the FAFSA verification process

Option 2: Official Documents

Presenting official documents that verify your claim of U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status in the United States

A student’s lawful presence verification is not considered complete until the university has reviewed and accepted either a Citizenship-Confirmed FAFSA or submitted documentation.

To avoid delays and help ensure disbursement of state/public funds before the payment due date, students should submit documentation at least three to five business days before any applicable university deadlines, and ideally before the start of the term.

Documentation

For students claiming U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status who have not completed a FAFSA, please upload a copy of the following: (see Document Submission for assistance).

  • U.S. Citizen: Most will provide a copy of their Real ID (valid driver license or photo identification license)
  • Permanent Resident: Most will provide a copy of their U.S. Permanent Resident Card AND a copy of their foreign passport

Please refer to the TN government website for additional acceptable documents: TN Department of Safety & Homeland Security – Proof of Citizenship/Lawful Permanent Residency

Document Submissions

Submitted documentation will be retained in accordance with the university records retention requirements for applications for in-state tuition and/or financial aid.

Document submission can be done through the appropriate Admissions office:

  • Undergraduate Admissions: Students use their Go Vols Portal
  • The Graduate School: Students use their application portal
  • Winston College of Law: Students submit documentation by email to [email protected]
  • College of Veterinary Medicine: Students follow Admissions guidelines and any inquiries about document submission can be sent by email to [email protected]
  • Students can visit One Stop Student Services for assistance accessing a document submission link via a QR code

Consequences for Missing Documentation

Students who remain unverified face the following consequences:

  • Registration Holds: Students who remain unverified after the last add/drop date of the current term will receive a registration hold that prevents registration for future terms until verification is completed.
  • Classification Change: Prior to the end of the current term, students who remain unverified will lose eligibility for in-state tuition and will be reclassified as out-of-state for that current term with out-of-state tuition and fee payment due immediately in accordance with university policy.

Non-U.S. Citizens

Non-U.S. Citizens includes valid visa holders, student visa holders, asylees, or refugees.

Verification

All verification for non-U.S. citizen status students will be processed by the International Student and Scholar Services office.

Students with Valid Visas

Students with valid visas will be asked to submit documentation to include:

  • Current valid visa documentation
  • Arrival/Departure Record (Form I-94)
  • DHS-issued evidence of lawful presence

For more information, visit the ISSS student guide page regarding Confirming Your Immigration Status

F-1 and J-1 Student Visa Holders

Students with certain student visas (F-1, J-1) may be verified through SEVIS and do not need to submit additional documentation unless requested by the International Student and Scholar Services office

Asylees or Refugees

Students claiming to be an asylee or refugee lawfully present in the U.S. will be verified by:

  • Option 1: Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), through which your lawful presence has been confirmed by the federal government
  • Option 2: Presenting two forms of official documentation establishing lawful presence in the United States

Document Submission

Submitted documentation will be retained in accordance with the university records retention requirements for applications for in-state tuition and/or financial aid.

Document submission can be done through the iVols portal or the student may contact the International Student and Scholar Services office for assistance.

Unverified Student Status

If the institution receives final verification indicating that an applicant is not a U.S. citizen or a non-U.S. citizen lawfully present in the U.S., the institution must terminate any recurring benefit, such as in-state tuition or financial aid.

Additionally, the institution must notify the Office of the General Counsel in writing if there is a good faith belief that either:

  • An applicant has knowingly and willfully made a false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation concerning their citizenship or lawful presence in the United States; OR
  • A person has conspired to defraud the institution by securing a false claim allowed or paid to an applicant.