Proof of Residency

Your residency status determines the tuition rate you'll pay at Oakton College. To ensure you're charged the correct tuition rate, submit your residency documentation before the priority deadline.

Whether you live inside or outside District 535, residency documentation helps Oakton determine your tuition classification. International students and out-of-state students may be subject to different tuition rates based on their residency status.

If you participate in the E-Z Pay Tuition Payment Plan, you are strongly encouraged to prove residency before you join the E-Z Pay Plan.

Not sure which residency category applies to you? The Enrollment Center can help you determine your residency status and required documentation before the priority deadline.

Priority Deadlines

Summer 2026: June 15, 2026
Fall 2026: August 24, 2026
Spring 2027: January 25, 2027

Avoid Late Fees

If you do not submit proof of residency documentation by the priority deadlines, you may face late fees. A $27 late fee is imposed once the withdrawal period begins for 16-week classes (fall and spring) or seven-week classes (summer).

Do I Qualify for In-District Tuition? 

You must meet all of these requirements: 

  • Live within Oakton College District 535
  • Have lived within the district for 30 days before the semester begins 
  • If you recently moved to the district, your reason for moving must be other than attending Oakton College. 
Submit acceptable proof of residency documents by the priority deadlines.


How Do I know if I live in District 535?

Before you submit any documents, confirm that you live within the district's boundaries. Oakton's district serves more than 450,000 resident the following communities: Evanston, Glencoe, Glenview, Golf, Kenilworth, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Niles, Northbrook, Northfield, Park Ridge, Skokie, Wilmette and Winnetka. Check the District 535 map

If you live in Des Plaines, Mount Prospect, or Rosement, contact the Enrollment Center at 847.635.1700 to verify whether your street address is within district boundaries.

Once you confirm that your street address qualifies as in-district, the next step is to start gathering your official documentation of residency.

Who is Exempt from the 30-Day Residency Requirement? 

The 30-day residency requirement does not apply to students in these categories:

  • Are under the legal guardianship of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).
  • Were recently emancipated from DCFS.
  • Previously met the residency requirement but experienced a DCFS placement change into another community college district. The student, a caseworker or other DCFS personnel, or the student’s attorney or guardian ad litem appointed under the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 shall provide the district with proof of current in-district residency.
  • Are active-duty military or otherwise eligible under federal law (38 U.S.C. § 3679(c)).

What if I Don't live in District?

If you don't live within District 535, your residency classification determines the tuition rate you'll pay. Review the information below to understand which category applies to you.

Out-of-District 

If you reside outside District 535 are an Illinois resident, you will be considered an out-of-district student.

This provision applies to the following Illinois residents:  

  • Federal Job Corps workers stationed in District 535
  • State or federal correctional inmates 
  • Full-time students attending a post-secondary educational institution in District 535 who have not demonstrated a verifiable interest in establishing permanent residency
  • Students attending under chargeback or contractual agreements with another community college.

Out-of-State 

Any student who is a resident of another state will be considered an out-of-state student and will be charged the out-of-state tuition rate.

Exceptions 

If you have status of refugee, parolee or asylum, this rule does not apply to you.

International Students

Any student who is a resident of another ountry will be considered an out-of-state student and will be charged the out-of-state tuition rate.

Visa Holders 

Visa holders, including F1, will be charged the out-of-state tuition rate regardless of residency status.

J1 Visas 

If you have a J visa and are working full-time within District 535, then you may qualify for an exception through the Business Educational Service Contract (PDF) (557 KB).

 

What Documents do I Need?

You can submit a valid photo ID or school transcript. If you don't have either document, submit two alternative documents, such as a bank statement and utility bill.

Review the two options below to determine which one applies to your situation. Confirm that your documents meet all requirements before submitting them.

Choose one of the following documents:

  • A valid Illinois driver's license (front and back). The address must match the address provided on the admission application.
  • A valid Illinois state ID card (front and back). The address must match the address provided on the admission application.
  • A high school transcript issued within the past two years to the student’s in-district permanent address provided on the admission application.

If you don't have a valid photo ID or school transcript, you can submit alternative documents such as bank statements, utility bills and vehicle registration.

In addition to meeting the 30-day residency requirement, the documents must also meet these requirements: 

  • Be issued in the student's name 
  • The address must match the in-district permanent address provided on the student's admission application.
  • The documents must be dated within the last 12 months from the first date of the semester.

Submit two of the following documents:

  • Bank/mortgage/credit card statement
  • Utility bill: gas, electric, water, telephone, cable/internet
  • Insurance bill: auto, renters, homeowners, healthcare
  • Student loan bill
  • Automobile loan bill
  • Vehicle registration card
  • Social Security benefit statement
  • Pay stub (including unemployment pay stubs)
  • Property tax document
  • Jury duty notice
  • Government or education documents

Submit Your Documents

At the Enrollment Center (room 1860, Des Plaines; room A100, Skokie).

Email can be sent to enrollmentcenter@oakton.edu.

Note:  Email may not be a secure form of submitting sensitive information. Oakton College does not recommend sending private or confidential information such as social security number, driver's license number, date of birth, or personal financial information via email.

Fax can be sent to 847.635.1706.

Mail can be sent to:

Oakton College, Enrollment Center
1600 E. Golf Road
Des Plaines, IL 60016-1268

Do Any of These Special Circumstances Apply to Me?

Some students may qualify for in-district tuition or a different residency determination based on their individual circumstances. Review the situations below to determine whether one applies to you. If one of these circumstances applies to you, file a residency appeal.

Recently Moved to District 535

If you have moved into District 535 for reasons other than attending Oakton, you could be exempt from the 30-day requirement. You must demonstrate—through documentation—a verifiable interest in establishing permanent residency within the district. Review the process for requesting a residency appeal. 

Employed in District 535

If you are not a District 535 resident but work at least 35 hours per week in the district, you may be eligible for in-district tuition. You'll need to complete and submit Business Educational Service Contract (PDF) (557 KB) with the most recent pay stub issued by your employer.

J-1 Visa Holders

If you are on a J-1 visa and currently working full time within District 535, you may be eligible to use the Business Educational Service Contract (PDF) (557 KB).

How to File a Residency Appeal

If the proof of residency documentation does not meet the residency requirements, students may request an exception by completing a Residency Appeal.

To appeal, you must provide a typed statement explaining why you do not have the required documentation. The statement must include these items:

  • Student’s full name
  • Oakton ID number
  • Permanent address
  • Oakton email address
  • Phone number
  • A statement explaining why the student does not have the required documentation, including why they moved into Oakton’s district*
  • The semester or semesters you want reviewed for in-district tuition eligibility (e.g., Spring 2026)
  • Statement date and student’s signature

*Per ICCB regulations, students requesting in-district tuition must move into District 535 for reasons other than attending Oakton.

Supporting documentation

Please provide two to three documents issued in the student’s name that were sent to the in-district permanent address provided on the admission application. The documents must be dated.

We accept the following documents:

  • Bank/mortgage/credit card statement
  • Utility bill: gas, electric, water, telephone, cable/internet
  • Insurance bill: auto, renters, homeowners, healthcare
  • Student loan bill
  • Automobile loan bill
  • Vehicle registration card
  • Social Security benefit statement
  • Pay stub (including unemployment pay stubs)
  • Property tax document
  • Jury duty notice
  • Government or education documents

Processing timeline

Requests will be reviewed within seven business days from the date of submission. Financial Aid recipients may require additional processing time. The committee will notify students of the status of their request within two to three business weeks.

Submission methods

Requests may be submitted in person or by U.S. mail, fax or email*.

Oakton College
1600 E. Golf Road
Des Plaines, IL 60016
Phone: 847.635.1700 
Fax: 847.635.1706 
enrollmentcenter@oakton.edu

Need Help?

If you're unsure which residency category applies to you or what documentation to submit, contact the Enrollment Center before the priority deadline. Remote and in-person services are available in Room 1860 at the Des Plaines campus and Room A100 in Skokie. 

Hours of Operation

  • Monday–Thursday: 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Friday: 9:45 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Phone: 847.635.1700
Email: enrollmentcenter@oakton.edu