What is Lawful Presence?

The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia has created a new policy requiring University System Institutions to verify the lawful presence in the United States of all admitted students entering Albany State University in the fall 2011 semester or later.

BOR Policy 4.3.4: “University System institution shall verify the lawful presence in the United States of every successfully admitted person applying for resident tuition status (in-state tuition).

Students will have a registration hold placed on their record until the lawful presence verification requirement is satisfied.

You can submit your documents in person at RAM Central located in Building C on the West Campus at 2400 Gillionville Road, Albany, Georgia 31707 or click here to submit your documents.

How can a Student Verify Lawful Presence?

Students who file a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and are eligible for federal student aid will have their lawful presence verified as part of the FAFSA process.

Students admitted on an F, J or M Visa will have their lawful presence verified through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).

Students admitted on any other Visa will have their lawful presence verified through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) Program.

Once admitted, all other students may provide one of the following legal documents to Office of Admissions and Recruitment to satisfy the lawful verification requirement.

• A clear copy of an original or certified U.S. Birth Certificate showing the student was born in the U.S. or a U.S. territory. The copy must very clearly show the raised or written seal to be acceptable.
  
  
• A U.S. Certificate of Naturalization (USCIS form N-550 or N-570).
  
  
• A U.S. Certificate of Citizenship (USCIS form N-560 or N-561).
  
  
• A U.S. Certificate of Birth Abroad issued by the Department of State (DS-1350) or a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS-240).
  
  
• A current U.S. Passport.
  
  
• A current Driver’s License/ID issued by the State of Georgia. Your license/ID must be submitted in color in order to satisfy lawful presence. A Limited-Term license/ID is not acceptable.
  
  
• A current ID issued by the State of Georgia.
  
  
• A current military ID (service member only, not dependent). Documented using the Confirmation of Review of Military ID Worksheet – A photocopy is not acceptable.
  
  
• A current, valid Permanent Resident Card (USCIS form I-151 or I-551). We require both the front & back sides of your Permanent Resident Card to be submitted in color. It must not expire before the first day of class of the term the student will start ASU.
  
  

Please contact us at admissions@asurams.edu or 229-500-4358 if you have any questions.