Lawful Presence Policy
MTC and Compliance with the SC Illegal Immigration Reform Act
Lawful Presence in the United States Must Be Verified Before Enrollment
In January 2009, the state of South Carolina enacted the SC Illegal Immigration Reform Act (Section 59-101-430 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, As Amended). Midlands Technical College is in full compliance with this law.
SECTION 59 101 430. Unlawful aliens; eligibility to attend public institution of higher learning; development of process for verifying lawful presence; eligibility for public benefits on basis of residence.
(A) An alien unlawfully present in the United States is not eligible to attend a public institution of higher learning in this State, as defined in Section 59 103 5. The trustees of a public institution of higher learning in this State shall develop and institute a process by which lawful presence in the United States is verified. In doing so, institution personnel shall not attempt to independently verify the immigration status of any alien, but shall verify any alien’s immigration status with the federal government pursuant to 8 USC Section 1373(c). (B) An alien unlawfully present in the United States is not eligible on the basis of residence for a public higher education benefit including, but not limited to, scholarships, financial aid, grants, or resident tuition.
It is MTC policy to review the lawful presence of each person currently enrolled or seeking admission. We will do all we can to verify a student's lawful presence without causing additional stress or paperwork. For example, students who are eligible for federal financial aid may have their lawful presence verified through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
However, if you are not eligible to complete the FAFSA, your FAFSA is not yet on file at MTC or if you choose not to complete the FAFSA, you will be responsible for completing the MTC Verification of Lawful Presence Form (online or PDF). You will need to complete the form, and submit your proof of lawful status from the options on the form.
Once the form is completed, there are several ways to get this form and documents to us at MTC:
- Bring information to any campus, or
- Scan in the documents and send by email to verify@midlandstech.edu, or
- Mail the documents to MTC Admissions, P.O. Box 2408, Columbia, SC 29202.
Note: We cannot accept faxed documents.
Citizens of the United States will only need to be verified once during their enrollment at MTC. Non-US citizens will be verified each year, or when their United States Citizenship and Immigration Services documents expire, whichever comes first.
If you have questions about this process, please email us.
Students who fail to answer the request for documentation and verification will be removed from classes and will not be entitled to a refund of tuition paid. All other students who fail to provide documentation prior to first-time enrollment will not be allowed to enroll.
Campus Contact Areas
Documents accepted 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday
Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Airport Campus
Admissions
Airport Student Center | 2nd Floor
Batesburg-Leesville Campus
Student Information
Room 101
Beltline Campus
Admissions
Beltline Student Center | 2nd Floor
Fort Jackson Campus
Education Building
Room A108
Harbison Campus
Harbison Hall
Room 114