Eligibility Verification for Entitlements Act (EVEA)

The Tennessee Eligibility Verification for Entitlements Act (EVEA) became effective on October 1, 2012. The EVEA requires state public institutions of higher education to verify that persons seeking a “state public benefit” are either a “United States citizen” or “lawfully present” in the United States. This act does not affect your admission to Chattanooga State. It only affects your fees and eligibility for state benefits.

The term “state benefit” includes in-state tuition, lottery scholarship, academic scholarship, common market, or any other form of tuition assistance or waiver funded with state-appropriated dollars. State benefit does not include tuition assistance funded privately, such as a scholarship from the institution’s foundation or a privately endowed scholarship.

An applicant’s U.S. citizenship or lawful presence shall be verified in one of two ways:

  • The applicant has completed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for which the student’s U. S. citizenship or eligible non-citizenship status has been confirmed by the federal government (“Citizenship-Confirmed FAFSA”)

OR

  • The applicant presents documentation verifying his/her claim of U.S. citizenship or lawful presence in the U.S. Documents can be emailed to submit@chattanoogastate.edu or submitted in-person at a campus location.

Documentation for US Citizens & Permanent Residents

If you are a U.S. citizen or possess either a TN driver license or REAL ID from any state, you may verify your status by presenting one (1) of the items in the following list. If the documents presented do not include a picture, you must submit some form of valid, government issued, picture ID for verification of identity along with the listed documents:

  1. A valid, non-temporary, TN driver license card (including a learner’s permit or restricted driver license), or photo identification card,
     
  2. A valid, non-temporary, driver license, or photo identification card (including a learner’s permit or restricted driver license) issued by any U.S. state, if marked as a REAL ID;
     
  3. A United-States, government-issued certified birth certificate;
     
  4. A valid, unexpired U.S. passport;
     
  5. An official birth certificate issued by a U.S. State, jurisdiction, or territory; except for Puerto Rican birth certificates issued before July 1, 2010;
     
  6. A US certificate of birth abroad (DS-1350 or FS-545);
     
  7. A report of birth abroad of a citizen of the U.S. (FS-240);
     
  8. A certificate of citizenship (N560 or N561);
     
  9. A certificate of naturalization (N550, N570 or N578);
     
  10. A U.S. citizen identification card (1-197, 1-179);
     
  11. Any successor document to items 1 -9 above;
     
  12. A social security number that can be verified with the social security administration; or
     
  13. Other acceptable document, after consultation with TBR Office of General Counsel.
     
  14. For incarcerated individuals, a school may accept a verified Facesheet from the TN Department of Corrections (TDOC). If a Facesheet contains the language “self-reported” as to the incarcerated person’s SSN, the Facesheet has not been verified and an institution cannot rely on it for EVEA compliance.

Documentation for Lawfully Present Aliens

To establish status as a qualified alien who is lawfully present in the U.S. (If not a U.S. citizen or do not possess a TN or Real ID driver license) you may present two (2) of the following:

  1. A valid, unexpired Permanent Resident Card;
     
  2. Valid, unexpired Foreign Passport with Visa Stamped "Processed for I-551" (Permanent U.S. Residence);
     
  3. Permanent Resident Re-entry Permit (I-327);
     
  4. Valid, unexpired Employment Authorization Card (EAD);
     
  5. Visa permitting study at an institution of higher education in the U.S.
    Adults; F, J, M, A, H, and NATO.
    Minors; All categories except B, C, and D. Chattanooga State may consult with TBR Office of General Counsel regarding status of applicants presenting a visa that is derivative of a primary visa holder, generally denoted by a numerical indicator greater than 1    ;
     
  6. Arrival/Departure Record (I94) for visa classification permitting study at an institution of higher education in the U.S.
    Adults; F, J, M, A, H, and NATO.
    Minors; All categories except B, C, and D. Chattanooga State may consult with TBR Office of General Counsel regarding status of applicants presenting a visa that is derivative of a primary visa holder, generally denoted by a numerical indicator greater than 1    ;
     
  7. Notice of Approval of Status for visa classification permitting study at an institution of higher education in the U.S., with bottom I-94 portion attached (Form I-797).
    Adults; F, J, M, A, H, and NATO.
    Minors; All categories except B, C, and D. Chattanooga State may consult with TBR Office of General Counsel regarding status of applicants presenting a visa that is derivative of a primary visa holder, generally denoted by a numerical indicator greater than 1    ;
     
  8. Refugee travel document (I-571);
     
  9. Asylum (I-94 stating asylum granted for period of 1 year to indefinitely)
     
  10. Valid unexpired Foreign Passport with a valid Visa in a category that permits study at an institution of higher education.
    Adults; F, J, M, A, H, and NATO.
    Minors; All categories except B, C, and D. Chattanooga State may consult with TBR Office of General Counsel regarding status of applicants presenting a visa that is derivative of a primary visa holder, generally denoted by a numerical indicator greater than 1;
     
  11. Any other document determined by the US Department of Homeland Security to be acceptable through the SAVE program to establish status as a qualified alien with lawful presence in the U.S. pursuant to 8 U.S.C. §1641(b). Chattanooga State may consult with TBR Office of General Counsel if an applicant presents any document that is not listed in this guidance document to establish that they are a qualified alien, lawfully present in the U.S.