Proof of Residency

Oakton College  District 535 serves more than 450,000 residents in the communities of Evanston, Glencoe, Glenview, Golf, Kenilworth, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Niles, Northbrook, Northfield, Park Ridge, Skokie, Wilmette, Winnetka and parts of Des Plaines**, Mount Prospect** and Rosemont**.

Contact the  Enrollment Center at 847.635.1700 for exact in-district addresses.

Career/Joint Agreements

Students planning to attend Oakton under a career/joint agreement from their home institution should submit their paperwork to the  Enrollment Center. Once the agreement is processed, your Oakton bill will reflect the in-district rate.

For additional information, contact the Enrollment Center at 847.635.1700.

Supporting Your Proof of Residency

To receive in-district tuition at Oakton, applicants must submit proof of residency with documentation showing they lived within District 535 for at least 30 days prior to the beginning of the semester.

You can prove your residency by submitting one of the following documents:

  • A valid Illinois driver's license. The address must match the address provided on the admission application.
  • An Illinois state ID card. 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.

Alternatively, you may also prove your residency by submitting two of the following documents:

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

In addition to meeting the 30-day issue requirement, the two documents must also be issued in the student's name and match the in-district permanent address provided on the admission application and they must be dated within the last 12 months from the first date of the semester.

Proof of Residency Priority Deadlines

Spring 2025: January 21, 2025
Summer 2025: June 11, 2025
Fall 2025: August 25, 2025

Proof of Residency Late Fee

If students do not submit proof of residency documentation by the published deadline, students may be assessed a $27 late fee once the withdrawal period begins for 16-week classes (Fall and Spring) or 7-week classes (Summer).

Submitting 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

Residency Appeal Request Process

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

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

  • Student’s full name
  • Oakton ID number
  • Permanent address
  • Preferred email address
  • Phone number
  • A statement explaining why the student does not have the required documentation, including why they moved into Oakton’s district***
  • 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

Two-three documents issued in the student’s name to the in-district permanent address provided on the admission application. The documents must be dated. Use the Accepted Documentation list as a guide.

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 2-3 business weeks. 

Submission methods

Requests may be submitted in person, postal mail, fax or email*.

Exceptions and Other Special Conditions

  • If you have moved into District 535 for reasons other than attending Oakton, you will be exempt from the 30-day requirement if you can demonstrate - through documentation - a verifiable interest in establishing permanent residency within the district. See the Residency Appeal Request Process above.
  • 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 by submitting the Business Educational Service Contract (PDF) (557 KB) with the most recent pay stub issued by your employer.
  • Visa holders, including F1, will be charged the out-of-state tuition rate regardless of residency status. However, if you are on a J visa and currently working full time within District 535, you may be eligible to use the Business Educational Service Contract (PDF) (557 KB)
  • If you participate in the E-Z Pay Tuition Payment Plan, you are strongly encouraged to prove residency prior to joining the E-Z Pay Plan.

For more information or to find out if your residence is within the district, contact the Enrollment Center at 847.635.1700 or enrollmentcenter@oakton.edu.

*Email is not a secure communication channel. During remote work periods, in person, mail and fax are not options for submitting documentation.