Audit report: Student residency mistakes cost state millions

ATLANTA - State auditors say Georgia loses millions of dollars in revenue for out-of-state college students incorrectly classified as residents, including some students who are wrongly getting HOPE scholarships.

The audit says the state loses an estimated $2 million in revenue each term students are mistakenly granted residency.

It blames vague policies by the Board of Regents and poor practices on college campuses.

Chancellor Erroll Davis, who oversees the state's 35 public colleges and universities, said in a statement that the system agrees with recommendations of the audit and is working to change its residency policy.

The report was released this week by the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts.