Frequently Asked Questions

Regarding the ϡȱ's Policy on Student Classification for Admission and Tuition Purposes


Please note: These FAQs are not intended to be a restatement or comprehensive explanation of the University System of ϡȱ's residency classification policy, and they do not supplant or amend any part of the Policy or procedures. They are offered informally only to answer questions asked most frequently by students. The ϡȱ Policy on Student Classification for Admission and Tuition Purposes (VIII-2.70) (the " Policy") is the only complete and authoritative source of information about residency classification for the ϡȱ. Students who wish to understand their residency status or petition for reclassification are responsible for familiarizing themselves with the ϡȱ Policy and their institution's applicable procedures. For the complete text of the ϡȱ Policy, please refer to:


Q1. I maintain a ϡȱ mailing address. Is this enough for me to qualify for in-state tuition? +

A. No. If you came to ϡȱ from another state, simply living in ϡȱ for 12 consecutive months or having mail delivered to you in the State does not entitle you to in-state status. A continuous physical presence in ϡȱ is certainly important, but it is only one of several requirements established by the Policy. Equally important, for example, are the circumstances that brought you to ϡȱ and the extent to which you have taken other actions that objectively demonstrate that you are not in ϡȱ just to attend college and that you intend to remain in ϡȱ following graduation. Generally, you must demonstrate such intent to be granted in-state status.

Q2. What are all the criteria I must fulfill to meet the Policy definition of ‘in-state’ status? +

A. There are 7 criteria that must be fulfilled for at least 12 months. You must show that you:

1. Have continuously maintained primary living quarters in ϡȱ.

2. Have substantially all personal property, such as household effects, furniture, and pets, in ϡȱ.

3. Have paid ϡȱ income tax on all taxable income, including all taxable income earned outside ϡȱ, and have filed a ϡȱ Resident Tax Return. If you are a dependent for tax purposes, then the person who claims you as a dependent shall have paid ϡȱ income tax on all taxable income, including all taxable income earned outside ϡȱ, and filed a ϡȱ Resident Tax Return.

4. Have registered all owned or leased motor vehicles in ϡȱ for at least 12 consecutive months, if previously registered in another state. Students who have lived in ϡȱ for at least 12 consecutive months but who have had their motor vehicle(s) registered in ϡȱ for less than 12 months will be deemed to have satisfied this requirement if they can show evidence that their owned or leased motor vehicle(s) was (were) registered in ϡȱ within 60 days after moving to the State in accordance with ϡȱ Motor Vehicle Administration requirements.

5. Have possessed a valid ϡȱ driver’s license for at least 12 consecutive months, if previously licensed to drive in another state. Students who have lived in ϡȱ for at least 12 consecutive months but who have held a ϡȱ drivers’ license for less than 12 months will be deemed to have satisfied this requirement if they can show evidence that their driver’s license was issued in ϡȱ within 60 days after moving to the State in accordance with ϡȱ Motor Vehicle Administration requirements.

6. Receive no public assistance from a state other than the State of ϡȱ or from a city, county, or municipal agency other than one in ϡȱ.

7. Have the ability under Federal and ϡȱ law to live permanently and without interruption in ϡȱ.


In addition to the 7 listed criteria above, you must have either:

1. Not raised the presumption that you live out of state. (This presumption is raised if you are attending school or living outside of ϡȱ at the time you apply for admission or you are dependent on a person who is not a ϡȱ resident.)

or

2. Rebutted this presumption with documentation showing that for the relevant period, you have had the continuous intent to:

1) Make ϡȱ your permanent home;

2) Abandon your former home state;

3) Reside in ϡȱ indefinitely; and

4) Reside in ϡȱ primarily for a purpose other than to attend an educational institution in ϡȱ.

Q3. I applied to the University while attending college in another state. I had not previously lived in ϡȱ. I was admitted as an out-of-state student. Time has passed, my circumstances have changed, and I believe I now meet the criteria for in-state status. Am I eligible to be considered for reclassification? +

A. Yes. A reclassification decision is based on the facts as they exist at the time you seek reclassification. At the time you were admitted, you were assigned out-of-state status. There is a presumption in the Policy that if you were residing outside ϡȱ at the time of application, you are residing in ϡȱ primarily for the purpose of attending an educational institution.

Q4. When I applied to the university, I was living in another state and until last year was claimed as tax-dependent on my parents who are not residents of ϡȱ. How can I rebut the presumption that I am primarily living in ϡȱ for educational reasons? +

A. You must demonstrate that you intend to make ϡȱ your permanent home and reside in ϡȱ indefinitely. The Policy's section on "Rebuttal Evidence to Support a Change in Tuition Status" provides some examples of objectively verifiable conduct upon which a university bases its decision regarding in-state status. You must provide clear, convincing, and objective evidence of your primary reason for living in ϡȱ (e.g., full-time employment or the presence of family). The evidence provided will be evaluated on how completely the criteria are addressed; the reliability, authenticity, credibility, and relevance of the evidence; and the totality of facts known to the university.

Q5. I applied to a ϡȱ institution while residing in another state attending college. Before college, however, I lived my entire life in ϡȱ. I went to high school in ϡȱ. My parents have always lived in ϡȱ. I am financially independent but will live at home with them. Will I be admitted with in-state status? +

A. Not necessarily. Because you were residing in another state at the time of application, the out-of-state presumption in the Policy is triggered. Your status will depend on your ability to provide sufficient facts to rebut the conclusion that you are now residing in ϡȱ primarily for the purpose of attending a ϡȱ university. Such factors as family circumstances, personal relationships, and employment separate from the campus will be considered by the university when assessing your primary reason for residing in the state.

Q6. I meet most of the criteria for being an in-state student. I do not qualify for in-state status in any other state. So, in these circumstances, will I be granted in-state status here? After all, a person must be considered in-state somewhere. +

A. No. You cannot be classified in-state by default. The process for attaining in-state tuition status varies by state. Although classification policies across the country commonly employ the term "resident," they may define the term differently. Classification policies seldom rely on traditional notions of "residency," i.e., physical presence or domicile. They present a more rigorous set of objective tests, varying in emphasis depending on the purpose and philosophy of each state's system

Q7. My employer or guardian's employer has transferred me to ϡȱ. In this situation, am I still required to meet all criteria for a full 12 consecutive months (or for a shorter period indicated in the Policy) before qualifying for in-state status? +

A. Yes. Generally, there is no advantage for a person who relocates to ϡȱ because of a change in employment location.

Q8. How important is it for me to obtain a ϡȱ driver's license and register my motor vehicle in ϡȱ? +

A. These are two of the seven requirements in the Policy for in-state status.
If you maintain a driver's license or own a motor vehicle, it is very important that it is a ϡȱ license and registration. If you maintained a license or registration in another state before relocating to ϡȱ, it must be changed to ϡȱ if you wish to be granted in-state status. It needs to be changed within the time required under ϡȱ law. The law requires that you obtain a ϡȱ driver's license and register your motor vehicle within 60 days of moving to ϡȱ. The policy requires conditions to be met for 12 consecutive months, but with respect to the ϡȱ driver's license and registration, if you demonstrate that you have lived in ϡȱ for 12 months you can satisfy the requirement by showing that you have had a ϡȱ driver's license and registration for 10 months.

Q9. Can my classification be affected by my finances or my financial dependency on another person? +

A. Yes, it can. If you are financially dependent on a person who is not a resident of ϡȱ, you are presumed to be residing in ϡȱ primarily for the purpose of attending an educational institution. You may present evidence to rebut this presumption but if you are not successful, you will be assigned out-of-state status. Please review the definition of financially dependent in Policy VIII -2.70 - VI. Definitions.

Q10. Is it true that some international students have in-state status? +

A. Citizens of another country wishing to enter the United States for the purpose of attending a university may legally do so only with a visa. There are many types of visas. International students almost uniformly hold either an "F" or a "J" visa. These visas do not permit a student to remain permanently in this country; they must leave when their enrollment ends, and they sign a statement that they will do so. Among the criteria that must be satisfied by a student desiring in-state status is the "legal ability under Federal and ϡȱ law to live permanently without interruption in ϡȱ." Students holding “F” or “J” visas do not have this legal ability. Virtually all international students are residing in the state of ϡȱ primarily to attend an educational institution.

The ϡȱ also enrolls individuals who live in ϡȱ but who are not citizens. Many have lived in the United States for a considerable period. They may be eligible for in-state status through the ϡȱ non-resident tuition differential exemption for eligible ϡȱ high school graduates. They must meet all the criteria in § 15-106.8 of the Education Article, Annotated Code of ϡȱ.

ϡȱ institutions also enroll students who hold visas other than “F” or “J” visas. Some visas are as restrictive as the "F" and "J" visas, but others are not. Depending on the type of visa, a student from another country may be eligible for in-state status for tuition purposes. Students should consult with their university about whether their visa status allows them to establish in-state status.

Q11. When and how is my in-state and out-of-state classification determined? +

A. A. Your residency classification is first established at the time of admission to your ϡȱ institution, based on information you provide as part of the application process. Because the burden of demonstrating entitlement to in-state status rests with you, if you have not provided this information or if it is incomplete, you will be assigned out-of-state status. If you think you have been misclassified, contact the residency office at your institution. Depending on circumstances, you may be asked by the institution to provide clarifying information. If there remains a question about your classification, your institution may require you to file a petition for change in classification.

Q12. What is the deadline for filing a Petition for Change in Classification for Tuition Purposes form? +

A. The due date is based on the deadline set by the ϡȱ institution at which you seek to enroll (or are enrolled). If that institution has not set a deadline, the due date is the last published date to register for the forthcoming semester/term for which the change in classification is sought.

Q13. I do not meet all criteria listed in Section II of the Policy to be eligible for in-state status. Are there other bases to qualify besides meeting all the criteria in Section II? +

A. You may still qualify for in-state status if you are a member of a group eligible for temporary in-state status under Section IV of the Policy:
1. Full-time or part-time (50% time or more) regular employees of the ϡȱ institution.
2. The spouse or financially dependent child of the above employees.
3. Active-duty members of the Armed Forces of the United States, United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard, (including the reserve components thereof), their spouses, and financially dependent children who are stationed in ϡȱ, reside in ϡȱ, or are domiciled in ϡȱ.
4. Veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States who provide documentation that they were honorably discharged members and currently reside or are domiciled in ϡȱ.
5. Veterans who live in ϡȱ and were discharged from a period of at least 90 days of service in the active military, naval, space, or air service and are pursuing a course of education with educational assistance under the Montgomery G.I. Bill.
6. Anyone who lives in ϡȱ and is using transferred Post-9/11 G.I. Bill benefits and enrolls after the transferor's discharge or release from a period of at least 90 days of service in the activity military, naval or air service; or is using transferred Post-9/11 G. I. Bill benefits and the transferor is a member of the uniformed services who is serving on active duty; is using benefits under the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship; is using benefits through the Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program or is entitled to rehabilitation under 38 U.S.C. § 3102 (a). An individual as described in this Section IV.F will continue to retain in-state status if the individual is using educational benefits under chapter 30, 31, 33, or 35 of title 38, United States Code, and remains continuously enrolled (other than during regularly scheduled breaks between courses, semesters, or terms) at the same school.
7. A member of the ϡȱ National Guard, as defined in the Public Safety Article of the Annotated Code of ϡȱ, who joined or subsequently serves in the ϡȱ National Guard: (i) provide a critical military occupational skill; or (ii) be a member of the AirForce Critical Specialty Code as determined by the National Guard. (ϡȱ National Guard members may also qualify if they meet the criteria in section IV.C. above.)
8. For UMGC only: a full-time active member of the Armed Forces of the United States on active duty, or their spouse.
9. A graduate assistant during the term of their appointment at a ϡȱ institution.
10. A full-time public-school teacher in the first year of employment by a ϡȱ local education agency, who resides in ϡȱ and meets the criteria for a residency waiver in § 15-106.2 of the Education Article, Annotated Code of ϡȱ
11. The child of a ϡȱ public safety employee who is eligible for the Edward T. Conroy and Joan B. Cryor Scholarship under § 18-601(d)(3)(ii) of the Education Article, Annotated Code of ϡȱ.
12. A person who has completed all service hours in an AmeriCorps Program in ϡȱ or who has completed a service program under the ϡȱ Corps Program, pursuant to Title 9, subtitle 28 of the State Government Article, Annotated Code of ϡȱ, as provided in § 15-106.9 of the Education Article, Annotated Code of ϡȱ.
13. A person who has been certified by the Director of the Peace Corps as having served satisfactorily as a Peace Corps volunteer and who is domiciled in ϡȱ, as provided in § 15- 106.11 of the Education Article, Annotated Code of ϡȱ.
14. Individuals, including undocumented immigrants, who do not meet the definition of nonimmigrant alien within the meaning of 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(15) and who meet all the criteria in § 15-106.8 of the Education Article, Annotated Code of ϡȱ.
15. Members of the U.S. Foreign Service who are on active duty for a period of more than 30 days and whose domicile or permanent duty station is in ϡȱ, and their spouses and dependents. Members and their spouses and dependents who qualify for in-state status will continue to hold in-state status while continuously enrolled at the institution, notwithstanding a subsequent change in the permanent duty station of the member to a location outside ϡȱ.
16. Citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, or the Republic of Palau, as provided in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, Pub. L. No. 118-42, Div. G, Title II, § 209(b)(1)(E).

Q14. Is it true that members of the Armed Forces of the United States may be eligible for in-state tuition? Can you tell me which branches of the military participate and what are the guidelines for in-state tuition? +

A. Members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Space Force, and Marines, including the reserve components thereof, are eligible for in-state tuition. If you are an active, full-time member of the Armed Forces, are stationed in the state of ϡȱ, and have the appropriate documentation, you can be eligible for in-state tuition charges. Please refer to the Policy for specifics.

Q15. If I have a residency decision pending for in-state status, and I pay out-of-state charges while the decision is pending, and then I am granted in-state status, will I be reimbursed for any out-of-state charges paid? +

A. Should a change in your status be made, the tuition during the semester of the petition will be adjusted on your student account.

Q16. How do you complete the expense table in section 2, part 4 of the residency petition? +

A. The expense table should outline the student's expenses, income, and sources of financial support during the entire 12-month period prior to the last day to register for the semester in which the student seeks reclassification. A source of financial support is how the student covered their expenses, such as income from employment, student loans, scholarships/grants, money from another person, an investment plan, etc.

For each instance of financial support, students should provide appropriate documentation that explains and documents the source of support, as indicated in the table. Documentation types include, but are not limited to, paystubs, W-2s, bank or investment statements, loan promissory notes, affidavits, or financial aid disbursement letters. Affidavits submitted for documentation purposes must be notarized and clearly state who is writing the affidavit, their relationship to the student, and the type of support provided.

Note: If a student is financially dependent for tax purposes (i.e., claimed on someone's taxes, per section 2, part 2 of the petition), completion of this table is not required. Students may indicate "N/A" or "see information for the person upon whom I am financially dependent" in the table. If a student is financially dependent upon another person but is not claimed as a dependent on their tax return, the expense table must be completed.

Q17. Why does my university need all the documentation listed on the petition form? +

A. Residency offices need all the documentation listed on the form to verify the statements you have made in your petition.

Q18. My parents provide some support, and the rest comes from scholarships and loans. Will I be considered financially dependent on my parents when I apply for in-state tuition? +

A. A financially dependent student is one who has been claimed as a dependent on another person's prior year tax returns or is a ward of the State of ϡȱ. A student will be considered financially independent if the student provides 50% or more of his or her own living and educational expenses and has not been claimed as a dependent on another person's most recent tax returns.

Q19. I depend on my spouse's income for a lot of my support. Since my spouse lives with me in ϡȱ, and I depend on them for financial support, does that mean I'm entitled to in-state tuition? +

A. Not necessarily. You may qualify for in-state tuition status in this situation if you have satisfied the other criteria as outlined in Section II of the Policy. There are also ways you may qualify temporarily; see Section IV. Criteria for Temporary Qualification of Non-residents for In-State Status of the Classification Policy for further information.

Q20. I lived in a neighboring state before enrolling here two years ago, and I cannot provide any of the evidence listed in the policy for rebutting the presumption that I'm an out-of-state resident. I believe that there are other facts-not listed in the policy-to rebut the presumption in my case. Will you consider those facts, even though they are not mentioned in the policy? +

A. Yes. See Section III. C. of the Policy: Rebuttal Evidence to Support a Change in Tuition Status. Other evidence may be provided; however, that too will be evaluated on its reliability, authenticity, credibility, and relevance.

Q21. When I joined a campus organization for prospective teachers, I became really involved with a group that tutors local children, put in many hours each week there as a volunteer, and plan to continue during the summer and after I graduate. Since I started volunteering there as a school activity, does this mean that none of it counts as evidence of commitment to my community to show that I am living in ϡȱ for more than my education? +

A. Joining a campus organization and participating in activities typical of its members is not evidence of intent to live in ϡȱ primarily for non-educational purposes. However, if the student then becomes involved in specific activities that show an extraordinary commitment of time and effort to the student's community or the State, those activities can be evidence that a student is not primarily in ϡȱ to attend an educational institution.

Q22. How can I learn more about my institution's residency classification information? +

A. If you are interested in learning about a specific institution's classification information, you may contact that institution directly at the number and the email address listed below:


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301-860-3730

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410-951-3700

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410-704-3104

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410-837-4825

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410-706-7480



410-455-2500

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301-314-9596

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240-684-2107

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