Residency

In-state or out-of-state residency status will determine a student’s tuition rate. Tuition rates for both statuses can be obtained from Student Business Services. Residency status is first established during the admissions process.

If you have questions regarding your residency classification after reading through the information below, please contact our residency specialist.

Select one of the following links to Learn More:

University System of Maryland Policy Newly Admitted Students Continuing Students

University System of Maryland (USM) Policy

Defining In-State Residency Status

UMBC, as part of the University System of Maryland (USM), defines in-state status according to the USM Policy on Student Classification for Admission and Tuition Purposes (the “Policy”). In-state status is granted to students who, for at least twelve (12) consecutive months immediately prior to and including the last date available to register for courses in the semester/term for which the student seeks in-state tuition status, has the continuous intent :

  1. Make Maryland his or her permanent home; and
  2. Abandon his or her former home state; and
  3. Reside in Maryland indefinitely; and
  4. Reside in Maryland primarily for a purpose other than that of attending an educational institution in Maryland.

-OR-

Students with out-of-state classification who have the following status will temporarily be classified in-state:

  • a full-time or part-time (at least 50%) regular employee of the USM or a USM institution, or the spouse or financially dependent child of the employee,.
  • an active duty member of the Armed Forces of the U.S., including the reserves thereof, who is stationed in Maryland, resides in Maryland, or is domiciled in Maryland, and the spouse or a financially dependent child of that active duty member.
  • a veteran of the Armed Forces of the U.S. who provides documentation that they were honorably discharged and currently resides or is domiciled in Maryland.
  • a veteran who qualifies under 38.U.S.C.A. § 3679(c).
  • anyone who lives in Maryland and qualifies under 38.U.S.C.A. § 3679(c).
  • a member of the Maryland National Guard, as defined in the Public Safety Article, who joined or serves to: (i) provide a critical military occupational skill, or (ii) be a member of the Air Force Critical Specialty Code.
  • A graduate student appointed through the University for the semester of the appointment.

(see Policy for details regarding these temporary re-classifications)

Newly Admitted Students

For newly admitted students temporarily classified as out-of-state (in accordance with the Policy) due to missing information on the residency section of your Admissions Application, please complete this form as soon as soon as possible prior to enrollment.

Current Continuing Students

Current continuing students who wish to seek a change to their residency status determination are to follow the steps below:

How to File a Petition

Once initial residency classification has been determined, reclassification can be requested through a Petition process. Follow these steps:

  1. Read the USM Policy on Student Classification for Admission and Tuition Purposes and consider whether you meet the requirements.
  2. Download and complete the Residency Petition making sure to collect and include all required documentation.
  3. Initiate the Petition process by submitting your request for instructions HERE. You will be provided with further instructions. Do not try to submit your Petition, until you receive these further instructions which will include a secure process for submission.  Requests/Petitions submitted by U.S. Mail or submitted in-person will not be accepted or reviewed.

Residency Petitions, along with all required documentation, must be submitted by the last date of late registration in the semester for which you wish to be reclassified. Financially dependent students must have their Petition signed by their parent/guardian/spouse and notarized. Note that certified State of Maryland Comptroller copies of tax returns are required.

The review of the Petition and a determination may take up to six (6) weeks from the time a completed request is received. While Petitions are under review, student petitioners are required to make full tuition payment at the out-of-state rate. If the University determines that the student meets all of the requirements for in-state residency, the student’s billing rate will be changed to in-state and a refund or account credit will be issued as appropriate for the current semester. Residency Petitions cannot be requested or approved retroactively for previous semesters.

This overview does not supersede or amend any part of the USM Policy on Student Classification for Admission and Tuition Purposes.

How to Appeal the Petition Decision

There are two levels of appeal:

  1. A student who has been denied reclassification after submitting a Petition may appeal that decision to the Campus Classification Officer. This request must be received no later than fifteen (15) working days from the date of the Residency Evaluator’s written denial of the Petition. Failure to appeal within fifteen (15) working days will mean that the Residency Evaluator’s decision is final and no appeal will be reviewed, no secondary decision will be made, and the denial will be maintained until the student files a successful Petition. If an approval is granted, a refund or account credit will be issued as appropriate.
  2. A student who has been denied reclassification by the Campus Classification Officer may file a written appeal with the Residency Appeals Committee within fifteen (15) working days. This request must be received no later than fifteen (15) working days from the date of the Campus Classification Officer’s written denial of the appeal. Failure to appeal within fifteen (15) working days will mean that the Campus Classification Officer’s decision is final and no appeal will be reviewed and the denial will be maintained until the student files a successful Petition. If an approval is granted, a refund or account credit will be issued as appropriate. The decision of the Residency Appeals Committee is final and no further appeals will be accepted.

Nonresident Tuition Exemption

How to Request the Nonresident Exemption for Eligible Maryland High School Graduates

To request an exemption from the USM Policy on Student Classification for Admission and Tuition Purposes based on the Nonresident Tuition Exemption for Eligible Maryland High School Graduates, click HERE to submit your request and to receive instructions for uploading your Nonresident Tuition Exemption documentation.  Requests submitted by U.S. Mail or submitted in person will not be accepted or reviewed. The Nonresident Tuition Exemption request and all required documentation must be submitted by the last date of late registration in the semester for which you wish to be awarded the exemption.  Please be aware that tax returns submitted must be the Comptroller’s copies of tax returns.

The review of the Nonresident Tuition Exemption for Eligible Maryland High School Graduates and a determination may take up to six (6) weeks from the time a completed request is received. While requests are under review, student petitioners are required to make full tuition payment at the out-of-state rate. If the University determines that the student meets all of the requirements for the exemption, the student’s billing rate will be changed to in-state and a refund or account credit will be issued as appropriate for the current semester. Nonresident Tuition Exemption cannot be requested or approved retroactively for previous semesters.  

This overview does not supersede or amend any part of the USM Policy on Student Classification for Admission and Tuition Purposes.