Residency Exemptions

The USM Residency Policy allows exemptions for certain out-of-state students to be temporarily classified as in-state for tuition purposes. Students who believe they may qualify for one of the below exemptions should submit an RT Ticket to Residency, unless otherwise noted. Documentation will be requested to confirm a student meets any exemption. All requests and supporting documentation are due by the last day to register for the semester in which the student seeks the exemption.

Please refer to the USM Residency Policy for the complete and updated list of Policy exemptions. The below overview does not supersede or amend any part of the Policy.

A full-time or part-time (at least 50 percent) regular employee of USM or a USM institution, their spouses and dependents.

Please note: contractual employees and student workers do not qualify for this exemption. 

Additional information regarding the type of documentation requested for the above USM Employee exemption can be found HERE. UMBC employees can request their employment verification letters by emailing hrstm@umbc.edu.

  • An active-duty member of the US armed forces who is stationed in Maryland, declares Maryland their home of residency, or resides in Maryland; or their spouse or financially dependent child.
  • A veteran of the US armed forces who was honorably discharged, and currently resides in or is domiciled in Maryland.
  • A veteran who lives in Maryland and was discharged from a period of at least 90 days of service in the active military, naval, or air service and is utilizing VA educational benefits under the Montgomery G.I. Bill or Post-9/11 G.I. Bill.
  • Anyone who lives in Maryland and:
    1. Is using transferred Post-9/11 G.I. Bill benefits and enrolls after the transferor’s discharge of at least 90 days of service in the active military, naval, or air service;
    2. Is using transferred Post-9/11 G.I. Bill benefits and the transferor is an active-duty military servicemember;
    3. Is using benefits until the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship;
    4. Is using Chapter 35 benefits;
    5. Is entitled to rehabilitation under 38 U.S.C. §3102(a)
  • A member of the Maryland National Guard who 1) provides a critical military occupational skill, or 2) is a member of the Air Force Critical Specialty Code as determined by the National Guard.

Additional information regarding the type of documentation requested for the above military exemptions can be found HERE.

A graduate assistant, as a benefit of their assistantship (only while awarded the assistantship)

For questions, please contact the Graduate School.

A full-time public school teacher in the first year of employment by a Maryland local education agency who resides in Maryland and meets the criteria for a residency waiver under §15.106.2 of the Annotated Code of Maryland, Education Article.

A child of a Maryland public safety employee who is entitled to a scholarship under The Edward T. Conroy and Jean B. Cryor Scholarship Fund.

A person who completed all service hours in an AmeriCorps program in Maryland or who completed a service program under the Maryland Corps Program.

UMBC will request proof of AmeriCorps completion of service hours, indicating service occurred in Maryland; and proof of living in Maryland, such as a deed or lease.

A person who has been certified by the Director of the Peace Corps as having served satisfactorily as a Peace Corps volunteer, and who resides in Maryland.

UMBC will request the student’s Certification of Peace Corps Service satisfaction and proof of living in Maryland, such as a deed or lease.

The parent(s) of a deaf or hard of hearing child, taking one course that teaches a language or mode of communication relevant to communicating with their child.

Individuals, including undocumented immigrants, who do not meet the definition of nonimmigrant alien within the meaning 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(15) and who meet all the criteria in § 15-106.8 of the Education Article, Annotated Code of Maryland.

More information about the NTE Request can be found HERE.

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 Maryland, 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
Maryland.

UMBC will request a copy of the service member’s OF-126 form.

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).

UMBC will request proof of citizenship.

The above overview does not supersede or amend any part of the USM Policy on Student Classification for Admission and Tuition Purposes. Additional documentation may be requested or required.

Submit Help Ticket for Exemption Consideration