Residency Reclassification FAQs

A: Students seeking a review of their initial residency determination may contact Residency Reclassification Services at 301-314-9596 or resclass@umd.edu.

A: To request a change in residency based on the Nonresident Exemption for Eligible Maryland High School Graduates, complete the University System of Maryland Nonresident Tuition Exemption Request For Eligible Maryland High School Graduates and provide the required supporting documentation listed on the form. You can submit this form along with the supporting documents in person or by mail by the first day of classes for the semester you are submitting the request.

A: The Deferred Action of Childhood Arrivals is a type of Deferred Action. First semester students must submit either a copy of their Employment Authorization card (front and back) or a copy of their I-797. In addition, the student must complete the residency information form when they apply to the University. Students must also meet all criteria for in-state status as defined by the USM Policy on Student Classification for Admission and Tuition Purposes. DACA students who have completed at least one semester at College Park must complete the Petition for Change in Residency Status form and submit either a copy of their Employment Authorization card (front and back) or a copy of their I-797

A: Students wishing to apply for a change to in-state status after their initial semester can file a petition for a change in residency classification and must provide all the required supporting documents. Download the Petition for Change in Residency Classification. The required supporting documents are listed within the body of the petition. For your convenience, refer to the Checklist.

A: No. Simply living in Maryland 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 Maryland is certainly important, but it is only one of several requirements established by the Regents. Equally important, for example, are the circumstances that brought you to Maryland and the extent to which you have taken other actions which, in the judgment of the Regents, are minimally needed to demonstrate a reasonable probability you intend to remain in Maryland following graduation and benefit the community. Generally, only this narrowly defined group is granted in-state status.

A: Please review the Board of Regents/University System of Maryland Policy on Student Classification for Admission and Tuition Purposes for all residency reclassification requirements.

A: Yes. A classification decision is based on the facts as they exist at the time you seek reclassification. However, with the passage of time, your personal, professional, and/economic circumstances may have changed. An examination of the facts in your petition for reclassification may now demonstrate you are residing in Maryland for a more complex set of reasons. For example, you may now hold a job in the community; have bought a house here; have a Maryland spouse; or have children in Maryland public schools. You should outline your reasons for living in Maryland as part of your petition for reclassification.

A: There is no formula to rebutting this presumption, rather you must demonstrate that you intend to make Maryland your permanent home and reside in Maryland indefinitely. The policy's section entitled "Rebuttal Evidence," also provides some examples of objectively verifiable conduct upon which the University bases the decision on in-state status. It is important to note that satisfying the minimum civic requirements does not rebut the presumption that you are residing in Maryland primarily for education reasons. Rather, you must provide clear, convincing and objective evidence of your actual primary reason for living in Maryland (e.g. full-time employment, family, etc.)

A: Not necessarily. Again, because you were residing in another state at the time of application, the out-of-state presumption in the classification policy is triggered. Your status will depend on your ability to assemble sufficient facts about yourself to rebut the conclusion that you are now residing in Maryland primarily for the purpose of attending the University. Again, such things as family circumstances, personal relationships, and employment separate from the campus may also have played a role. These will be considered by the University when assessing your primary reason for residing in the state.

A: No. You cannot be classified in-state at Maryland by default. The formula for attaining favored tuition status is different In every state. And although classification policies across the country commonly employ the term "resident," they usually also define it differently. In fact, the policies seldom rely on traditional notions of simple "residency," meaning little more than physical presence or domicile. They present a more rigorous set of objective tests, varying in emphasis depending on the purpose and philosophy of each governing board.

A: Yes. Generally, there is no advantage given persons transferred to Maryland as a condition of employment. The exception in the classification policy is for active duty members of the United States Armed Services.

A: Yes, leaving Maryland for the summer or during semester breaks may jeopardize your reclassification. Every case will be judged individually; however, if you regularly return to a former residence in another state it reasonably suggests you are now residing in Maryland primarily to attend the University.

A: No. Paying all applicable Maryland taxes is just one of the requirements necessary for In-state classification. Taken by itself, paying Maryland taxes will not qualify you for in-state status. Conversely, however, not paying all required taxes will result in an out-of-state classification.

A: These are three of the requirements in the Regents' definition of an in-state student. The classification policy does not weigh the requirements differently. Satisfying each requirement is equally important; neglecting any is potentially disqualifying.

A: Yes, in one situation it may. If you are financially dependent on a person not a resident of Maryland, then the classification policy presumes you are residing in Maryland 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.

A: As part of the compensation package for graduate assistants, the University pays some or all of your tuition through "tuition remission." Graduate assistants receiving remission are billed tuition and fees at the in-state rate. This is just an administrative accounting transaction. It has no relevance or effect on your classification status. Your proper status was indicated on your admission letter. You will always retain that classification unless you successfully petition to have it changed through the established procedures of Residency Reclassification Services. If you were classified as out-of-state, when you no longer receive tuition remission you will be billed at that rate.

A: No. "International students" or "foreign students", meaning 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. International students almost uniformly hold either an "F" or a "J" visa. These visas do not permit them to remain in this country permanently; they must leave when their enrollment ends, and sign a statement to that effect.

"International students" are not to be confused with the broader class of students who simply are not citizens of the United States. The University enrolls many resident (or "immigrant") aliens. Many have lived in the United States for a considerable period of time. They, like citizens, have the legal ability to live permanently without interruption in Maryland. They may be eligible for in-state status.

The University also enrolls many non-resident (or "non-immigrant") aliens. Non-resident aliens living in the United States must hold visas. Depending on the type of visa, a student from a foreign country may well be eligible for in-state status. To discuss whether or not your visa status potentially qualifies for in-state status, please visit Residency Reclassification Services.

A: Your classification is first established by the Admissions Office at the time of admission to the University and is based on information you have provided as part of the application process. If you have not provided this information, or if it is incomplete, you will be assigned out-of-state status. Once admitted to the University, you will retain this classification unless and until you file a successful Petition for Change in Classification for Admission, Tuition, and Charge Differential ("Petition for Change").

A: No. It is your responsibility to know your classification and take timely action to challenge it if you believe it incorrect. A petition for change is granted only prospectively.

A: The deadline is the first day of classes in the semester for which in-state status is sought. By that time, a complete petition for change, with all required supporting documents, must be delivered to Residency Reclassifcation Services. Incomplete petitions will not be accepted or considered.

A: No. While your petition for change is being considered, you are responsible for paying your entire out-of-state bill on time. If your petition is granted, you will be credited with the tuition differential.

A: No. The Board of Regents does not permit exceptions on account of personal financial hardship. The Board of Regents has, however, authorized an assignment of in-state status to some groups of persons regardless of the criteria. Relevant to the University, these are:

1. Full-time or part-time (50% time or more) regular employees of the University.
2. The spouse or dependent child of the above employees.
3. Certain full-time active duty members of the United States armed forces and their spouses and dependent children.
4. Current active members of the Maryland National Guard.
5. Certain honorably discharged members of the Armed Forces of the United States.
6. Graduate assistants during the term of their appointment.

You must read the classification policy to learn the requirements of each exception.

The Board of Regents has also authorized the President of the University to waive any of the criteria if he determines "the student is indeed in-state and the application of the criteria creates an unjust result." Waivers are rarely granted by the President. Financial hardship is not an authorized basis for a Presidential waiver.

A: Yes, there are two levels of appeal following the decision of the Residency Classification Evaluator. The first level is to the Residency Review Committee and the second and final level is to the President (or Designee). Please see Residency Reclassification Procedures for more information.

A: No. At every level of the petition process, including appeals, your documentation is carefully considered. Appeals are meant for you to bring additional information that supports your case and your inability to meet the policy requirements for the requisite 12 month period. By appealing, you do not earn automatic approval for in-state status. Appeals are warranted if, and only if, a student provides sufficient documentation (as determined by appeal designates) of a rare, unforeseen and/or compelling circumstance that precludes them from meeting any or all of the policy criteria.

A: You may contact Residency Reclassification Services at resclass@umd.edu or (301) 314-9596. You may also visit the Office in Room 1130, Mitchell Building.