UMass Boston

Classification of Residency

Your residency status, in-state, out-of-state/international, or New England Regional Student Program, is determined through the admissions process, based on the information you provide on your application. A student’s residency status determines their tuition and fee billing rates. Massachusetts residents are eligible for in-state tuition and fee billing rates at Massachusetts public higher education institutions. Residency status does not typically change for the duration of your studies. Exceptions to this are outlined in the Residency Reclassification Application (see link in box below).

The rules and regulations surrounding residency in Massachusetts are set by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education. If a person relocates to Massachusetts to attend a college or university, this action supports the intent to pursue an education, but it is not considered intent to establish residency for tuition and fees purposes. The regulations state "residency is not acquired by mere physical presence in Massachusetts while the person is enrolled in an institution of higher education." To be reclassified as a resident, an enrolled student must live in Massachusetts as a "traditional resident" (not a student) for 12 months immediately preceding his/her enrollment or re-enrollment to attend an institution of higher education. However, there are some circumstances where a student may apply for a change in residency and, with appropriate documentation, be approved for a change in residency status.

For questions about residency status as a prospective student, or as an admitted student who has not yet started classes, please contact either Undergraduate Admissions or Graduate Admissions. The information below about residency reclassification applies to current and returning/readmitted students.

Residency Reclassification

Current or returning/readmitted students who consider that they meet exceptions to the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education’s residency classification rules can check on details of exceptions and apply for residency reclassification by completing the Residency Reclassification Application (see link in box below). Applicants for residency reclassification are responsible for submitting all documentation to support a claim. The final decision will be based solely on the submitted documentation with qualitative rather than quantitative emphasis. A number of factors are required to determine residency. No single document is decisive. The burden of proof rests on the student seeking reclassification.

Residency Reclassification Application

Residency reclassification applications from currently enrolled students, or students reenrolling after a period away from the university, are received and reviewed by the Provost’s Office and as needed, the Residency Appeals Committee. At the bottom of this page are FAQs that include two categories: (1) questions about qualifying circumstances for reclassification, and (2) questions about the reclassification application.

The most common circumstances that qualify for residency reclassification are:

• The student qualifies based on their relationship to a third party, a parent/legal guardian or spouse, who meets the residency requirements, or
• The student takes a break in enrollment of 12 months and remains in Massachusetts as a traditional resident (not a student), supporting themselves independently during that time, and can provide appropriate confirming documentation.

We also proudly welcome U.S. military active duty members and veterans and their family members who qualify:

• Members of the U.S. Armed Forces who are stationed in Massachusetts on active duty, pursuant to military orders, and the member’s spouse and dependent children, are eligible for in-state residency classification.
• Eligible participants in the Massachusetts National Guard 100% Tuition and Fee Waiver program and the Welcome Home Bonus are considered Massachusetts residents for tuition purposes (even if their home residence is in another state), however, this may not be the case for Financial Aid purposes; please contact the Financial Aid office for more information.
• In accordance with the Veteran’s Access Choice & Accountability Act of 2014, military veterans, spouses, and dependents residing in Massachusetts are eligible for in-state residency classification if they begin classes within 3 years after the veteran has been discharged from active duty with more than 90 days of service.

Submission and review of residency reclassification applications

Any student who, after reviewing all the details regarding Massachusetts residency for this purpose, feels that they have a basis to request a residency reclassification should submit that request by the deadline date for that semester (the first day of classes). A request for a reclassification consists of the Residency Reclassification Application (see link in box above) and all requested supporting documentation that is attached to it. 

The Residency Reclassification Application (see link in box above) is a form that is submitted via the DocuSign process. As part of the form, you will be asked to upload documentation. You will need to prepare a single file to upload your documents. It is not possible to upload multiple pages individually.

In order to provide proof of filing U.S. taxes,  print your IRS tax record (called a transcript) via a request online or by mail at this IRS website: https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript.

All questions regarding residency reclassification should be sent to residency@umb.edu.