Appendix C: VIII-2.70 Policy on Student Classification for Admission and Tuition Purposes

2. Qualification for In-State Status

Generally, in order to qualify for in-state status, prospective, returning or current students must demonstrate that they are a permanent Maryland resident. Under certain circumstances, as set forth in this Policy, students who are not permanent Maryland residents may qualify temporarily for in-state status. Students who do not qualify for in-state status under this policy shall be assigned out-of-state status for admission and tuition purposes.

3. Standard of Proof

Students seeking in-state status shall have the burden of proving by clear and convincing evidence that they satisfy the requirements and standards set forth in this Policy. Assignment of in-state or out-of-state status will be made by each USM institution upon review of the totality of facts known or presented to it by the student.

II. DETERMINATION OF RESIDENCY STATUS

1. Criteria for Determination of Residency Status

An initial determination of residency status will be made at the time of admission and readmission based upon information provided by the student with the signed application certifying that the information provided is complete and correct. Additional information may be requested by the institution, to clarify facts presented. To qualify for in-state status, the student must demonstrate that for at least 12 consecutive months immediately prior to and including the last date available to register for courses for the semester/term for which the student seeks in-state status, the student had the continuous intent to reside in Maryland indefinitely and for a primary purpose other than that of attending an educational institution in Maryland. The student will demonstrate the requisite intent by satisfying all the following requirements for the 12-month period (or shorter period indicated):     

1. Has continuously maintained primary living quarters in Maryland. 
2. Has substantially all personal property, such as household effects, furniture and pets in Maryland.
3. Has paid Maryland income tax on all taxable income, including all taxable income earned outside Maryland, and has filed a Maryland Resident Tax Return. If the student is a dependent for tax purposes, then the person who claims the student as a dependent shall have paid Maryland income tax on all taxable income, including all taxable income earned outside Maryland, and have filed a Maryland Resident Tax Return. 
4. Has registered all owned or leased motor vehicles in Maryland for at least 12 consecutive months, if previously registered in another state. Students who have lived in Maryland for at least 12 consecutive months but who have had their motor vehicles(s) registered in Maryland 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 Maryland within 60 days after moving to the state in accordance with Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration requirements.
5. Has possessed a valid Maryland driver's license for at least 12 consecutive months, if previously licensed to drive in another state. Students who have lived in Maryland for at least 12 consecutive months but who have held a Maryland driver's 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 Maryland within 60 days after moving to the state in accordance with Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration requirements.
6. Receives no public assistance from a state other than the State of Maryland or from a city, county, or municipal agency other than one in Maryland.
7. Has the ability under Federal and Maryland law to live permanently and without interruption in Maryland.

2. Presumption of Out-of-State Status

Either of the following circumstances raises a presumption that the student is residing in the State of Maryland primarily for the purpose of attending an educational institution and therefore does not qualify for in-state status under this Policy:

1. A student is attending school or living outside Maryland at the time of application for admission to a USM institution, or
2. A student is Financially Dependent on a person who is not a resident of Maryland. A student will be considered financially independent if the student provides 50% or more of the student's own living and educational expenses and has not been claimed as a dependent on another person's most recent tax returns.

III. CHANGE IN CLASSIFICATION FOR TUITION PURPOSES

1. Petition for Change in Classification for Tuition Purposes

After the initial determination is made, a student seeking a change to in-state tuition status must submit a Petition for Change in Classification for Tuition Purposes that includes all of the information the student wishes the institution to consider. All information must be submitted by the institution's deadline for submitting a petition; before or within the semester for which the student seeks reclassification. Only one Petition may be filed per semester.

2. Criteria for Changes in Tuition Status

A student seeking reclassification from out-of-state to in-state tuition status must demonstrate, by clear and convincing evidence, that for at least twelve (12) consecutive months immediately prior to and including the last date available to register for courses for the semester/term for which the student seeks in-state tuition status, the student had the continuous intent to

a. make Maryland their permanent home;

b. abandon their former home state;

c. reside in Maryland indefinitely; and

d. reside in Maryland primarily for a purpose other than that of attending an educational institution in Maryland.

A student will demonstrate the requisite intent by satisfying all the following requirements for a period of at least twelve (12) consecutive months (or for the shorter period of time indicated) 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. Evidence of intent must be clear and convincing and will be evaluated not only by how completely the criteria are addressed, but also based upon the reliability, authenticity, credibility, and relevance of the evidence and the totality of facts known to the institution. Students must demonstrate (providing appropriate documentation as necessary) that for the relevant period the student:

1. Continuously maintained primary living quarters in Maryland.
2. Has substantially all of their personal property, such as household effects, furniture, and pets, in Maryland.
3. Has paid Maryland income tax on all taxable income including all taxable income earned outside the State and has filed a Maryland Resident Tax Return. If the student is a dependent for tax purposes, then the person who claims the student as a dependent shall have paid Maryland income tax on all taxable income, including all taxable income earned outside Maryland, and have filed a Maryland Resident Tax Return.
4. Has registered all owned or leased motor vehicles in Maryland for at least 12 consecutive months, if previously registered in another state. Students who have been living in Maryland for at least 12 consecutive months but who have had their motor vehicle(s) registered in Maryland 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 Maryland within 60 days after moving to the state in accordance with Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration requirements.
5. Has possessed a valid Maryland driver's license for at least 12 consecutive months, if previously licensed to drive in another state. Students who have lived in Maryland for at least 12 consecutive months but who have held a Maryland driver's 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 Maryland within 60 days after moving to the state in accordance with Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration requirements.
6. Receives no public assistance from a state other than the State of Maryland or from a city, county, or municipal agency other than one in Maryland.
7. Has the ability under Federal and Maryland law to live permanently without interruption in Maryland.
8. Has either not raised the presumption set forth in Section II.B; or, alternatively, if the student's circumstances have raised the presumption set forth in Section II.B above, the student has rebutted that presumption.

3. Rebuttal Evidence to Support a Change in Tuition Status

If the information received by the institution about the student has raised the presumption set forth in Section II.B, the student bears the burden of rebutting the presumption set forth in Section II.B. by presenting additional evidence of objectively verifiable conduct to rebut the presumption and show the requisite intent. Rebuttal evidence of intent must be clear and convincing and will be evaluated not only by how completely the criteria are addressed, but also based upon the reliability, authenticity, credibility and relevance of the evidence and the totality of facts known to the institution.

Evidence that does not document a period of 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 is generally considered an unfavorable factor under this Policy. The absence of objective, relevant evidence is generally considered an unfavorable factor. A student's statement of intent to remain in Maryland in the future is generally not considered to be objective evidence under this Policy.

For purposes of rebutting the presumption, additional evidence that will be considered includes, but is not limited to:

1. Source of financial support:

1. Maryland employment and earnings history through sources beyond those incident to enrollment as a student in an educational institution e.g., beyond support provided by work study, scholarships, grants, stipends, aid, student loans, etc. (Tuition costs will be considered as a student expense only to the extent tuition exceeds the amount of any educational scholarships, grants, student loans, etc.), or
2. Evidence the student is Financially Dependent, for the previous 12 months, upon a person who is a resident of Maryland.

2. Substantial participation as a member of a professional, social, community, civic, political, athletic or religious organization in Maryland including professionally related school activities that demonstrate commitment to the student's community or to the State of Maryland.
3. Registration as a Maryland resident with the Selective Service, if applicable.
4. Evidence that the student is married to a Maryland resident.
5. Evidence that the student attended schools in Maryland for grades K-12.
6. Evidence showing the student uses their Maryland address as their sole address of record for all purposes including on health and auto insurance records, bank account, tax records, loan and scholarship records, school records, military records, leases etc.
7. An affidavit from a person unrelated to the student that provides objective, relevant evidence of a student's conduct demonstrating the student's intent to reside in Maryland primarily for a purpose other than that of attending an educational institution in Maryland.
8. Evidence of life and employment changes that caused the student to relocate to Maryland for reasons other than primarily educational purposes (e.g. divorce, family relocation, taking care of a sick family member, etc.).
9. Voter registration in Maryland.

4. Appeal

A student may appeal an adverse decision on a Petition for Change in Classification.

5. Change in Circumstances Altering In-State Status

The student shall notify the USM institution in writing within fifteen (15) days of any change in circumstances which may alter in-state status. Failure to do so could result in retroactive charges for each semester/term affected.

6. Incomplete, Untimely, False or Misleading Information

If necessary information is not provided by the institution's deadline, the USM institution may, at its discretion, deny or revoke in-state status. In the event incomplete, false, or misleading information is presented, the USM institution may, at its discretion, revoke in-state status and take disciplinary action provided for by the institution's policies. Such action may include suspension or expulsion. In such cases, the institution reserves the right to retroactively assess all out-of-state charges for each semester/term affected.

IV. CRITERIA FOR TEMPORARY QUALIFICATION OF NON-RESIDENTS FOR IN-STATE STATUS 

Non-residents with the following status shall be accorded the benefits of in-state status for the period in which they hold such status, if they provide clear and convincing evidence through documentation, by the institution's deadline for the semester for which they seek in-state status, showing that they fall within one of the following categories:

1. A full-time or part-time (at least 50 percent time) regular employee of USM or a USM institution.
2. The spouse or Financially Dependent child of a full-time or part-time (at least 50 percent time) regular employee of USM or a USM institution.
3. Active duty members of the Armed Forces of the United States as defined in 38 U.S.C.A. §101(10) as the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard, including the reserve components thereof, who is stationed in Maryland, resides in Maryland, or is domiciled in Maryland, or his/her spouse or a financially dependent child of that active duty member. Spouses and children who qualify for exemptions under this provision will retain in-state status for tuition purposes as long as they are continuously enrolled, regardless of whether the active duty member’s station assignment, residence, or domicile remains in Maryland.²
4. Veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States who provide documentation that they were honorably discharged and currently reside or are domiciled in Maryland, as provided in §15-106.4 of the Education Article, Annotated Code of Maryland.³
5. Veterans who live in Maryland 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 (38 U.S.C. §3001) or The Post 9/11 G.I. Bill (38 U.S.C. §3301).⁴        

A veteran so described will continue to retain in-state status if the veteran is using educational benefits under either chapter 30 or chapter 33 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.

6. Anyone who lives in Maryland, and:

1. Is using transferred Post-9/11 G.I. Bill benefits (38 U.S.C. §3319) and enrolls after the transferor's discharge or release from a period of at least 90 days of service in the active military, navy or air service; or
2. Is using transferred Post-9/11 G.I. Bill benefits (38 U.S.C. §3319) and the transferor is a member of the uniformed services who is serving on active duty; or
3. Is using benefits under the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship  (38 U.S.C. §3311(b) (9))⁵ ; or
4. Is using benefits through the Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program (DEA), (38 U.S.C. chapter 35) or
5. 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 Maryland National Guard, as defined in the Public Safety Article of the Maryland Annotated Code, who joined or subsequently serves in the Maryland National Guard to: (i) provide a critical military occupational skill; or (ii) be a member of the Air Force Critical Specialty Code as determined by the National Guard. (Maryland 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 the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces of the United States on active duty.
9. A graduate assistant appointed through a USM institution for the semester/term of the appointment. Except through prior arrangement, this benefit is available only for enrollment at the institution awarding the assistantship.
10. 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 in §15-106.2 of the Education Article, Annotated Code of Maryland.
11. The child of a Maryland 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 Maryland.
12. A person who has completed all service hours in an AmeriCorps Program in Maryland or who has completed a service program under the Maryland Corps Program, pursuant to Title 9, subtitle 28 of the State Government Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, as provided in §15-106.9 of the Education Article, Annotated Code of Maryland.
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 Maryland, as provided in §15-106.11 of the Education Article, Annotated Code of Maryland.
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 Maryland.
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 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. 
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).

GI Bill is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by the VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

V. ADDITIONAL PROCEDURES

Each USM institution shall develop and publish additional procedures to implement this Policy. Procedures shall provide that upon request, the institution's President or designee has the authority to waive any of the requirements in Section II or III if it is determined that its application creates an unjust result. These procedures shall be filed with the Office of the Chancellor. The institution may require that a student file a petition under Section III.A and complete the petition process before requesting a waiver under this section.

VI. DEFINITIONS

1. Financially Dependent: For the purposes of this Policy, 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 Maryland. 
2. Financially Independent: For the purposes of this Policy, a financially independent student is one who provides 50% or more of their own living and educational expenses and has not been claimed as a dependent on another person's most recent tax return.
3. Parent: A parent may be a natural parent, or, if established by court order recognized under the law of the State of Maryland, an adoptive parent.
4. Guardian: A guardian is a person so appointed by a court order recognized under the laws of the State of Maryland.
5. Spouse: A spouse is a partner in a legally contracted marriage.
6. Child: A child is a natural child or a child legally adopted pursuant to a court order recognized under the law of Maryland.
7. Regular Employee: A regular employee is a person employed by USM or a USM institution who is assigned to a State budget line or who is otherwise eligible to enroll in a State retirement system. Examples of categories NOT considered regular employees are graduate students, contingent employees, and independent contractors.
8. Continuous Enrollment for undergraduate, graduate, and professional students is defined by the institution in accordance with institutional and program requirements.
9. Armed Forces of the United States: As defined in 38 U.S.C.A. §101(10) as the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard, including the reserve components thereof.
10. Uniformed Services of the United States: As defined in 38 U.S.C. §3319, Armed Forces and the Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and of the Public Health Service.
11. Foreign Service of the United States as defined in 22 U.S.C. §3903.