Classification of Residency 

RESIDENCY STATUS FOR TUITION CLASSIFICATION PURPOSES
Massachusetts Department of Higher Education (previously known as the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education) - effective July 1, 2007

 
These rules and regulations apply to the classification of students at the public institutions of higher education as Massachusetts or non-Massachusetts residents for tuition and fee purposes.
 

1.3 “Eligible person” shall mean, a U.S. citizen, lawful immigrant, permanent resident, or holder of another legal immigration status, who has satisfied the durational residency requirement and can demonstrate his/her intent to remain in Massachusetts.

1.3.1 UMass Lowell Supplement – Eligibility is also extended to applicants who hold a receipt for case I-485 (application to adjust to permanent resident status), listed on USCIS Form I-797, Notice of Action;   

1.4 “Emancipated person” shall mean, a person who has attained the age of 18 years and is financially independent of his or her parents, or, if under 18 years of age, (a) whose parents have entirely surrendered the right to the care, custody, and earnings of such person and who no longer are under any legal obligation to support or maintain such person; or (b) a person who is legally married; or (c) a person who has no parent. If none of the aforesaid definitions applies, said person shall be deemed an “unemancipated person.”

(a) Birth certificate or any other legal document that shows place and date of birth;
(b) Legal guardianship papers – court appointment and termination must be submitted;
(c) Statement of the person, his or her parent(s), guardian(s), or others certifying no financial support;
(d) Certified copies of federal and state income tax returns filed by the person and his or her parent(s).

UMass Lowell Supplement – Allow as much as 90 days for these documents to be received. The Massachusetts income tax returns must identified the parent(s) as full-year resident(s).  In lieu of certified copies, the applicant may submit copies of federal and state income tax returns certified by a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

(e) Copies of applications for federal financial aid; or
(f) Where none of the foregoing can be provided, an affidavit of the emancipated person in explanation thereof and stating fully the grounds supporting the claim of emancipation.

a) the person’s father and mother, jointly;
b) if the person’s father is deceased, the person’s mother; if the person’s mother is deceased, the person’s father;
c) if a legal guardian has been appointed by a court having jurisdiction, the legal guardian;
d) if neither the father nor mother is living and no legal guardian has been appointed, the person who then stands in loco parentis to the person;
e) if the father and mother are divorced, separated or unmarried, the parent who has been awarded legal custody of the person; or, if legal custody has not been awarded, the parent with whom the person lives.

UMass Lowell Supplement – In the case of divorced parents, and the non-custodial parent is the Massachusetts resident, we will grant residency to the student if there is documented financial responsibility on the part of the non-custodial parent for the college education of the student. Residency requirements have to be met on the part of the parent claiming Massachusetts residency, and documentation is required to support the claim of residency.

With respect to any adopted student, the word “adoptive” should be inserted before the words “father” and “mother” wherever used.

3.1 Proof of Residency

1) For unemancipated persons, the residency of parents, having custody, within Massachusetts;

2) Certified copies of federal and state income tax returns;

3) Permanent employment in a position not normally filled by a student;

4) Reliance on Massachusetts sources for financial support;

5) Possession of a Massachusetts high school diploma;

6) Continuous physical presence in Massachusetts during periods when not an enrolled student;

7) Military home of record; and

8) All other material of whatever kind or source which may have a bearing on determining residency.

3.2 Eligibility

1) Any person who is registered at an institution as a Massachusetts resident shall be eligible for continued classification as a Massachusetts resident for tuition purposes (until attainment of the degree for which he or she is enrolled) during continuous attendance at the institution.

 

2) The spouse of any person who is classified or is eligible for classification as a Massachusetts resident is likewise eligible for classification as a Massachusetts resident. This provision will not apply in the case of a spouse in the United States on a non-immigrant visa.

 

3) A person who is a lawful immigrant or permanent resident of the United States, or is eligible to apply and has applied for such status.

3.1) UMass Lowell Supplement - a holder of USCIS Case I-485 is eligible to be considered for reclassification to Massachusetts resident for tuition purposes provided that he/she meets the same requirements for establishing residency in Massachusetts as are required of a United States citizen.

Non-citizens who are in, or who are eligible to apply and who have applied for, refugee/asylum status are likewise eligible to be considered for Massachusetts residency for tuition purposes provided that they meet the same requirements for establishing residency in Massachusetts as are required of a United States citizen. All non-citizens must provide appropriate United States Citizenship and Immigration Services documentation to verify their status.
 
4) Those students whose higher education pursuits are funded by the Department of Institutional Assistance, the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, or any of the other Commonwealth of Massachusetts public assistance programs.

 

4.1) UMass Lowell Supplement – Participants in the Massachusetts National Guard 100% Tuition and Fee Waiver Program are considered Massachusetts residents for tuition purposes.   This program is funded by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

5) A member of the Armed Forces of the United States who is stationed in Massachusetts on active duty pursuant to military orders, his or her spouse and dependent children. A person does not gain or lose in state status solely by reason of his or her presence in any state or country while a member of the Armed Forces of the United States.

5.1) UMass Lowell Supplement – A member of the Armed Forces will be considered a resident if Massachusetts is identified as his/her “Home of Record” or “State of Legal Residence Certificate” or similar.  This applies immediately upon honorable discharge but before establishment of residency in another state.

6) Full time faculty, professional staff, and classified staff employees of the public higher education system and their spouses and dependent students.

4.1 Reclassification: A student may at any time request the institution to reclassify him or her as a Massachusetts resident if the factual basis for his or her classification as a nonresident has changed. To do so, the student shall submit a “Residency Reclassification Form” to the appropriate office of the institution for its review and final classification as a resident or a non-resident student.

UMass Lowell Supplement - In order to apply to a specific semester, the residency reclassification application, and all supporting information, must be notarized and filed by:

August 1st - Submission of complete residency reclassification application package for the following Fall semester.   Visit the Eligibility section for exceptions.

December 1st - Submission of complete residency reclassification application package for the following Spring semester.  Visit the Eligibility section for exceptions.

There is no retroactive review of residency.  If delivered after the deadlines, the residency reclassification decision(s) will apply to subsequent semesters.  The application for reclassification must be delivered or mailed to the Residency Reclassification Officer as follows:

 

Héctor E. Malavé
Coordinator of Admissions Special Services
UMass Lowell
Dugan Hall, Suite 110
883 Broadway Street
Lowell, MA 01854

4.2 Appeals: A student or applicant may appeal the institution’s final decision to deny his or her classification (or reclassification) as a non-resident by filing an appeal through the appeal process established by the institution within 30 calendar days of the decisions under appeal. The decision on appeal is final and may not be appealed further.

UMass Lowell Supplement - Submit the appeal letter and additional documentation to:

 

Residency Reclassification Appeals Committee
Attn: Dean Tom Taylor
Office of Enrollment & Student Success
883 Broadway Street
Dugan Hall 104
Lowell, MA 01854-5129

4.3 Tuition Deadlines: All deadlines for the payment of tuitions, fees, and other financial obligations to the institution remain in force during the pendency of any request for reclassification or any appeal.