Proximity = Savings for Students

Beginning next fall, Southern New Hampshire students living within 20 miles of UMass Lowell can save more than $6,000 per year on the cost of their education.

For 2007-2008, out-of-state tuition and fees total just over $20,000 annually. Under the proximity program, qualified students would pay just under $14,000 annually.  Tuition and fees have not been set for the 2008-2009 academic year.

“This is a win-win program,” says Thomas Taylor, dean of Enrollment Management and Student Success. “We are reaching out more effectively to students across our region, which does not stop at the state border, and also offering a reduced cost to highly qualified students for whom UMass Lowell is a great option.

“We think this program will be an attractive choice for New Hampshire students who want to live at home while attending college, but who live too far from an in-state campus to commute,” says Taylor. 

Participating students are eligible for on-campus housing after their first semester.

The new Proximity Regional Rate program is based on a provision of the New England Board of Higher Education Regional Student Program, which offers reduced tuition and fees to out-of-state students studying a major not offered at their home-state campus.  UMass Lowell’s proximity rate uses Regional Student Program tuition and out-of-state fees, providing participating students with a reduction of about $6,000 a year.

Qualifying towns – all 20 miles or closer to UML – include Atkinson, Brookline, Derry, Hollis, Hudson, Litchfield, Londonderry, Merrimack, Nashua, Pelham, Salem and Windham.  However, students in Derry, Litchfield, Londonderry and Merrimack may only choose from majors not offered at UNH-Manchester. Excluded majors for these students include English, History, Psychology, Nursing and Undeclared.  Students in the other eight qualifying towns are eligible for all majors.

Proximity rates will apply to the 100-plus returning students whose hometowns qualify.  The new program does not change the status of New Hampshire students in programs eligible for the New England Regional Program rate. Those majors are Community Health Education, Meteorology, Music Business, Education, Nuclear Engineering, Plastics Engineering, Radiological Health Physics and Sound Recording Technology.

Proximity Regional Rates also apply to Graduate Programs.