FAQs: Residency Reclassification
Yes. If you are financially dependent on a person who is 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 can present evidence to rebut this presumption, but if you are not successful, you will be assigned out-of-state status.
Your classification is first established at the time of admission to UMGC. It is determined based on information you provided as part of the application process. Because the burden of demonstrating entitlement to in-state status rests with you, 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. This change is not automatic; it must be initiated by a timely Petition for Change in Classification.
You are required to submit the petition by the last day of registration for a semester or session (earlier is preferable) to be considered for in-state status for that semester or session. Learn more about changing your residency status and view the graduate and undergraduate academic calendars in the Current Students section.
No. The Board of Regents does not permit exceptions on the basis of personal financial hardship. The Board of Regents, however, has authorized an assignment of in-state status to some groups of persons regardless of the nine criteria. Relevant to UMGC, these are
- Full-time or part-time (50 percent time or more) regular employees of UMGC
- The spouse or dependent child of the above employees
- Certain veterans of the armed forces of the United States and their family members
- Graduate assistants during the term of their appointment
Should a change in your status be made, the tuition due during the semester of the petition will be adjusted in your student account. No requests are accepted for retroactive changes for prior semesters.
In addition to needing the information to determine financial dependence, it is important, on occasion, to use the income and expense information to clarify answers given in a petition.
The Residency Office needs all of the documentation listed on the form in order to verify the assertions you have made in your petition.
Not necessarily. You can qualify for in-state tuition status in this situation if you have satisfied the other eight criteria as outlined in the residency policy.
Yes. Other evidence can be provided and will be evaluated on its reliability, authenticity, credibility, and relevance.