Residency Reclassification

Classification of residency

Residency for undergraduate first-year and transfer students and graduate students is determined by admissions staff, with information provided on your application. Questions regarding your residency should be directed to Undergraduate Admission 508-999-8605 or undergraduate@admissions.edu or Graduate Admissions 508-999-8604 or graduate@umassd.edu. New applicants may be contacted if conflicting or missing information/documentation makes determining the correct residency status difficult. Once your residency status is set, it typically does not change for the duration of your studies. 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.

To be reclassified as a resident, an enrolled student must live in Massachusetts as a "traditional resident" (not a student – in-person or online) for 12 months immediately preceding their enrollment or re-enrollment to attend an institution of higher education.

Note: 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."

Residency reclassification

Current or returning students that believe they may qualify for a change in residency status should review the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education policy and the Massachusetts Tuition Equity policy to see if you may qualify for either.  

The most common circumstances that qualify for residency reclassification are:

• The student qualifies based on their relationship to 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 – in-person or online), supporting themselves independently during that time, and can provide appropriate confirming documentation.
• Financial Support Determination - Unemancipated Persons
• For most unemancipated persons (financially dependent on parent(s)/custodial parent/legal guardian(s)), our determination is based on the legal residency of the parent(s)/custodial parent/legal guardian(s). Federal Income tax returns are primary indicators of financial support, but not exclusive, and exceptions may apply.           
• If the applicant is a dependent student, and at least one parent(s)/custodial parent/legal guardian(s) has resided in Massachusetts for approximately 12 months prior to the beginning of the student's first semester.
• Financial Support Determination - Emancipated Persons
• For most emancipated persons (18 years or older who are financially independent, or without parents/legal guardians, or legally married), our determination is based on the legal and financial situation of the applicant and/or their spouse.
• If the applicant is financially independent and has lived in Massachusetts as a "traditional resident" (not a student – in-person or online) for 12 months immediately preceding their enrollment or re-enrollment at an institution of higher education.
• Residency/Citizenship Status: Applicant must be a U.S. citizen, have valid documentation through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) or provide valid documentation from the Illustrative List.

International classification

Students on certain visas may be classified as in-state. A student must be able to provide valid documentation from the Illustrative List and meet duration and residency requirements. 

Note:  Students with F1, F2, J1 or J2 visas or with a visa category listed in Step 3 of the Illustrative List, are ineligible to be considered for in-state residency for the purpose of tuition.

Residency reclassification procedure

Students must submit either the Residency Reclassification Request Form (PDF) or Tuition Equity Form and Affidavit for High School Completers, (all other applicants). Applicants 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. Several factors are taken into consideration to determine residency. No single document is decisive. The burden of proof rests on the student seeking a change in status. Forms and documentation can be sent to:

Office of the Registrar
Administration Building, Room 115
UMass Dartmouth
285 Old Westport Road
Dartmouth, MA  02747-2300

OR you can electronically submit the Residency Reclassification Form or the Tuition Equity Law Affidavit to the Student Service Center. Select "Submit an Inquiry". Please submit an inquiry under the Registrar/Tuition Residency Reclassification option to submit appropriate form and supporting documentation as attachments.

Inquiries

Please submit an inquiry to Student Service Center under the Registrar/Tuition Residency Reclassification option to submit appropriate form and supporting documentation as attachments.

Deadlines

Deadline to submit the Residency Reclassification Request Form with supporting documentation:

• Fall Semester: August 15th
• Spring Semester: December 15th

Applications received after the deadlines noted above will be reviewed and if approved will take effect the following semester.

Note: The applicant is responsible for the payment of tuition, fees, and other financial obligations to the university within the prescribed deadlines while the review of a residency request is underway.