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Residency Requirements for Undergraduate Tuition

Residency Policy

As a state institution, the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth sets tuition and fees for undergraduate students in daytime, on-campus programs based on residency classification regulations from the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education and the New England Board of Higher Education.

As part of the admissions process for undergraduate students, an initial determination of residency classification is performed by the Undergraduate Admissions staff. Applicants may be contacted for additional information or documentation for a residency classification. Residency information requested by the Undergraduate Admissions Office will not hold up a student’s admission decision.

A student’s residency is determined by where the student is living 12 months prior to entering any institution of higher education in Massachusetts, and six months if they first attend a community college in MA. The policy was set by legislation and is governed by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education.

UMass Dartmouth uses four residency classifications

In-State (Massachusetts Resident)

Generally, if an applicant is a U.S. citizen, lawful immigrant, or Permanent Resident(green card holder) who is dependent student, and at least one parent or guardian has resided in Massachusetts for one year or more immediately before the start of classes at UMass Dartmouth, they are eligible for consideration as an in-state resident. Please note that vacation homes do not qualify as proof of Massachusetts residency.

Lawful Immigrant

Students with certain immigrant, non-immigrant, and humanitarian classifications who meet other in-state residency requirements may be eligible for in-state tuition consideration. A student must demonstrate that they are a “lawful immigrant” as defined by the 2007 Residency Status Policy by providing valid documentation from the list of documents for use in lawful immigrant determinations. All other residency requirements must also be met.

Please note, according to the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education (DHE), certain immigration statuses are ineligible for in-state tuition consideration. These include B-1 and B-2 (business/tourist visitors), F-1 and F-2 (students and their dependents), J-1 and J-2 (exchange visitors and their dependents), M-1, M-2, and M-3 (vocational/language study), and P (athletes/entertainers).

Undocumented Students and DACA

Undocumented students are individuals who are not U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or “eligible noncitizens.” Each year, we review applications from students residing in the United States without documentation of U.S. citizenship or legal permanent residency. Within the broader category of undocumented students, there is a subgroup who have been granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).

Persons who hold DACA classification are eligible to file an application to be considered for in-state tuition and fees if they can present a document that meets the requirements detailed in the list of documents for use in lawful immigrant determinations.

For DACA holders, this document will typically be an Employment Authorization Document (also known as work permit) with the classification code (c)(33) or I-797 Notice of Action.

Students who are lawful immigrants, including DACA holders, must also meet duration and residency requirements. 

Students who are undocumented or have DACA status may be eligible for in-state residency. This includes the 2023 “High School Completers” Tuition Equity Law. 

What is the 2023 Tuition Equity Law?

In July 2023, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts passed the “High School Completers” Tuition Equity Law, expanding access to in-state tuition rates and state financial aid for students who have attended high school in Massachusetts for at least three years, earned a high school diploma or its equivalent in the state, and met certain documentation requirements. This law provides a pathway for non-U.S. citizen students, including those without lawful immigration status or who may be considered undocumented, to access in-state tuition and state financial aid.

Students may qualify for a residency classification if they meet the following criteria:

  • Not in an ineligible non-immigrant classification (pdf).
  • Attended a high school in Massachusetts for at least  three years.
  • Graduated from a Massachusetts high school or attained the equivalent in Massachusetts (GED/HiSet). (Eligibility for in-state tuition is conditional upon the student’s graduation/receipt of a HS diploma.)

Students who qualify for in-state residency classification under Massachusetts High School Completer Status must submit the required Tuition Equity and Affidavit Form (pdf) and any required supporting documentation.

Regional Tuition Program Classification If you are a legal resident of Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont, you may qualify for a reduced tuition rate under the Tuition Break Program.

Out of State Classification: A student not classified under in-state, regional tuition program or international will be considered out-of-state.

International: Non-U.S. citizens who do not have valid documentation from the list of documents for use in lawful immigrant determinations, and do not meet a residency exception are considered international. The vast majority of undergraduate international students will require the F-1 visa status.