SUBJECT: Procedures for Student Residency Classification for Admission, Tuition and Charge-Differential Purposes

A change in residency status must be requested in writing by submitting a Petition for Change in Classification for Tuition (the “Petition”). The Petition is available on the UMUC Web site (http://www.umuc.edu/changeresidency). Students must submit the Petition and supporting documentation (as indicated on the Petition) to the residency evaluator by the last published date to register for courses for the semester or term in which the student is seeking a change in residency status as follows.

1. The deadlines for submitting a Petition for an upcoming semester or term are available in UMUC’s academic calendar at www.umuc.edu.

2. Students seeking a change in residency status who are planning to take a co-op course (where there is no published date to register) must submit their Petition and supporting documentation prior to the date they register for the co-op course in order to qualify for in-state tuition for that co-op course

Students may not be required to submit a Petition if the student was:

1. Classified as out-of-state because he or she failed to submit required documentation such as military ID or orders or verification of USM employment. In this situation, the student can be reclassified as in-state upon submission of the required documentation.

2. Admitted to UMUC as out-of-state due to an error made by a UMUC staff member. In this situation, the student can be reclassified as in-state back to the point that the error occurred upon discovery and verification of the error.

3. Initially admitted as out-of-state, but leaves UMUC for two or more years and must reapply to UMUC before being able to take additional courses. In this situation, a determination of residency classification will be made based upon the information given on the new admissions application.

Once a Petition is submitted, the residency evaluator will review it and the supporting documentation. If the residency evaluator determines that the Petition contains any inconsistent information, is incomplete, or requires any additional information, the evaluator will contact the petitioning student to obtain all the information necessary to complete the Petition for a comprehensive review. If any outstanding information is not submitted to UMUC within 30 days of the date of the residency evaluator's request, the student's Petition may not be considered for the current semester or term.

If it is determined that the student meets all of the requirements for in-state residency, the student's classification will be changed. If the student has already paid the out-of-state tuition rates for the applicable semester or term, a refund or account credit (if there is a balance due on the student's account) will be generated.

If UMUC determines that the student does not meet all of the requirements for in-state residency, the student may appeal the decision in writing to the President's designee, the Provost and Chief Academic Officer ("Provost"), for a waiver of the criterion that the student does not meet. The Provost may waive any residency criterion set forth in Section II of the USM residency policy if it is determined that the application of the criterion creates an unjust result.

Students who maintain Maryland as their permanent address, but who are temporarily residing outside of Maryland for no more than 12 months, may be considered to meet Section II.A of the USM Policy if they submit the following documentation to the residency evaluator:

1. a statement indicating the length and purpose of the temporary absence,

2. if licensed to drive, a copy of his or her Maryland driver’s license,

3. if employed, a copy of a recent paycheck stub showing Maryland taxes being withheld, and

4. a copy of a lease or deed for the student’s Maryland residence.

In the event, incomplete, false, or misleading information is presented, UMUC may, at its discretion, revoke in-state status and take other disciplinary actions provided by UMUC's Code of Student Conduct. If in-state status is gained due to false or misleading information or UMUC is not notified within 15 days of any change in circumstances that may alter in-state status, UMUC reserves the right to retroactively assess all out-of-state charges for each semester/term affected.