How does one declare residence sufficiently to gain in state tuition at University of Maryland Grad school?

Question

Hi,

I'm currently a rising senior at Goucher College in Towson, MD looking at attending the University of Maryland School of Social Work after I graduate from Goucher. I am currently a PA resident, but even regardless of UMD, I have every intention in the world to remain in MD. I am aware that one must have 12 months of consecutive residence to gain in state tuition at UMD, but what counts as residence? Could I consider my dorm MD residence, and then upon graduation move into an apartment in MD for the summer and thus have 12 months residence? I'm aware that I would need to transfer my voter registration, license, and car registration to begin the process this year, is there anything else? Would this work? I intend to stay a MD resident beyond graduation from UMD and Goucher, but I know that doesn't count for a whole lot, but if there's any way I could finagle in state tuition that would be really helpful as I go on into a profession where paying back loans isn't exactly easy to do...

Answer 1

There is a whole LONG explanation of this on the University of Maryland webpage - if I cut and pasted the whole thing, you'd be reading until tomorrow morning.

Here's a relevant excerpt - I linked to the full page below. I do hope this helps you! Check #9 because that's the big one for you - and you'll need to read on to the next section of the document for an explanation of how to "overcome this presumption". Good luck!

"Before a request for classification to in-state status will be considered, a student must comply with all of the following requirements for a period of at least twelve (12) consecutive months immediately prior to and including the last date available to register for courses in the semester/term for which the student seeks in-state tuition status. The student must demonstrate he or she:

      1. Owns or possesses, and has continuously occupied, including during weekends, breaks and vacations, living quarters in Maryland. The student must provide evidence of a genuine deed or lease and documentation of rent payments made. In lieu of a deed or lease, a notarized affidavit from a landlord showing the address, name of the student as occupant, term of residence, and history of rent payments made will be considered. As an alternative, a student may demonstrate that he or she shares living quarters in Maryland which are owned or rented and occupied by a parent, legal guardian or spouse.

      2. Has substantially all of his or her personal property, such as household effects, furniture and pets in Maryland.

      3. Has paid Maryland income tax on all taxable income including all taxable income earned outside the State and has filed a Maryland tax return.

      4. Has registered all owned or leased motor vehicles in Maryland.

      5. Possesses a valid Maryland driver's license, if licensed.

      6. Is registered to vote in Maryland, if registered to vote.

      7. Receives no public assistance from a state other than the State of Maryland or from a city, county or municipal agency other than one in Maryland.

      8. Has a legal ability under Federal and Maryland law to live permanently without interruption in Maryland.

      9. Has rebutted the presumption that he or she is in Maryland primarily to attend an educational institution, if the student's circumstances have raised the presumption."

Answer 2

Living in the dorms will make it much harder.  Your best bet - live off campus and have your NAME on the lease, on the water bill, phone bill, heating bill.  Get a drivers license, register to vote, get a library card, PAY Maryland taxs, etc.  File the FAFSA with your address - have your tuition bill sent to your address (if your parents are helping with tuition have them make a gift to you and YOU pay the tuition. When you apply to UM - Apply AS an in state student -

DA

Answer 3

Changing your residency is not as easy as it sounds, esp in your case.

What is hurting you here is you still haven't taken any steps to make MD your home state AND you moved to Maryland specifically for the purpose of going to college 3 years ago.  It sounds like to date you STILL haven't taken any steps to make MD your permanent residence.  You will always be considered an out-of-state resident in this state as long as you continue to be in college full time.  Also be aware MD has a regulation stating you must be financially self sufficient as well.

Simply living in a state does not make you a legal resident of that state, even if tomorrow you do switch your drivers license and voter ID, living in a dorm is NOT sufficient enough to you are going to stay in that state.

My only suggestion for you to gain residency is to buy a house or sign a lease upon graduating and work full time for a year or more.  Change your license NOW, voter id, car tag, get a library card, file your federal and state income taxes with your MD address (be sure you are not being claimed by your parents).  Then, after you have done ALL that and have been there 12 months, THEN you apply for admissions to the grad school.

It is not going to be easy, contact the school for more details.