Subject: Tuition Residency Classification
Effective 01/01/2020
Updated 8/1/2026
There are many factors which will be considered in determining eligibility for in-state tuition. No one factor can be used to establish eligibility, rather all factors and circumstances must be considered on a case-by-case basis and determined by the UMS Residency Review Committee. A residency classification assigned by a public or private authority (such as an income tax return, driver’s license or voter registration) neither qualifies nor disqualifies a student for UMS in-state status.
A student applying for admission to a degree or certification program is classified as eligible, or not eligible, for in-state tuition at the time of acceptance to the University. A non-matriculated student is classified as eligible, or not eligible, for in-state tuition at the time of registration.
To be eligible for in-state tuition the student must meet University guidelines before such registration. Students will hold the same residency status across all University of Maine System campuses.
Note: Because Financial aid awards are based in part on the cost of attendance, a change in residency classification, and the corresponding change in tuition, may result in an adjustment to a student’s financial aid award.
I. Residency Request Process and Procedures
A student’s eligibility for in-state tuition is determined by each UMS institution’s admissions department. The residency of a student may change during their period of enrollment. To change eligibility for in-state tuition, a student must follow the procedures below.
“Request for Change in Tuition Status” must be submitted on or before the first day of classes for the term for which residency change is requested. Applications will not be retroactive.
The UMS Residency Review Committee will issue a written decision within 30 days.
Appeal
A student may appeal the decision of the Committee in writing within 10 business
days to the Vice Chancellor for Finance and Strategic AI Integration.
The Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration will issue a final decision within 30 days.
II. Classifications
In general, the following criteria will be used to determine residency:
In-State – Eligible
Maine Residency Status
- An individual who has lived in the State of Maine, for other than educational purposes, 12 consecutive months (one year) prior to the first day of classes of the term for which Maine residency is sought or the student’s application to the University is considered an in-state student.
A full-time enrolled student will be presumed to be in Maine for educational purposes. A residence established for the purpose of attending a UMS campus will not, by itself, constitute eligibility for in-state tuition. The burden will be on the student to prove that a primary Maine residence has been established for other than educational purposes.
Dependent Status
- A student who is dependent on a parent and/or legally appointed guardian (or to whom custody is granted by court order) is considered to have residence with the parent for tuition purposes.
- A student who is dependent on a parent or legal guardian may be considered a resident of Maine if the parent or legal guardian has lived in the State of Maine for 183 consecutive days at their proven primary residence.
Spouse or Domestic Partner Status
- A student will be considered in-state for tuition purposes if a spouse or domestic partner has in-state residency.
Military and Veteran Status
- A current member of the United States Armed Forces or a Veteran of the United States Armed Forces who has been honorably discharged will be billed at the in-state (Maine resident) tuition rate. Veterans must supply a DD214 showing an honorable discharge, Certificate of eligibility for GI bill, or Military ID card. Active duty members can supply a copy of their Military ID card or travel orders. All dependents using VA educational benefits are billed at the in-state (Maine resident) tuition rate.
Other Considerations
- Regular employees of any University of Maine System campus will be billed at the in-state rate. Dependents of such employees will also be extended the in-state status.
- Non-Maine Residents working for Maine employers where the employer is paying the student’s charges will be given in-state status during the period of time they are covered by their Maine employer. The Maine employer will have to pay the tuition benefits directly to the institution where the student is enrolled.
- High school students attending a private boarding school; who would normally be classified as out-of-state or international; will be billed at the in-state rate for the duration they are enrolled in high school.
In-State – Not Eligible
- A student who attended an out-of-state educational institution at in-state tuition rates in the immediately preceding semester, shall be presumed to be in Maine for educational purposes and not to establish permanent residency. Normally such students must wait one year before attaining in-state status. Again, the burden will be on the individual to prove that he or she is residing in Maine for other than educational purposes.
Non-US Citizens
- In-state tuition is not available to anyone who holds a non-immigrant U.S. visa. Exceptions may be provided for students who meet the emergent circumstances specific to military conflict criteria for Special Student Relief (SSR) or Temporary Protected Status (TPS) as established by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security – https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students/special-student-relief. Note: a letter of verification from the campus Designated School Official (DSO) must be provided.
- A non-U.S. citizen who is a permanent resident of the United States, or who has received conditional permanent U.S. residency, or who can document they have applied for U.S. permanent residency, is eligible for Maine residency for tuition purposes provided that they meets the same requirements for establishing residency in Maine as are required of a United States citizen.
- A non-U.S. citizen who has refugee status, and was resettled immediately in the State of Maine after arriving in the United States, is considered a Maine resident for tuition purposes.
- A non-U.S. citizen who has refugee status, and was first resettled in a U.S. state other than Maine, is eligible for Maine residency for tuition purposes provided that they meet the same requirements for establishing residency in Maine as are required of a United States citizen.
- A non-U.S. citizen who is an asylum seeker is eligible for Maine residency for tuition purposes provided that they can document an application for asylum and meet the same requirements for establishing residency in Maine as are required of a United States citizen.
- A non-U.S.citizen who has been granted asylum in the United States is eligible for Maine residency for tuition purposes provided that they meet the same requirements for establishing residency in Maine as are required of a United States citizen.
- All non-U.S. citizens applying for Maine residency for tuition purposes must provide appropriate documentation related to residency and to verify their status with the Department of Homeland Security. This documentation is not part of the admissions process.
Approved by the Vice Chancellor for Finance and Strategic AI Integration; Treasurer
Attachment: Residency Review Request Form – University of Maine System (PDF)
Attachment: Affidavit of Domestic Partnership (PDF)
For questions or concerns filling out the above form, please call 207-581-5846.