2025-26 Massachusetts In-State Tuition Requirements: Complete Qualification Guide
Massachusetts In-State Tuition Qualification Summary
Key Requirement: Massachusetts in-state tuition qualification requires establishing legal domicile in Massachusetts for at least one full year before enrollment (six months for community colleges), with the intent to remain permanently, and meeting financial dependency requirements.
2025-26 University of Massachusetts Amherst Tuition
*2024-25 rates shown; 2025-26 rates will be updated upon official release.
Prefer a Quick Summary? If you want a condensed checklist version of this guide, visit our Massachusetts In-State Tuition Checklist for a streamlined overview of the key requirements.
The Short Answer: Eligibility
Who Qualifies: Students who have established legal domicile in Massachusetts for the required duration (12 months for universities and state colleges, 6 months for community colleges), with the intent to remain permanently, and who meet dependency and immigration status requirements.
Controlling Legal Authority
Primary Authority: Massachusetts Board of Higher Education “Residency Status for Tuition Classification Purposes” policy, adopted April 19, 2007, effective July 1, 2007.
“At the University and the state colleges, an eligible person shall be classified as a Massachusetts resident if he or she (or the parent of an unemancipated student) shall have resided in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for purposes other than attending an educational institution (including a private educational institution) for twelve months immediately preceding the student’s entry or reentry as a student. At the community colleges, a person shall be classified as a Massachusetts resident if he or she (or the parent of an unemancipated student) shall have resided in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for purposes other than attending an educational institution (including a private educational institution) for six months immediately preceding the student’s entry or reentry as a student.”
Supporting Statute: M.G.L. Chapter 15A governs public higher education in Massachusetts, with specific scholarship and financial aid provisions in Section 16.
Key Legal Definitions
- “Reside,” “residency,” or “resident” means “domicile,” i.e., a person’s true fixed and permanent home or place of habitation, where he or she intends to remain permanently.
- “Emancipated person” means a person who has attained age 18 and is financially independent of parents, or if under 18: whose parents have surrendered care/custody rights, is legally married, or has no parent.
- “Eligible person” means a U.S. citizen, lawful immigrant, permanent resident, or holder of another legal immigration status, who has satisfied the durational residency requirement and can demonstrate intent to remain in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts Residency Requirements
Core Domicile Requirements
Duration Requirements
- Universities & State Colleges: 12 months immediately preceding enrollment
- Community Colleges: 6 months immediately preceding enrollment
- Physical presence not required for entire period if conduct demonstrates intent
- Time spent primarily for education does not establish domicile
Intent to Remain
- Demonstrated intent to make Massachusetts permanent home
- Actions consistent with permanent residency intent
- Future plans aligned with Massachusetts residency
- Cannot be established by mere physical presence while enrolled
Financial Independence Requirements
For Emancipated Students (18+ and financially independent): Must establish own Massachusetts residency separate from parents.
Proof of Emancipation Includes:
- Birth certificate showing place and date of birth
- Certified copies of federal and state income tax returns (student and parents)
- Statement certifying no financial support from parents
- Copies of federal financial aid applications
- Legal guardianship papers (if applicable)
- Affidavit explaining grounds for emancipation claim
Dependent Students (Unemancipated)
Students who cannot establish financial independence derive residency status from parents or legal guardians. Parent/guardian must meet the same durational Massachusetts domicile requirement.
Key Policy Quote: “Physical presence for this entire twelve-month or six-month period need not be required as long as the conduct of an individual, taken in total, manifests an intention to make Massachusetts his or her permanent dwelling place. However, residency is not acquired by mere physical presence in Massachusetts while the person is enrolled in an institution of higher education.”
How to Qualify: Step-by-Step Process
12 Months Before Enrollment (Universities/State Colleges) or 6 Months (Community Colleges)
Establish Massachusetts domicile and begin documenting residency activities for purposes other than education.
Throughout Residency Period
Maintain consistent Massachusetts ties and document all residency indicators as required by policy.
Before Application Deadline
Submit Massachusetts In-State Tuition Eligibility Form with supporting documentation.
After Submission
Receive residency determination; file appeals through institutional process if necessary.
Required Actions for Massachusetts Residency
- Obtain Massachusetts driver’s license or state ID
- Register to vote in Massachusetts
- Register vehicle in Massachusetts (if owned)
- File Massachusetts state and federal tax returns
- Update voter registration from previous state
- Open Massachusetts bank accounts
- Establish permanent employment not normally filled by a student
- Rely on Massachusetts sources for financial support
- Obtain Massachusetts professional licenses (if applicable)
- Demonstrate financial independence from parents (if emancipated)
- Maintain continuous physical presence during non-enrolled periods
- Sign lease or purchase property in Massachusetts
- Establish utility accounts in your name
- Use Massachusetts address for all official correspondence
- Obtain Massachusetts high school diploma (if applicable)
Evidence & Documentation Requirements
Policy Standard: “Each case will be decided on the basis of all facts submitted with qualitative rather than quantitative emphasis. A number of factors are required for residency to determine the intention of the person to maintain permanent residence in Massachusetts. No single indicium is decisive. The burden of proof rests on the student seeking classification as a Massachusetts resident.”
Official Indicia of Residence
| Indicia Category | What It Proves | Policy Notes |
|---|---|---|
| For unemancipated persons, residency of parents having custody within Massachusetts | Dependent student derives residency from parents | Primary indicator for dependent students |
| Certified copies of federal and state income tax returns | Financial ties and tax residency status | Strong evidence of domicile intent |
| Permanent employment in position not normally filled by student | Intent to remain and financial independence | Must be permanent, not temporary/seasonal |
| Reliance on Massachusetts sources for financial support | Financial ties to Massachusetts | Supports domicile establishment |
| Possession of Massachusetts high school diploma | Educational ties to Massachusetts | Historical connection to state |
| Continuous physical presence during non-enrolled periods | Maintaining Massachusetts as home base | Shows permanent residence intent |
| Military home of record | Official military designation | Special military provisions apply |
| All other material bearing on residency determination | Supporting evidence | Catch-all for additional proof |
Massachusetts In-State Tuition Eligibility Form Requirements
Students must possess at least 2 of the following documents, dated within one year of enrollment start date:
- Massachusetts driver’s license
- Massachusetts high school diploma
- Employment pay stub
- Car registration
- Voter registration
- State/Federal tax returns
- Utility bills
- Signed lease or rent receipt
- Military home of record
- Record of parents’ residency (for unemancipated persons)
Special Circumstances & Automatic Eligibility
Automatically Eligible Categories
The following individuals are automatically eligible for in-state tuition per Board policy:
- Current Massachusetts residents registered at an institution (continued classification during continuous attendance)
- Spouses of Massachusetts residents (excluding those on non-immigrant visas)
- Lawful immigrants/permanent residents meeting same requirements as U.S. citizens
- Refugees and asylees meeting same requirements as U.S. citizens
- Students funded by Commonwealth public assistance programs
- Armed Forces members stationed in Massachusetts on active duty, plus spouses and dependents
- Full-time faculty, professional staff, and classified staff of public higher education system, plus spouses and dependents
Military Members and Veterans
Special Military Provisions: Active duty military stationed in Massachusetts and their spouses/dependents qualify for resident tuition. Military members do not gain or lose in-state status solely by reason of presence while serving.
Documentation Required:
- Military orders showing Massachusetts assignment
- Military home of record documentation
- Marriage certificate (for spouses)
- Dependency documentation (for children)
Immigration Status Requirements
Eligible Immigration Categories:
- U.S. citizens
- Lawful immigrants and permanent residents
- Refugees and asylees (with proper documentation)
- Other legal immigration status holders meeting domicile requirements
Required Documentation: All non-citizens must provide appropriate U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services documentation to verify status.
Massachusetts Tuition Equity Law (2023)
New Pathway Available: Effective July 1, 2023, Massachusetts expanded access to in-state tuition through the “High School Completer” status under the Tuition Equity Law.
High School Completer Eligibility
Students qualify for in-state tuition if they:
- Attended high school in Massachusetts for at least three academic years (need not be consecutive)
- Obtained a Massachusetts high school diploma or equivalent (GED/HiSet)
- Are not nonimmigrant aliens under specific federal classifications
- Meet documentation requirements
Tuition Equity vs. Traditional Residency
Important Distinction: The Tuition Equity Law provides an additional pathway to in-state tuition that does not require traditional domicile establishment. This is separate from and in addition to the standard residency classification policy.
State Financial Aid Eligibility
Students qualifying under the Tuition Equity Law may also be eligible for Massachusetts state financial aid programs, including:
- MassEducate (free community college tuition and fees)
- MassReconnect
- Other state-funded grant and scholarship programs
Timeline & Decision Process
Reclassification and Appeals Process
Initial Classification
Determined during admissions process based on submitted documentation and eligibility form.
Reclassification Request
Students may request reclassification at any time if factual basis has changed by submitting Residency Reclassification Form.
Institutional Review
Institution reviews documentation and makes final classification decision as resident or non-resident.
Appeal Process
Students may appeal negative decisions through institutional appeal process. Appeal decision is final.
Key Policy Provisions
- Retroactive Effect: Classification changes are retroactive only to the beginning of the semester when the final decision is made
- Tuition Deadlines: All payment deadlines remain in force during reclassification and appeal processes
- Continuous Attendance: Students classified as residents maintain status until degree completion during continuous attendance
- Penalties: Misrepresentation or omission of facts may result in exclusion, expulsion, or other disciplinary action
Contact Information
Massachusetts Department of Higher Education
Official Residency Policy: mass.edu/foradmin/admissions/residency.asp
Tuition Equity Information: mass.edu/tuitionequity
Email: tuitionequity@dhe.mass.edu
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Residency Information: UMass Amherst Residency Policy
Bursar Office: Handles final residency determinations and appeals
Phone: (413) 545-0111
University of Massachusetts Boston
Residency Information: UMass Boston Residency Reclassification
Phone: (617) 287-5000
University of Massachusetts Lowell
Residency Officer: residency@uml.edu
Phone: (978) 934-3700
Tuition Equity: UMass Lowell Tuition Equity
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The policy explicitly states: “residency is not acquired by mere physical presence in Massachusetts while the person is enrolled in an institution of higher education.” Time must be spent in Massachusetts “for purposes other than attending an educational institution.”
Universities and state colleges require 12 months of Massachusetts domicile immediately preceding enrollment. Community colleges require only 6 months of Massachusetts domicile immediately preceding enrollment.
Yes. The Tuition Equity Law provides an additional pathway to in-state tuition. Students may qualify under either the traditional residency requirements or the High School Completer status, or potentially both.