Residency Policy
As part of the admissions process for undergraduate students, an initial determination of residency classification is performed by the Undergraduate Admissions staff. As a state institution, the University of Massachusetts Amherst sets tuition and fees for undergraduate students based on this residency classification, as defined by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education and the New England Board of Higher Education.
Once Undergraduate Admissions establishes a student's residency, the classification can only be appealed through the Office of the Bursar, which is responsible for the final determination of student residency and handles all applications for residency changes.
Generally, if an applicant is a U.S. citizen or a 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 Amherst, they are eligible for consideration as an in-state resident. Please note that vacation homes do not qualify as proof of Massachusetts residency.
Lawful Non-Immigrant Status:
Students with certain non-immigrant, and humanitarian classifications who meet other in-state residency requirements may be eligible for in-state tuition consideration. To qualify, a student must demonstrate that they are a “lawful immigrant” as defined by the 2007 Residency Status Policy by providing valid documentation from the illustrative list. All other residency requirements must also be met, such as a dependent student’s parent(s) having resided in Massachusetts for at least one year.
Students who indicate on their application that they are non-citizens and believe they are eligible for in-state residency will receive an automated email from Undergraduate Admissions with specific instructions on how to proceed with an initial residency review.
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
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).
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. Please see here for more information.
A student not classified as in-state, New England Regional Student Program (NERSP) or international will be considered out-of-state.
Non-U.S. citizens who do not meet a residency exception are considered international. The vast majority of undergraduate international students will require the F-1 visa status which is coordinated by the International Programs Office (IPO).
Per Massachusetts Department of Higher Education (DHE), the following immigration statuses are never eligible for in-state tuition: 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 (athlete/entertainer).
If you are a legal resident of Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island or Vermont and the major you want to pursue at UMass Amherst is not available at your state’s public colleges, you may qualify for a reduced tuition rate under the Tuition Break Program.