Academics → Office of the Registrar
Residency Classification
Learn how your Massachusetts residency status affects tuition at MassArt, including eligibility for in-state tuition and how to request reclassification.
As a public college, MassArt determines undergraduate tuition and fees based on residency classification guidelines established by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education and the New England Board of Higher Education.
Your residency classification determines whether you qualify for in-state or out-of-state tuition rates. Eligibility generally depends on where you or your parent or legal guardian (if you’re a dependent student) established permanent residency before you began attending college.
Residency Classification for New Students
The Admissions Office determines your initial residency classification during the application process. You may be contacted if additional information or documentation is needed.
If you believe your residency classification is incorrect, contact Admissions to learn about the appeals process.
Residency Reclassification for Current Students
If you’re already enrolled at MassArt and believe your residency status has changed, you may request reclassification through the Office of the Registrar.
Under Massachusetts residency regulations, in order to be reclassified as a resident, an enrolled student must live in Massachusetts as a “traditional resident” (not a student) for approximately 12 months immediately preceding his/her enrollment or re-enrollment to attend an institution of higher education. Living in Massachusetts primarily to attend school does not establish residency for tuition purposes.
Learn how to request residency reclassification, including eligibility requirements and application instructions.
Petition to Change Residency
Students requesting residency reclassification must provide documentation demonstrating that they meet Massachusetts residency requirements.
Residency decisions are based on a review of all submitted documentation. No single document determines eligibility, and students are responsible for providing sufficient evidence to support their request.
If you have moved to Massachusetts for the primary reason of attending college, this action reflects an intent to pursue an education and is not considered intent to establish residency for tuition and fees purposes.
The regulations state “residency is not acquired by mere physical presence in Massachusetts while the person is enrolled in an institution of higher education.” To be reclassified as a resident, an enrolled student must live in Massachusetts as a “traditional resident” (not a student) for approximately 12 months immediately preceding their enrollment or re-enrollment to attend an institution of higher education.
If you petition to change your residency status, you are responsible to submit all documentation to support a claim. The final decision will be based solely on the submitted documentation with qualitative rather than quantitative emphasis. A number of factors are required to determine residency. No single document is decisive. The burden of proof rests on the student seeking reclassification.
To apply for reclassification, the following two forms must be filled out and submitted with supporting documentation*.
Submit your application in person, by mail, or by email to:
Office of the Registrar
J. Rand
Massachusetts College of Art and Design
Boston MA 02115
jrand@massart.edu
*Supporting Document Examples:
Most recent state and federal tax returns, most recent state and federal tax returns of legal guardians (if student is not emancipated), MA mortgage or rental agreements, MA Driver’s License, MA Car registration, etc…)
The deadline to submit reclassification applications and supporting documentation is the first day of classes for each semester as listed on the Academic Calendar.
- Applications received after the first day of classes will be processed, but will not take effect until the following semester.
- Exceptions due to extraordinary circumstances will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Registrar.
NOTE: The applicant is responsible for the payment of tuition, fees and other financial obligations to the institution within the prescribed deadlines while the review of a residency request is underway.
Following up on the status of your application?
Inquiries can be directed to:
Jonathan Rand
Assistant Dean and Registrar, Registrar's Office
Email: jrand@massart.edu
Call: (617) 879-7263
If a student wished to appeal* the decision made by the Residency Working Group, that appeal can be made in writing and delivered in person or by mail to:
Administration and Finance
Residency Status Appeal
Massachusetts College of Art and Design
Boston MA 02115
*Students who are applying or have been recently accepted may appeal their residency status directly with the office of Admissions.
Additional Pathway to In-State Tuition
Students who attended at least three years of high school in Massachusetts and graduated from a Massachusetts high school (or earned an equivalent credential, such as a GED or HiSET) may qualify for in-state tuition through the state’s High School Completer Pathway.
This option is available to eligible students regardless of how long they’ve lived in Massachusetts and does not require the traditional 12-month residency period. Additional eligibility and documentation requirements apply.
Learn more about the High School Completer Pathway, eligibility requirements, and how to apply through the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most students do not qualify for a change in residency status once it has been established during admission. Residency is determined by where you were living 12 months prior to starting your higher education in Massachusetts. You cannot obtain in-state residency status, for tuition and fees, when you move to Massachusetts for an education. It does not matter if you live off-campus, have a job in Mass., pay Mass. taxes, have a Mass. driver’s license or have your car registered in Mass. Please refer to the policy on this website and application.
Your residency is determined by where you lived 12 months prior to starting your higher education in Massachusetts. If you did not live in Massachusetts for 12 months prior to starting school at your previous institution then you do not qualify for in-state tuition at MassArt. It does not matter if you live off-campus, have a job in Massachusetts, pay Massachusetts taxes, have a Massachusetts driver’s license or have your car registered in Massachusetts.
As long as you are a dependent of your parents, you will be classified as a Massachusetts resident. Additional documentation may be requested to support this claim.
No. A vacation or rental property owned by your parents is not their permanent residence and your residency status is also determined by where they permanently live. You cannot qualify for in-state tuition and fees by living with Massachusetts relatives or friends.
No. Students on these statuses are not eligible for in-state tuition no matter how long they have resided in Massachusetts.
No, if you remain continuously enrolled (Fall & Spring semesters only) your residency will not change. If you take a year or more off, your residency will be re-evaluated upon your return to school and could potentially change.
As amended, 38 U.S.C. 3679(c) requires that the following individuals be charged the in-state resident rate:
- A veteran using educational assistance under either Chapter 30 (Montgomery GI Bill® – Active Duty Program), Chapter 31 (Vocational Rehabilitation) or Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 G Bill), of 38 U.S.C. who lives in the state in which the institution is located (regardless of his/her formal state of residence).
- Anyone using transferred Post-9/11 G.I. Bill benefits (38 U.S.C. § 3319) who lives in the state in which the institution is located (regardless of his/her formal state of residence).
- Anyone described above while he or she remains continuously enrolled (other than during regularly scheduled breaks between courses, semesters, or terms) at the same institution. The person must be using educational benefits under Chapter 30, Chapter 31 or Chapter 33 of 38 U.S.C.
- Anyone using benefits under the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (38 U.S.C. § 3311(b)(9)) who lives in the state in which the institution is located (regardless of his/her formal state of residence).
