Academics → Office of the Registrar
Residency Classification
Learn about residency status for tuition classification and the reclassification process.
As a state institution, Massachusetts College of Art and Design sets tuition and fees for BFA programs, based on residency classification regulations from the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education and the New England Board of Higher Education.
During your Admissions process, a member of the Admissions team will make the initial determination of the residency status for tuition classification. That team member may contact you if there is missing information/documentation that is needed to correctly identify your residency status. Residency Appeals for New Students are overseen by Admissions.
Petition to Change Residency
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 his/her 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.
Forms
To apply for reclassification, the following two forms must be filled out and submitted with supporting documentation*.
*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/rental agreements, MA Driver’s License, MA Car registration, etc…)
HOW TO SUBMIT THE APPLICATION AND DOCUMENTATION
In person or by mail, or email:
Office of the Registrar
J. Rand
Massachusetts College of Art and Design
Boston MA 02115
jrand@massart.edu
DEADLINES
- 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.
Inquiries
Inquiries can be directed to:
Jonathan Rand
Assistant Dean and Registrar, Registrar's Office
Email: jrand@massart.edu
Call: (617) 879-7263
Common 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 Mass. 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 Mass., pay Mass. taxes, have a Mass. driver’s license or have your car registered in Mass.
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/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 Mass. 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).
Appeals
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.
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