Residency Information

Students who wish to declare their Massachusetts residency after acceptance to the college must do so through the Office of Fiscal Affairs. As proof of residency, a student must fulfill the following requirements as applicable:

• A person must have lived in Massachusetts for one year prior to the term that they apply for residency. Living in Massachusetts is defined as having a permanent address in Massachusetts at which they must have lived for 12 consecutive months. A residence hall address does not qualify as a permanent address.
• If the student is 24 years of age or less, they either must provide evidence that their parents have lived in Massachusetts for 12 consecutive months or, if their parents live out of state, that they are independent of their parents.
  
  
  Required documentation for proof of independence of parents:
  • A copy of the parents' income tax for the previous year showing that the student was not claimed as a dependent.
  • A copy of the student's income tax form.
  • A copy of the student's Massachusetts license and registration.
  • A copy of the student's voter registration.
  • Copies of the student's rent receipts or lease, showing a permanent residence for 12 consecutive months.
  • All of the above must be notarized.
    
    
• If a student's parents are separated or divorced and one lives in Massachusetts, residency is dependent upon which parent supports the child and the domicile of that parent.
• Any student who has a visa that has to be renewed to stay in the United States cannot claim Massachusetts residency for tuition purposes (student visa, working visa, etc.).
• Any military personnel or their dependents who are stationed in Massachusetts will be considered in-state for tuition purposes. They must, however, fill out the residency forms and submit a notarized copy of their orders.
• A person who enters the military while a resident of Massachusetts and then returns to Massachusetts upon leaving the military is considered a Massachusetts resident.
• All students who wish to change their residency status must complete the documentation required by the Board of Higher Education. These forms are available in Boyden Hall, the Office of Student Accounts, Room 109; and the Registrar's Office, Room 003.

Last Modified: May 14, 2008