Tuition Residency Appeals Process

The Residency Appeals Committee meets as needed during the semester to review appeals.

Any student who has been denied in-state residency for tuition purposes has the right to appeal that decision within thirty days of written notification of the denial. Although appeals are reviewed and decided upon on a case-by-case basis, all decisions must be consistent with the applicable University System of Maryland Board of Regents policy.

To appeal, a student needs to present a letter to the University requesting a review of the student's initial tuition residency determination. The Residency Appeals Committee (RAC) will not consider an appeal until it is made in writing. At a minimum, the letter should include why the student was denied, reason(s) the criteria for the denial should not be considered and any information the student would like considered in the review. In addition to the letter, if the student has not already done so, they will need to provide a copy of their driver's license, any motor vehicle registration(s) upon which they are listed on the registration and/or title, voter registration card, any leases/deeds for the previous twelve months and their most recent state tax return(s). Dependent upon the circumstances for the initial denial and subsequent appeal, the University may request additional information from the student to assist in the appeal review. This information may be needed to substantiate assertions made by the student or be used to supplement information already provided.

If the student needs assistance in preparing their appeal or has questions concerning the process, they may contact the Tuition Residency Office at 410-543-6547 for assistance. The letter of appeal and any corresponding documentation should be mailed or delivered to the Tuition Residency Office, Holloway Hall 223. The entire file, including the initial residency information form, will then be forwarded to the RAC for the appeal review.

All appeals are first reviewed by the RAC, which is comprised of two representatives from Student Affairs and one from Business & Finance. The RAC will forward a non-binding recommendation to the Associate Vice President of Administration and Finance, the President's designee (Designee) for determining residency appeals at the University. The Designee has the authority to waive any requirement, set forth in the policy, if it has been determined to create an unjust result. The Designee will provide a written letter to the student which serves as the University's final decision on the matter.

There may be times when either the RAC or the Designee will request additional information to clarify the appeal. In such cases, the Tuition Residency Office will contact the student and request that information.

Additionally, a student may seek an appointment with the Designee to discuss the appeal, but they will need to have already presented both the appeal and all documentation to the University and the RAC will need to have made its recommendation. Although the Designee has full authority to make the final decision and the authority to waive any requirement that creates an unjust result, all appeals are to follow the due process as established by University practices and procedures for tuition residency appeals.