Residency Information

Bowie State University, which is part of the University System of Maryland (USM), defines in-state status according to the USM Policy on Student Classification for Admission and Tuition Purposes (pdf). 

Residency classification is first established during the admissions process. All undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students are informed of their residency classification in their admission decision letter. Students are responsible for knowing their residency classification. Residency classification determines if students pay in-state or out-of-state tuition rates. View tuition rates here.

Any new or continuing student who wishes to petition to reclassify their residency status for tuition purposes must submit a residency petition (docx). We highly recommend contacting the residency specialist at residency@bowiestate.edu to confirm if a residency petition is needed.  

If you have questions regarding your residency classification after reading through the information on this webpage, please contact our residency specialist or email residency@bowiestate.edu with your questions and concerns.

Defining In-State Residency Status

Per the USM Residency Policy (pdf), in-state status is granted to students who, for at least twelve (12) consecutive months immediately before and including the last date available to register for courses in the semester for which the student seeks in-state tuition status, have the continuous intent to:

  1. Made Maryland their permanent home and
  2. Abandon their former home state; and
  3. Reside in Maryland indefinitely; and
  4. Reside in Maryland primarily for a purpose other than attending an educational institution in Maryland.

-OR-


Students with out-of-state classification who have the following status will temporarily be classified in-state, including:

  • Full-time or part-time (50% time or more) regular employees of a USM institution, their spouses, and dependents.
  • Certain full-time active-duty US armed forces members including their spouses and dependent children.
  • Certain veterans of the US Armed Forces.
  • Students using certain VA benefits.
  • Certain members of the Maryland National Guard.
  • Graduate Assistants during the term of their appointment

The above overview does not supersede or amend any part of the USM Policy on Student Classification for Admission and Tuition Purposes.

Students must notify Bowie State University of any change in circumstances that may alter in-state status. Failure to do so could result in retroactive charges for each semester/term. 

Newly Admitted Students

Bowie State University evaluates residency at every instance of admission and readmission application. This includes undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral admissions, and readmissions. Bowie State University undergraduates who apply to the Bowie State University Graduate School will have their residency re-evaluated as part of the graduate admission process. It is the student’s responsibility to know their residency classification.

Newly Admitted and Readmitted Undergraduate and Graduate Students

Undergraduate and Graduate students are informed of their residency classification during admission and readmission.

Some newly admitted and readmitted students may be temporarily classified as out-of-state (in accordance with the Policy) due to missing information on their residency form of the admissions application. These students will be sent a Residency Missing Information Letter via email. Students should only submit the requested document(s) as indicated in the letter as soon as possible before enrollment. Students with questions about this form can follow up via the email sent.

“Readmitted student” refers to any student who applied for readmission or reinstatement after leaving Bowie State University for more than two consecutive semesters.

Currently Enrolled Students

The Petition for Change in Classification for Tuition Purposes is intended for use by:

  • Students who seek a change in residency classification or
  • Those whose status cannot be determined from the information submitted on the initial Application for In-State Classification as part of the admissions process.

If, after reading the USM VIII-2.70 Policy on Student Classification for Admission and Tuition Purposes (pdf), you feel that you have met the criteria, you may submit a Petition for Change in Classification for Tuition Purposes to the Office of the Registrar.

To check the status of your residency petition, or if you have questions or concerns, please send your inquiry to registrar@bowiestate.edu.

Deadlines to Submit

  • Winter 2025: January 3, 2025
  • Spring 2025: February 7. 2025
  • Summer 2025: June 6, 2025
  • Fall 2025: September 5, 2025

Non-Resident Tuition Exemption

The Nonresident Exemption for Eligible Maryland High School Graduates (pdf), also known as the Maryland Dream Act, allows non-immigrant aliens, specifically undocumented students, who graduated from a Maryland high school to qualify for in-state tuition at public colleges and universities in Maryland. Students must meet certain eligibility requirements and submit the required documentation for consideration.

The Nonresident Tuition Exemption request and all required documentation must be submitted by the last date of late registration in the semester for which you wish to be awarded the exemption. Nonresident Tuition Exemption cannot be requested or approved retroactively for previous semesters.  

Please be aware that the NTE requires three years of Comptroller’s certified copies of Maryland tax returns.

Review the Nonresident Exemption for Eligible Maryland High School Graduates (pdf) policy and determine if you would be eligible.

Complete the NTE Request form (pdf) and gather the required documentation.

Submit your completed application and supporting documents to residency@bowiestate.edu for review and processing.  

NTE Request forms, along with all required documentation, must be submitted by the last date of registration in the semester for which you wish to be reclassified.

The review of the Nonresident Tuition Exemption for Eligible Maryland High School Graduates and a determination may take up to six (6) weeks from the time a completed request is received. While requests are under review, student petitioners are required to make full tuition payment at the out-of-state rate. If the University determines that the student meets all requirements for the exemption, the student’s billing rate will be changed to in-state and a refund or account credit will be issued as appropriate for the current semester. This overview does not supersede or amend any part of the USM Policy on Student Classification for Admission and Tuition Purposes.

DACA: Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program protects youth who came to the United States as a child from deportation. DACA students can temporarily qualify for in-state tuition if they submit the approval notification of their Deferred Action status (I-797, notice of action) AND the Maryland Residency Form to the Office of Admissions by the last day of late registration of their intended entry term. Deferred Action status must be held 12 consecutive months before the start of the term to be eligible for in-state tuition rates. For more information, please email residency@bowistate.edu