Tuition, Fees, and Expenses

• Tuition and Fees
• Supplementary Charges/Fees
• General Regulations Regarding Payments of Fees and Expenses
• In-State Status

Tuition and Fees

Fee charges are subject to change with approval by the Board of Regents. All charges are announced in advance. A schedule of charges is available from the Office of Administrative Affairs. Notwithstanding any other provision of this or any other University publication, the University reserves the right to make changes in tuition, fees, and other charges at any time such charges are deemed necessary by the University and the University System of Maryland Board of Regents. Please click on the Tuition and Fees¹ link below for the 2021-2022 academic year.

Tuition and Fees 

Supplementary Charges/Fees

(all students applicable)

¹Notwithstanding any other provision of this or any other University publication, UMES reserves the right to make changes in tuition, fees and other charges at any time such changes are deemed necessary by the University System of Maryland Board of Regents.  The University reserves the right to provide some or all instruction and related academic activities through alternative methods of delivery, including remote delivery. It also reserves the right to change the method of delivery before or during an academic term in the event of a health or safety emergency or other circumstance when it determines that such change is necessary or in the best interests of the campus community. Tuition and mandatory fees will not be reduced or refunded if the University changes the delivery method for any or all of an academic session.
²All Fees are subject to annual adjustments.
³Students residing in the traditional Residence Halls and the Student Apartments are required to be on the board plan.
⁴Laboratory fees may vary by department.
⁵A transcript of a student’s record will not be furnished to any student or alumni unless the student’s financial obligations to the University have been satisfied.

General Regulations Regarding Payment of Fees and Expenses

Payment by Check or Money Order

All checks and money orders should be made payable to UMES for the exact amount. Payments can be made at the Office of Student Accounts or by mail unless otherwise instructed.

Returned Checks

Any checks returned for any reason will result in a returned check fee of $35.00. The student’s account will thereafter be stamped “No Personal Checks” and all future payments must be paid by cash, money order, credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express), or cashier’s check.

Payments from Scholarship Funds

A student awarded a scholarship and/or grant will have the amount of the award applied towards his/her account in the Office of Student Accounts once he or she has completed their payment confirmation and Financial Aid has been reviewed. Any student who does not complete their payment confirmation will be dropped from their classes. This applies to veterans as well.

No student whose account is in arrears should be admitted to classes, the Dining Hall or in Residence Life. Any student indebted to the University is likewise prevented from having a degree conferred or a transcript released until the total debt is cleared.

Collection Procedures of Past Due Accounts

In accordance with State of Maryland regulations, past due accounts are subject to a collection fee of 17% and are forwarded to the Maryland State Central Collection Unit for further action.

Reduction of Fees for Change in Registration

Students who officially change their enrollment status from full-time to part-time (eleven hours or less) by dropping a course or courses will be eligible for a reduction of fees in accordance with the following:

1. If the change in enrollment status occurs during the first two weeks following the beginning of classes, fees will be assessed on the basis of the appropriate part-time fees plus 25% of the difference between the full-time and the appropriate part-time fees.
2. The effective date of the change in registration is the date the change is filed in the Office of the Registrar. No refund will be processed for changes in registration, which occur after the first two weeks of classes.

Property Damage Fees

Students will be charged for damage to property or equipment. Where the responsibility for the damage can be fixed, the student will be billed. Where responsibility cannot be fixed, the cost of repairing the damage or replacing equipment will be prorated among all individuals held responsible.

In-State Status

General Policy

It is the policy of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore to grant in-state status for admission, tuition, and charge-differential purposes as defined by the University of Maryland Policy on Student Residency Classification for Admission, Tuition, and Charge-Differential Purposes (see complete policy below).

Procedures for the Determination of In-State Status for Admissions, Tuition, and Charge-Differential Purposes

An initial determination of in-state status for admission, tuition, and charge-differential purposes will be made at the time a student’s application for admission is under consideration. The determination made at that time, and any determination made thereafter, shall prevail for each subsequent term unless the determination is successfully challenged in a timely manner.

A student may request a re-evaluation of residency status by filing an Application for Change in Residency Classification (hereinafter referred to as Application). A student must meet the requirements for in-state status and submit a completed Application (including all documents therein). THERE IS NO LONGER A LATE REGISTRATION DATE for the term the student wishes to be classified as in-state. No change in status requested by the student shall be given retroactive effect prior to the term for which a timely Application was filed. A student may file only one Application per term.

A determination of in-state status is valid only if a student actually enrolls in the term in question. Determinations, which are made in cases where the student does not actually enroll, are not valid for a subsequent term, with respect to which, requirements must be independently satisfied and a new and timely Application submitted.

Change of In-State Status

Students classified as in-state for admission tuition and charge-differential purposes are responsible for notifying the Office of Admissions in writing within 15 days of any change in their circumstances which might in any way affect their classification.

University of Maryland Policy on Student Residency Classification for Admission, Tuition and Charge-Differential Purposes.

1. POLICY
   1. It is the policy of the Board of Regents of the University of Maryland System to recognize the categories of in-state and out-of-state students for purposes of admission, tuition, and charge differentials at those institutions where such differentiation has been established. The student is responsible for providing the information necessary to establish eligibility for in-state status.
      1. Students who are financially independent or financially dependent, as hereinafter defined, shall have their residency classification determined based on permanent residency. For purpose of this policy, a permanent residence is a person’s permanent place of abode as determined by the following criteria. Such students will be assigned in-state status for admission, tuition, and charge differential purposes only if the student (if financially independent) or the student’s parent, guardian or spouse (in the case of a financially dependent student):
      2. Owns or rents and occupies living quarters in Maryland. There must exist a genuine deed or lease in the individual’s name reflecting payments/rents and terms typical of those in the community at the time executed. Persons not having such a lease may submit an affidavit reflecting payments/rents and terms as well as the name and address of the person to whom payments are made which may be considered as meeting this condition. As an alternative to ownership or rental of living quarters in Maryland, a students may share living quarters in Maryland which are owned or rented and occupied by a parent, legal guardian, or spouse;
      3. Maintains within Maryland substantially all personal property;
      4. Pays Maryland income tax on all earned taxable income including all taxable income earned outside the State;
      5. Registers all owned motor vehicles in Maryland in accordance with Maryland law;
      6. Possesses a valid Maryland driver’s license, if licensed, in accordance with Maryland law;
      7. Is registered in Maryland, if registered to vote;
      8. Receives no public assistance from a state other than the State of Maryland or from a city, county or municipal agency other than one in Maryland; and,
      9. Has a legal ability under federal and Maryland law to reside permanently without interruption in Maryland.
      10. Is not residing in the State of Maryland primarily to attend an educational institution.
   2. In addition to meeting all of the criteria set forth in the preceding section, to qualify for in-state status on the basis of permanent residence, a student or, if the student is financially dependent, the parent, legal guardian, or spouse, must have resided in Maryland for at least twelve (12) consecutive months immediately prior to and including the last date available for late registration or the forthcoming semester or session and must have continuously resided in Maryland during the period.
   3. If a student is financially dependent as hereinafter defined, the permanent residence of the parent, guardian, or spouse on whom he/she is dependent shall determine in-state status. If a student is financially independent, the permanent residence of the student shall determine in-state status.
   4. In-state status based on permanent residence is lost at any time a financially independent student establishes a permanent residence outside the State of Maryland. If the parent, guardian, or spouse through whom a financially dependent student has attained in-state status establishes a permanent residence outside the State of Maryland, the in-state status is lost. In each instance, the student will then be assessed out-of-state tuition and charges beginning the next semester or session.
   5. In addition, the following categories of students shall have in-state status:
      1. A full-time or part-time (at least 50 percent time) permanent employee of the University of Maryland System;
      2. The spouse or dependent child of a full-time or part-time (at least 50 percent time) permanent employee of the University of Maryland System;
      3. A full-time active member of the Armed Forces of the United States whose home of residency is Maryland or one who resides or is stationed in Maryland, or the spouse or a financially dependent child of such a person; and
      4. A graduate assistant.

Students not entitled to in-state status under the preceding paragraphs shall be assigned out-of-state status for admission, tuition, and charge-differential purposes.

2. PROCEDURES
   1. The date on which conditions for in-state classification must be met is the last published date to register for the forthcoming semester or session. In those instances where an entering class size is established and where an application deadline is stated, institutions may require that conditions for in-state classification must be satisfied as of the announced closing application date.
   2. A change in status must be requested in writing by a student prior to the last published date of registration in order to be effective for the semester or session. A student applying for a change of in-state status must furnish appropriate documentation as required by the institution.
   3. The student shall notify the institution in writing within fifteen (15) days of any change of circumstances which may alter in-state status.
   4. In the event incomplete, false, or misleading information is presented, the institution may, at its discretion, revoke an assignment of in-state status, in addition to other disciplinary actions provided for by the institution’s policy.
   5. Each institution of the University of Maryland System shall develop and publish additional procedures to implement this policy. Procedures shall provide that on request the President or designee has the authority to waive any residency requirement as set forth in IA and IB, if it is determined that the student is indeed a permanent resident and application of the criteria creates an unjust result. Such procedures must provide for appeal to the President or designee of any residency determination using a system-wide petition form. These procedures shall be filed with the office of the Chancellor.
3. DEFINITIONS
   1. Financially Dependent: For purposes of this policy, a financially dependent student is one who is claimed as a dependent for tax purposes, or who receives more than one-half or his or her support from a parent, legal guardian, or spouse during the twelve (12) month period immediately prior to the last published date for registration for the semester or session. If a student receives more than one-half of his or her support in the aggregate from a parent and/or legal guardian and/or spouse, the student shall be considered financially dependent on the person providing the greater amount of support.
   2. Financially Independent: A financially independent student is one who (1) declares himself or herself to be financially independent as defined herein: (2) does not appear as a dependent on the Federal or State income tax return of any other person; (3) receives less than one-half of his or her support from any other person or persons; and (4) demonstrates that he or she provides through self-support one-half or more of his or her total expenses.
   3. Parent: A parent may be a natural parent, or, if established by a court order recognized under the law of the State of Maryland, an adoptive parent.
   4. Guardian: A guardian is a person so appointed by a court order recognized under the law of the State of Maryland.
   5. Spouse: A spouse is a partner in a legally contract marriage.
   6. Support: Except as set forth in (2) of this section, support shall mean financial or material support, including gifts, services, and trusts, including income or benefits derived from one’s family. Support shall not include grants, stipends, awards, and benefits (including Federal and State student aid, grants, and loans) received for the purpose of education or by virtue of an individual’s status or prospective status as a student. Such resources shall not be considered in calculating a student’s financial dependence or independence.