Massachusetts GI Bill Tuition and Residency Requirements

Tuition Waiver for Massachusetts Military Personnel

Massachusetts is one of only a handful of states that offers a tuition waiver for veterans, but you have to be a state resident to qualify. Active-duty military personnel who are state residents, regardless of where they are stationed, can also get the tuition waiver. The benefit covers tuition but not fees or additional costs such as books or room and board. It can be used at any public community college, college or university in Massachusetts, according to the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education.

To be eligible for the waiver, veterans must have served at least 90 days on active duty and received an honorable discharge. National Guard and Reserves veterans with 180 days on active duty are also eligible. Veterans must supply form DD 214 and proof of residency when applying.

Active-duty personnel stationed in Massachusetts are also eligible for the tuition waiver, regardless of whether they are Massachusetts residents. To apply as an active-duty military member, you need to submit a copy of your military ID, your change of station paperwork and your residency certificate, if you have one.

Particular requirements may vary according to the institution. For example, at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, only traditional courses are covered by the tuition waiver, so tuition is not waived for online or off-campus courses. Veterans must notify the Veterans' Benefits Coordinator every semester, as the waivers are not automatically applied to the student's account. Contact your school's financial aid office for exact details.

Massachusetts Residency and GI Bill Tuition Rates

The 2011 changes to the Post-9/11 GI Bill mean that tuition benefits at public schools are limited to in-state tuition rates, and veterans using the GI Bill to attend out-of-state schools must make up the difference between out-of-state and in-state tuition. Making sure you meet Massachusetts requirements for residency can help you maximize your GI Bill tuition benefits.

By federal law, any member of the armed services who is on active duty in a state for more than 30 days must be eligible for in-state tuition in the state where he or she lives or is stationed. The servicemember's spouse and children also are eligible for in-state rates. They remain eligible for in-state tuition even if posted out of state, so long as the student remains continuously enrolled.

Members of the military community who do not qualify for a tuition waiver or for in-state tuition through the military exemption must meet civilian requirements for Massachusetts residency.

According to the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education, you must have lived in Massachusetts for at least 12 months prior to enrollment to be considered a state resident, but this requirement is reduced to six months if you want to enroll in a community college. Physical presence in the state alone is not always sufficient for residency; you must also demonstrate intent to become a state resident. Intent can be shown by filing state income taxes, finding a job in Massachusetts or buying property in the state, but final residency determinations are up to school officials.

Other Massachusetts Benefits

Massachusetts also offers active members of the state's National Guard a tuition and fee waiver at public colleges and universities. The waiver can be applied to both undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

GIBill.com has done its best to ensure that the above information is accurate. However, GIBill.com cannot guarantee its accuracy and encourages you to check with your school for its residency requirements to qualify for in-state tuition.