How is residency established if parents are divorced

[Gerry058]

I live in RI and son’s mom lives right over the border in MA (15 miles). We have joint custody. Would my son be considered a RI or MA resident, or possibly both? Thanks in advance.

[1Dreamer]

Each school/system has its own method of determining state residency for tuition purposes, which may be entirely different than what constitutes residency for other purposes (taxes, voting, etc.). Once you determine what college your son is interested in, you’ll need to go to their website.

For instance, here’s a link with info on residency status for UMass Amherst http://www.umass.edu/dean_students/campus-policies/residency

Hope that helps.

[Conformist1688]

Which state does he go to school n?

Where does he spend more nights sleeping?

[sybbie719]

start here
http://www.umass.edu/dean_students/campus-policies/residency

MA Rules and Regulations for Governing Residency

section 1.4 part e states

e) if the father and mother are divorced, separated or unmarried, the parent who
has been awarded legal custody of the person; or, if legal custody has not been
awarded, the parent with whom the person lives. With respect to any adopted
student, the word “adoptive” should be inserted before the words “father” and
“mother” wherever used.

While you and your ex may have joint custody, for college related things (filing the FAFSA, CSS profile, determining in-state residency, etc) the custodial parent will be the parent who the child lives with.

@UMas Amherst

The Tuition Break Program was created by the New England Board of Higher Education to make a broad education available to all New England residents. The program gives a tuition break to New England residents enrolled in certain programs not offered by their home state’s public colleges and universities. Tuition Break Program students from Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont enrolled at UMass Amherst pay 50% above in-state tuition, rather than out-of-state tuition, if they choose a major not offered in their home state. No additional application is required.

https://www.umass.edu/admissions/facts-and-figures/tuition-and-fees/tuition-break-program

Your son, may still end up getting in-state tuition through your residence in MA. Your best bet would be to contact UMass Amherst to find out their policy as it pertains to your situation.

[intparent]

Some states still allow in state tuition even if the kid doesn’t live there more nights a year. I think Floridais an example. You need to read the residency rules for your two states, and possible call the universities he is interested in if it is unclear.