No Out-of-State Surcharge for Veterans, Serving Members and Their Families
Md. Code, Education §15-106.4 exempts honorably discharged veterans residing or domiciled in Maryland, active service members stationed, residing or domiciled in Maryland, and certain Maryland National Guard members — and their FAMILIES — from the nonresident tuition surcharge at Maryland public institutions.
Verified August 27, 2026
What this benefit is
Md. Code, Education §15-106.4 exempts honorably discharged veterans residing or domiciled in Maryland, active service members stationed, residing or domiciled in Maryland, and certain Maryland National Guard members — and their FAMILIES — from the nonresident tuition surcharge at Maryland public institutions.
What it's worth: The nonresident tuition surcharge waived at Maryland public institutions
- It exempts from the NONRESIDENT tuition surcharge, so the in-state rate applies.
- It reaches honorably discharged veterans residing OR DOMICILED in Maryland — domicile is an alternative to residence and is a lower bar in some circumstances.
- It reaches active service members stationed, residing or domiciled in Maryland.
- Certain Maryland National Guard members are covered.
- IT REACHES THEIR FAMILIES. A spouse or child should claim in their own right rather than assuming it is the servicemember's alone.
- The value is the out-of-state surcharge, which differs by institution — so no figure is published.
Who is entitled to it
- You were honorably discharged.
- You are in Maryland.
Not sure whether that describes you?
Answer a few questions about this benefit specifically — we only ask what this one actually depends on, and we stop as soon as we know.
How to claim it
Deadline: At admission- 1Petition the institution's residency office at admission, citing Md. Code, Education §15-106.4.
- 2Family members: claim in your own right. The section reaches you and institutions do not always volunteer that.
- 3If you are domiciled rather than resident, say so — domicile is an alternative route in the statute.
- 4Take the DD-214, or current orders if serving.
- 5Maryland Guard members should ask specifically; certain categories are covered.
- Form
- Residency classification petition
- File with
- Your Maryland public institution's residency office
- Documents you will need
- dd214
- No renewal
- Once granted it does not need renewing.
Sources
- authority · statuteMd. Code, Education §15-106.4
- operating · published policyMaryland Higher Education Commission
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