{"id":4231,"date":"2025-11-26T11:53:01","date_gmt":"2025-11-26T15:53:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/admissions\/?page_id=4231"},"modified":"2026-01-05T11:39:46","modified_gmt":"2026-01-05T15:39:46","slug":"maryland-dream-act-daca-asylee-refugee-applicants","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/admissions\/maryland-dream-act-daca-asylee-refugee-applicants\/","title":{"rendered":"Maryland Dream Act, DACA, Asylee\/Refugee Applicants\/Permanent Resident Aliens\/Other Visa Holders"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><strong>Maryland Dream Act, DACA, Asylee\/Refugee Applicants<br>Office of Undergraduate Admissions and Recruitment \u2013 University of Maryland Eastern Shore<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading margin-top-10px has-header-secondary-bg-color-background-color has-background\">Overview<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">UMES is committed to providing access, support, and clear guidance for students eligible under the Maryland Dream Act, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), and Asylee\/Refugee&nbsp;Permanent Residents, and various other&nbsp;pathways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This page provides eligibility requirements, required documentation, and instructions for submitting residency and financial aid materials. Applicants should review the checklist carefully to avoid delays in processing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Reminder:<\/strong>&nbsp;<em>Only applications that are completed with all required documentation will be considered.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-header-secondary-bg-color-background-color has-background\">1. Eligibility Requirements<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Maryland Dream Act (USM Non-Resident Tuition Differential Exemption)<\/strong> <strong>Eligibility<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Maryland Dream Act provides&nbsp;eligible Maryland High School graduates,&nbsp;who are&nbsp;non-immigrant aliens, who meet all requirements listed on the Maryland Dream Act form,&nbsp;the opportunity to&nbsp;be exempt from paying the non-resident tuition differential at all public colleges and universities in Maryland. Eligible students will pay&nbsp;in-state tuition rates.&nbsp;Students must submit&nbsp;a&nbsp;completed&nbsp;Maryland Dream Act&nbsp;application&nbsp;and all required&nbsp;documents&nbsp;to the Admissions Office prior to the start of&nbsp;the term. To be considered for in-state tuition under the Maryland Dream Act, applicants&nbsp;must be admitted to UMES, submit a Maryland Dream Act form with supporting documents,&nbsp;and&nbsp;must meet the following&nbsp;requirements:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Attended a&nbsp;public or non-public&nbsp;Maryland high school<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Graduated from a&nbsp;public or non-public&nbsp;Maryland high school or earned a Maryland GED&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Enrolled as an entering student&nbsp;at a Maryland public institution within&nbsp;6&nbsp;years&nbsp;of&nbsp;graduating from a public or non-public&nbsp;high school&nbsp;or GED&nbsp;in Maryland<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If applicable, provide&nbsp;the institution with a copy of an affidavit regarding the filing of an application to become a permanent resident within 30 days after the individual becomes eligible to do so.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If applicable, provides the institution with documentation that the student has complied with the requirement to register with the Selective Service System<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If applicable, provides the institution with documentation that the individual or the individual\u2019s parent or legal guardian has filed a Maryland income tax return annually for the 3-year period before the academic year in which the tuition rate exemption would apply.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In addition to the above requirements, students seeking tuition exemption must also meet the following additional requirements:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>An individual shall retain the individual\u2019s tuition status at a public institution of higher education if the individual:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>&nbsp;Uses an address in the State on the Maryland income tax return of the individual or the individual\u2019s parent or legal guardian&nbsp;annually&nbsp;until the individual is awarded a degree from the public institution of higher education; and<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>On or after June 15, 2012, was exempt from paying the out-of-state or out-of-county tuition rate at a public institution of higher education.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After receiving admission to UMES, eligible students should submit a&nbsp;(<a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1ou9HIGq4DXYb5gkMMYtXT7EmUHGJAh-xBeWkYlvanPU\/edit?tab=t.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Non-Resident Tuition Exemption Form<\/a>)&nbsp;and supporting documents to be considered for the Maryland Dream Act Tuition Exemption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>DACA Students<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program protects eligible immigrant youth who came to the United States when they were children from deportation. DACA students can temporarily qualify for in-state tuition by submitting to The Undergraduate Admissions and Recruitment Office prior to the start of the term. Deferred Action status must be held for 12 consecutive months prior to the start of the term to be eligible for in-state tuition rates. If this status is not held for 12 months, students should submit their application receipt to assist with establishing 12 months.<br><br><strong>DACA students may qualify for Maryland in-state tuition if they:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Have <strong>current or expired<\/strong> DACA status (documentation required)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Meet the USM <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usmd.edu\/regents\/bylaws\/SectionVIII\/VIII270.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Policy on Student Classification for Admissions and Tuition Purposes<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Provide proof of DACA status by submitting one of the following:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Form I-797 approval notice (if applicable)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Employment Authorization Document (EAD) with C33 category<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Asylee\/Refugee Applicants<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Applicants granted asylee or refugee status must provide:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Form I-94 showing asylee or refugee classification,&nbsp;<strong>or<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>I-797 Approval Notice,&nbsp;<strong>or<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Refugee\/Asylee travel document<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Proof of Maryland residency (e.g., lease, utility bill, driver\u2019s license, state tax return)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-header-secondary-bg-color-background-color has-background\">2. Required Forms &amp; Documentation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Below are the forms and required materials by category:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Minimum Required for ALL Applicants<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Proof of Maryland residency<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Required tax documents (student or parent\/guardian) when applicable<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>High school transcripts or GED certificate<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Additional Documents (Based on Category)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Category<\/th><th>Required Additional Documentation<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Maryland Dream Act<\/strong><\/td><td>3 years MD high school attendance,\u00a0graduated from a\u00a0MD high school diploma\/GED,\u00a0enrolled in public higher education in MD within 6 years;3 years\u00a0of MD tax filings\u00a0by student or parent<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>DACA<\/strong><\/td><td>I-797\u00a0DACA Approval notice\u00a0(optional), current\/expired EAD card\u00a0with C33 EAD category<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Asylee\/Refugee<\/strong><\/td><td>I-94 or I-797 showing\u00a0approved\u00a0status, refugee\/asylee travel document<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Permanent Resident Alien (Green Card Status)<\/strong><\/td><td>I-797 Approval Notice, expired or current Green Card<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Pending Asylum Applicant (C08 EAD Status)<\/strong><\/td><td>I-797 Notice of Action; EAD card with C08 EAD category; Maryland Dream Act tuition exemption form with supporting documents<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Other Visa\/Immigration Status<\/strong><\/td><td>I-797 Notice of Action; Approval Notices form USCIS; visa; passport stamp; EAD card; any support document reflecting current visa status<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-header-secondary-bg-color-background-color has-background\">3. Submission Instructions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Please follow the steps below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How to Submit<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Submit all documents&nbsp;together in a single packet&nbsp;to avoid delays.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Email submissions preferred:\u00a0<strong><a href=\"mailto:umesadmissions@umes.edu\">umesadmissions@umes.edu<\/a><\/strong><br>Physical submissions may be brought to:<br>Undergraduate Admissions and Recruitment<br>1 College Backbone Road<br>SDC-Suite 1140<br>Princess Anne, MD 21853<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Deadlines<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Fall Applicants<\/strong>:&nbsp;July 1<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Spring Applicants<\/strong>:&nbsp;December 1<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Summer Applicants<\/strong>:&nbsp;May 1<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Late or incomplete submissions will delay residency decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-header-secondary-bg-color-background-color has-background\">4. Communication &amp; Support<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We are here to help. Applicants with questions about eligibility or documentation may contact:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Undergraduate Admissions and Recruitment&nbsp;<br>1 College Backbone Road<br>SDC-Suite 1140<br>Princess Anne, MD 21853<br><strong><a href=\"mailto:umesadmissions@umes.edu\">umesadmissions@umes.edu<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Office Hours<\/strong>:&nbsp;Monday \u2013 Friday, 8:30am \u2013 4:30pm<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Important<\/strong>:&nbsp;Staff in Admissions&nbsp;Office have been briefed on these requirements and can help direct applicants to this page for detailed guidance.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Maryland Dream Act, DACA, Asylee\/Refugee ApplicantsOffice of Undergraduate Admissions and Recruitment \u2013 University of Maryland Eastern Shore Overview UMES is committed to providing access, support, and clear guidance for students eligible under the Maryland Dream Act, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), and Asylee\/Refugee&nbsp;Permanent Residents, and various other&nbsp;pathways. This page provides eligibility requirements, required documentation,&#8230;<span class=\"cpschool-read-more-link-holder\"><a class=\"btn btn-basic cpschool-read-more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/admissions\/maryland-dream-act-daca-asylee-refugee-applicants\/\">Read more <span class=\"sr-only\">Maryland Dream Act, DACA, Asylee\/Refugee Applicants\/Permanent Resident Aliens\/Other Visa Holders<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","footnotes":""},"folder":[],"class_list":["post-4231","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/admissions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4231","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/admissions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/admissions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/admissions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/admissions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4231"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/admissions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4231\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/admissions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4231"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"folder","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/admissions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/folder?post=4231"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}