Residency Credit Limit Changes for Graduate Students
Information on this page is specifically in regards to Graduate Students who are admitted and enrolled through the Graduate School.
Important: Changes to the definition of full-time & half-time enrollment status for graduate students will affect the residency reclassification process beginning the Autumn 2027 semester.
Under the updated definition of full-time enrollment:
- Full-time: 6 or more credits per semester
- Half-time: 3 credits per semester.
What This Means for Students
The University of Montana is granting a transition period for graduate students who are currently completing their 12-month residency reclassification waiting period and are planning to petition for reclassification for the Spring 2027, Summer 2027, or Autumn 2027 semesters.
Graduate students are considered half-time for residency purposes if they are registered for 7 or fewer credits per semester for the Autumn 2026, Spring 2027, and Summer 2027 semesters.
Beginning with the Autumn 2027 semester, only graduate students who are enrolled in in 3 or fewer credits will be considered half-time for residency purposes, to be in accordance with updated enrollment status definitions.
Unique Circumstances
University Housing
Graduate and professional students must be enrolled in at least six credits during the fall and spring semesters to be eligible for university housing. Students enrolled below the minimum housing eligibility credit threshold are not eligible to reside in university housing. For housing eligibility purposes, it is presumed that a student living in university housing based on their student status is present in Montana primarily for educational purposes, while residency applicants must demonstrate that they are in Montana primarily for reasons other than education.
Graduate Students on TA/RA Contracts.
If you are a graduate student with a TA/RA appointment with tuition support, and are considering residency reclassification, please work with your department to review the length of your funding and determine the best option. Depending on your circumstances, you may benefit more from completing the residency reclassification waiting period or from taking additional credits while your TA/RA tuition support is available and choosing not to pursue reclassification.
Receiving a TA/RA appointment does not exempt students from adhering to the requirements, or overcoming the presumptions, listed in the Board of Regents Policy 940.1. Residency eligibility is determined through the formal review process and cannot be guaranteed in advance.
Students should carefully review their enrollment plans and consult with the Registrar's Office to ensure they are following the Board of Regents 940.1 Policy with the new definitions of full-time and half-time enrollment status.
DISCLAIMER:
All the guidance listed on this page is in relation to the Board of Regents Policy 940.1 regarding residency for tuition purposes. This policy states the follow:
D. 5. It is presumed that any person who is registered for more than half of a full-time credit load as defined by the program of study, including online credits from any institution of higher education, is present in the state primarily for educational purposes and cannot qualify for residency unless the person can demonstrate with clear and convincing evidence that they moved to Montana primarily for purposes other than education.
This means if you are enrolling in more than three credits while attempting to gain residency for tuition purposes, you should be prepared to overcome the above presumption. Per the Student Guide to Montana Resident “a presumption applies to you, you must overcome the presumption with clear and convincing evidence. In general, it is difficult to overcome a presumption. Because each case is unique, the evidence that is sufficient to overcome a presumption will vary.”
This means if you are enrolling in more than three credits while attempting to establish residency for tuition purposes, you will need to present sufficient evidence to demonstrate that you are primarily in Montana for purposes other than education. Per the Student Guide to Montana Resident, when “a presumption applies to you, you must overcome the presumption with clear and convincing evidence. In general, it is difficult to overcome a presumption. Because each case is unique, the evidence that is sufficient to overcome a presumption will vary.”
UM is not able to tell you if or when you might overcome a presumption, or be approved for instate prior to an official residency petition/appeal being submitted.
For more information, please review BOR Policy 940.1 Policy and review the Universities Residency Reclassification Webpage.