Maryland Dream Act
The Maryland Dream Act became law on December 6, 2012, and applies to all future semesters, starting with the 2013 winter session and beyond. The law allows Maryland high school graduates who are undocumented immigrants, U.S. citizens, and other statuses the opportunity to qualify for the lowest tuition rates at their public colleges and universities upon meeting certain eligibility requirements and submitting required documentation.
The Office of Records & Registration is available for in-person services. You may
submit your completed documentation via email to the following staff:
Germantown: pamela.wessells@montgomerycollege.edu
Rockville: Rockville students, please contact the Germantown representative for assistance.
Takoma Park/Silver Spring: Vacant
New Students
Summer/Fall 2024 Student
You may qualify for a lower tuition rate (in-state or in-county) at Montgomery College if you meet the requirements of the Maryland Dream Act.
What are the requirements of the law?
A student must have:
- Attended a Maryland high school
- Graduated from a Maryland high school or received a Maryland GED
- Registered within six years after graduating from a Maryland high school or receiving a Maryland GED
If you meet the requirements, your next step is to complete the forms required by the law.
The following forms must be submitted to Montgomery College Office of Records & Registration Office. The deadline to submit the required forms are as follows:
- Summer I 2024: May 31, 2024
- Summer II 2024: July 12, 2024
- A signed affidavit (PDF, ) vowing to file an application to become a permanent resident within 30 days after becoming eligible to apply.
- If male and 18 to 25 years old, proof that registered for Selective Servicenew window online or at any U.S. Post Office.
- Copies of your Maryland state income tax returnsnew window or the returns filed by your parents or legal guardian for the previous three (3) years. This Maryland state tax return will state Form 502 or Form 503 at the top in bold print. The tax returns must be signed by the taxpayer.
- An official copy of your high school transcriptnew window that shows your graduation from a public or nonpublic high school in Maryland. If you received a Maryland GED, both the Maryland high school transcript and a copy of your Maryland GED should be submitted.
How do I know what tax returns to submit?
Submit signed Maryland state income tax returns for the previous three (3) years. If it’s your first time applying and it’s within 6 years of graduating high school, you will have to submit the following tax returns to qualify for the lowest tuition rate for the Summer 2024:
- 2022
- 2021
- 2020
* Paperwork submitted after the deadline will not be considered for that current semester, and will be deferred to the next semester.
If you meet the requirements, your next step is to complete the forms required by the law.
The following forms must be submitted to Montgomery College Office of Records & Registration Office. The deadline to submit the required forms are as follows:
- September 20, 2024
- A signed affidavit (PDF, ) vowing to file an application to become a permanent resident within 30 days after becoming eligible to apply.
- If male and 18 to 25 years old, proof that registered for Selective Servicenew window online or at any U.S. Post Office.
- Copies of your Maryland state income tax returnsnew window or the returns filed by your parents or legal guardian for the previous three (3) years. This Maryland state tax return will state Form 502 or Form 503 at the top in bold print. The tax returns must be signed by the taxpayer.
- An official copy of your high school transcriptnew window that shows your graduation from a public or nonpublic high school in Maryland. If you received a Maryland GED, both the Maryland high school transcript and a copy of your Maryland GED should be submitted.
How do I know what tax returns to submit?
Submit signed Maryland state income tax returns for the previous three (3) years. If it’s your first time applying and it’s within 6 years of graduating high school, you will have to submit the following tax returns to qualify for the lowest tuition rate for the Fall 2024:
- 2023
- 2022
- 2021
* Paperwork submitted after the deadline will not be considered for that current semester, and will be deferred to the next semester.
You can only qualify for the lowest (in-county) tuition rate if you meet the requirements of the law. If you do not meet the requirements, you are not eligible to receive the in-county tuition rate through the Maryland Dream Act. Therefore, you will be assigned the out-of-state tuition rate at Montgomery College.
Montgomery College is here to assist you throughout this process. Contact one of our Records & Registration Office representatives listed below.
Germantown Campus
Pamela Wessells, pamela.wessells@montgomerycollege.edu
Rockville Campus
Rockville students, please contact the Germantown Representative for assistance.
Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus: Vacant
Returning Students
The information provided on this page is for students who have previously applied and been approved for the Dream Act at Montgomery College.
If you have already been approved for the Dream Act at MC, you will need to reapply every academic year. For example, if you were previously approved for the Dream Act for the 2020–2021 academic year, you will need to reapply for the Dream Act for the 2021–2022 academic year.
The following forms must be submitted to Montgomery College in order to get re-approved for the Dream Act. The priority deadlines are July 1 for fall semesters, January 1 for spring semesters, and May 1 for summer semesters. The latest possible deadlines to submit paperwork is by the end of the third week of classes for fall and spring semesters, and the end of the first week of classes for summer terms.
If you have not reapplied for the Dream Act by August 1, your tuition will be changed to out of state.
- A new signed affidavit (PDF, ) vowing to file an application to become a permanent resident within 30 days after becoming eligible to apply.
- Copies of your Maryland state income tax returnsnew window or the returns filed by your parents or legal guardian for the most recent tax year(s).
This Maryland state income tax return will state Form 502 or Form 503 at the top in
bold print. The tax return must be signed by the taxpayer.
- For example, if you are reapplying for the Dream Act for the 2019-2020 academic year and you wish to take classes during the fall or spring semester, submit a new affidavit and the signed Maryland state income tax return for 2018.
* Paperwork submitted after the deadline will not be considered for that current semester and will be deferred to the next semester.