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ACADEMIC COMMON MARKET
In-State Tuition for Select Out-of-State
Programs
ACM RESOURCES:
New contact information as of November 14,
2011:
Maryland Higher Education Commission
6 N. Liberty Street, 10th Floor
Baltimore, MD 21201
Main: 410-767-3301
Fax: 410-332-0270
Email Inquiries ACM applications and documents to
acm@mhec.state.md.us
Note:
Virginia Tech will no longer participate in the ACM for any
major at any level as of Spring 2013. Students currently
approved for ACM may remain in the program as long as
requirements for continuation are met. Details are available on
the Virginia Tech University Registrar website:
http://www.registrar.vt.edu/records/common_market.php
Maryland residents must submit fall 2012 ACM applications
are due June 30, 2012.
VIRGINIA TECH’s DEADLINE FOR STUDENTS TO BE CERTIFIED FOR ACM
BENEFITS IS SEPTEMBER 4, 2012.
We are asking students, parents, and counselors to refrain
from calling for general information unless it's an urgent
matter. This website is full of information, program
policies and application procedures. See
ACM Policies and Procedures
(PDF) and ACM Frequently Asked
Questions (FAQ). Nearly all questions can be answered by
reviewing these web pages thoroughly. The State ACM
Coordinator, Dr. Genevieve Segura can respond more quickly to
email messages. Contact:
acm@mhec.state.md.us. Your cooperation is appreciated.
What is The Academic
Common Market (ACM)?:
The Academic Common Market (ACM) is a tuition-savings program
that operates on the premise that if public institutions
(not including private institutions) in a student’s home state
do not offer a degree program major (undergraduate or graduate)
that a student intends on pursuing, then s/he may attend a
participating ACM out-of-state institution offering the
degree of interest through the ACM and be granted a
waiver of out-of-state tuition charges. This serves as a
cost-saving measure for both parents and students as in-state
tuition rates are lower than out-of-state rates. It is also a
savings for the state, as these programs do not have to be
duplicated here in Maryland. The
Southern Regional Education
Board (SREB) and the state higher education agencies of the
fifteen (15) participating states administer the Academic Common
Market (ACM).
The Academic Common Market Electronic Campus (ACM/EC) consists
of select degrees and courses offered via distance education by
partnering ACM institutions. Eligible students file ACM applications,
receive ACM benefits, pay in-state tuition rates and study
online. SREB maintains current lists of ACM/EC (online) programs
at
www.electroniccampus.org
Which States Participate
in the ACM?:
Only
Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky,
Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina,
Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia participate in ACM.
Florida and Texas do not participate at the undergraduate level
in ACM. These States offer ACM benefits to graduate students
only. Please do not attempt to appeal to this agency to add a
state to the 15-state partnership. Many people from Pennsylvania
and New York ask to find a means to pressure their States to
join the Southern regional ACM program. Other regions in the
U.S. participate in similar reciprocal programs. Check your own
state board agency for information.
Which degree programs qualify for ACM benefits?
Associate degree programs and non-degree programs are
not eligible for ACM benefits. First professional degree
programs, such as law, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and
optometry are also not eligible for ACM benefits.
RESTRICTIONS
The restrictions
listed below are NOT all inclusive; for additional
restrictions, please contact the institution directly and see
the ACM Policies and
Procedures (PDF) and ACM
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
Students may submit
applications ONLY for programs listed in the current ACM
inventory; and only ONE application per student is permitted.
Participating
institutions have the right to set their own deadlines and
restrictions. Students are strongly advised to contact the
institution directly for this information; it is the student’s
responsibility to remain informed about and abide by the ACM
Policies of Maryland AND of the Institution they plan to attend.
Maryland residents may
submit applications only for programs listed in the current ACM
inventory.
The Maryland Higher
Education Commission (MHEC) is NOT accepting requests from
Maryland residents for additions to the inventory of
out-of-state programs available through the Academic Common
Market (ACM). This restriction will remain in effect until
further notice and cannot be appealed.
Participating ACM
institutions reserve the final right to add, close or restrict
programs; their decisions can not be appealed; MHEC may also
close or restrict programs without notice.
All programs listed in
the ACM inventory are subject to change without notice.
Please note: If a
student has been certified for the ACM in a program before it is
removed from the ACM inventory, the student will be
“grandfathered” and retain the ACM tuition benefit as long as
s/he remains continuously enrolled full-time in the ACM program,
remains in good academic standing (both defined by institution),
maintains home state residency and makes satisfactory progress
toward the degree.
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
Effective for the 2012-2013 academic year, as a result of the
“General Assembly of North Carolina's Appropriations Act of
2011”, the State of North Carolina will no longer participate in
the Academic Common Market program. This policy will remain in
effect until further notice. Academic Common Market students who
are enrolled in the program and begin study prior to July 1,
2012 in the University of North Carolina System may continue to
pay in-state tuition as long as the student (1) remains
continuously enrolled full-time in their approved ACM graduate
program (defined by institution), (2) remains in good academic
standing (defined by institution), (3) maintains home state
residency and (4) makes satisfactory progress toward the degree
IS ACM A FINANCIAL AID PROGRAM?
No, it is not a financial aid program or affiliated in
any manner with scholarships, award money or
financial aid packages that students receive. The ACM program is
not competitive, merit-based, or need-based. Given that the ACM
program represents a cooperative agreement among 15 states, the
State of Maryland also reciprocates and reduces tuition for
students from partnering ACM states. No funds are exchanged or
reimbursed between partnering ACM states. If students change
their majors later on in their studies, they are “forgiven” and
do not need to reimburse the partnering ACM state, institution
or Maryland. NOTE: ACM tuition benefits may affect a
student’s final financial aid/scholarship package since the
total amount may initially be based on the projected
out-of-state budget. ACM students should consult with their
campus financial aid advisors to avoid miscalculating their
awards and school expenses.
ACM benefits SHOULD NOT BE CONFUSED with Senatorial or
Delegate Scholarships!! Also known as Unique Major
Scholarships, the scholarships are NOT AFFILIATED in
any way with ACM. Each involves separate application processes,
criteria, policies, deadlines, and are administered by different
divisions of this agency. Be advised that receiving the ACM
tuition waiver does NOT guarantee that the ACM student will be
granted the Unique Major Scholarship. Likewise, the Unique Major
Scholarship does not ensure ACM privileges or automatically
change a student’s residency status to in-state. For further
information about scholarships, refer to the Maryland Higher
Education Commission’s website at
http://www.mhec.state.md.us/financialAid/descriptions.asp
Please see ACM Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and ACM
Policies and Procedures (PDF) for additional information.
What degree majors are available through the ACM for
Maryland residents? Numerous undergraduate and graduate
degree programs are available to Maryland residents through the
ACM. See the links below for a complete list:
Undergraduate ACM Programs for Maryland Residents
Graduate ACM Programs for Maryland Residents
ACM/Electronic Campus (Distance Education)
www.electroniccampus.org
Who may apply?
Currently enrolled Maryland high school seniors, full-time,
degree-seeking undergraduate and graduate students who have been
fully accepted or are already enrolled in an eligible program of
study at a participating public college/university may apply.
Additionally, students who have switched ACM majors must also
reapply as “new” ACM applicants and abide by the Maryland
deadlines. Once granted the ACM tuition waiver, it is not
necessary to reapply each year as long as the student
remains enrolled full-time and in good academic standing (both
defined by institution), does not change majors or institutions
(even to another ACM major or institution); and maintains home
state residency. Note: It is the student’s responsibility to
remain informed about and abide by the ACM Policies of Maryland
AND those of the Institution they plan to attend.
When to apply?
The ACM application and accompanying documents must
be submitted to the State ACM Coordinator by the following
deadline date(s):
Fall semester deadline - June 30th
Summer semester deadline - March 31st
Spring semester deadline - November 30th
***ACM application deadline dates are firm and may not be
appealed***
**Students, not the institutions, are held fully
responsible for being informed about the ACM application
deadlines as well as the institution’s deadlines**
ACM Application Status:
"Late" ACM applications will be reviewed for the following
semester
"Incomplete" ACM applications will be put on hold and will not
be approved until all of the required documentation is received
"Complete" ACM applications are accepted year-around as long
as the application is submitted by the deadline for the semester
the student is applying for
Besides Maryland’s ACM application closing deadlines, are there
any other important dates? The University of South
Carolina-Columbia has ACM deadlines and there may be others.
First time ACM applicants are advised to contact the university
and be fully informed of the institutional deadlines.
What are the ACM eligibility requirements?
In order to become eligible for the ACM tuition waiver,
all of the following criteria must be met:
Proof or Maryland residency (see Section D of
application)
Apply for a program listed in the current ACM inventory and
available to Maryland residents (see list of
Undergraduate/Graduate
ACM Programs for Maryland Residents)
Include a letter of acceptance into the specific program of
study offered at the out-of-state institution on institution
letterhead with the ACM Application (transcripts and proof of
registration are NOT acceptable)
"Conditionally" provisionally” admitted students who must
complete coursework before they are fully admitted to their ACM
major are NOT eligible for ACM tuition benefits
until formally
accepted into the major
Plan to enroll full-time (continuously) and remain in good
academic standing (both defined by the institution) while
pursuing the degree program
Submit the ACM Application and accompanying documents by the
deadline
Some institutions may impose additional acceptance
requirements; participating institutions have the right to set
eligibility requirements, restrictions and limitations; students
are strongly advised to contact the institution directly for
this information; it is the student’s responsibility to remain
informed about and abide by the ACM Policies of Maryland AND of
the Institution they plan to attend.
*** Not meeting any of these requirements will jeopardize the
student's eligibility for ACM tuition benefits and the student
will be denied ACM access. ***
Please see ACM Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and
ACM Policies
and Procedures (PDF) for additional information.
How to apply?
Maryland residents interested in studying at an
out-of-state ACM program; those who are transferring from one
ACM major to another; or returning to college after a leave of
absence must file an ACM application with the State ACM
Coordinator by the deadline and be certified as a Maryland
resident per the instructions below:
Complete the: ACM Application for Maryland Residents (DOC);
Maryland residents may submit only one (1) ACM application per
student; multiple applications will be returned
Select an available ACM program/institution (see list of
Undergraduate/Graduate ACM Programs for Maryland Residents);
Maryland residents may submit applications only for programs
listed in the current ACM inventory
Must be fully admitted to the ACM program major by following
the admission procedures for the institution and program
department
Certain institutions such as Auburn University have strict
admission policies pertaining to ACM applicants
Gather all required documents and attach to the ACM
application (see Section D of application)
Include an acceptance letter from the institution; the letter
must specify the major area of study and specialization or
concentration
(if any)
The admission letter may be submitted separately and after the
deadline as long as the ACM application has been submitted along
with all the other required documents by the deadline date
Fill out and mail the ACM Application for Maryland Residents
(DOC) (certified) with documents or email (recommended) the to
the State ACM Coordinator at the address on the form by the
deadline
To be considered timely, the application must be submitted by
the deadline with copies of the Maryland income tax return,
drivers license, vehicle registration and military earnings
statements/orders (if applicable) at the very least (see Section
D of ACM application)
Forward the application to the ACM Coordinator by the deadline
Is it necessary to reapply every year for ACM benefits?
No,
provided students:
Remain enrolled full-time (defined by institution)
Do not change majors or institutions (even to another ACM
major or institution)
Maintain good academic standing (defined by institution)
Retain home state residency
NOTE: A change in eligibility requirements will cause the
immediate termination of ACM benefits and reverse the student’s
status to “non-resident” beginning the semester the change was
made.
Eligibility changes also include switching to another ACM
program/institution. In this situation, the student must apply
for ACM benefits as a new applicant by the deadline and be
recertified by the Maryland State ACM Coordinator. Reapplication
does not guarantee reinstatement of ACM benefits. Institutions
have the right to set their own restrictions and not all ACM
intuitions allow students to participate in the ACM program as
recertified or reinstated. Students who experience changes in
eligibility risk a permanent loss of ACM benefits and are
therefore, advised to contact the institution directly for this
information in advance of making such decisions.
What will happen once ACM is approved?
Once a “complete”
application is received, the State ACM Coordinator will:
Verify the student’s residency, confirm the programs
eligibility for ACM benefits and certify the student as a
Maryland resident
Notify the applicant and institution of the student’s
eligibility/certification via mail within 4-6 weeks
The institution will either grant a tuition waiver equal to
the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition or
simply classify the student as an in-state resident. The
effective date of the waiver of out-of-state tuition will be the
next full semester/session after certification. For example, if
a student applies during the fall semester, the waiver would not
be effective until the spring semester.
NOTE: we are unable to accommodate requests to process
applications more rapidly; the average production rate is 4-to-6
weeks if not longer depending on the time of application.
Applications are processed in the order in which they are
received.
ALL
ACM documents will be destroyed for security purposes at
the beginning of the student’s first semester of enrollment.
It
is the student’s responsibility to keep a copy of their ACM
application documents, including the final ACM certification
letter, in a safe place.
Can the waiver of out-of-state tuition be applied retroactively?
The ACM tuition waiver is applicable only for the institution,
degree major and start date specified in the ACM certification
letter. Southern Regional Education Board policy prohibits
retroactive ACM tuition waivers. By the same token, if a student
switches to a non-ACM major or drops out, the tuition
differential benefits
DO NOT NEED TO BE REIMBURSED. ACM
application deadline dates and policies are firm, absolute, and
may not be appealed. Students, not the ACM
institution are
responsible to know the the State and campus deadlines and
policies.
Who can help me with a student account question?
For questions
about adjustments to a student account, contact the campus
Registrar. This agency cannot interfere with institutional
business nor student appeals involving ACM institutions.
CONTACT US:
Phone: (410) 767-3301
Email preferred:
acm@mhec.state.md.us
ACADEMIC COMMON MARKET DISCLAIMER: As the coordinating agency
for the State of Maryland’s participation in the Southern
Regional Education Board’s Academic Common Market (ACM) and
Electronic Campus (EC), The Maryland Higher Education Commission
(MHEC) reserves the right at its discretion and at any time to
remove academic programs offered by Maryland institutions from
the ACM and EC and/or remove access to academic programs at
out-of-state institutions offered to Maryland residents through
the ACM and EC. Students interested in applying to the ACM or EC
are encouraged to contact MHEC when application is made to an
out-of-state institution/program and to inquire on the program’s
status (either active or inactive) for Maryland residents.
Students who begin studies at one institution with the intent to
transfer to an ACM institution/program are not guaranteed ACM
access if the respective program is removed from the ACM during
their time at the institution of origin.
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November 14, 2011,
our new address is 6
N. Liberty St., Baltimore, MD 21201 | Phone: (410)
767-3301 | Toll Free: (800) 974-0203
