2.1 For the purpose of assessing tuition and fees, each student shall be classified as a. "Massachusetts resident" or a "Non-Massachusetts resident.Your legal and residency status in Massachusetts affects how you file your taxes. Find out what you should file and how to report your income. In order to attend the Somerville Public Schools, a student must reside in the City of Somerville. "Residence" is the place where a person dwells permanently. On April 19, 2007, the Board of Higher Education adopted a new systemwide policy governing residency status for tuition classification purposes. A student's actual residence is considered to be the place where he or she lives permanently. Every person shall have a right to attend the public schools of the town where he actually resides, subject to the following section. A resident shall be deemed to be a person who has resided in the Commonwealth for 7 consecutive years or more prior to enrollment.