Memorial University of Newfoundland has expanded its residency policy to include military personnel and RCMP families [1].

This change removes previous barriers for families who move frequently due to government service, ensuring that dependents of service members can access the same educational opportunities as local residents.

The updated policy, announced June 28, 2026 [3], broadens the definition of residency to better accommodate those serving in the Canadian Armed Forces and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police [1]. By adjusting these requirements, the university intends to increase overall access to higher education for these specific groups [1, 2].

For many families, the shift provides a more predictable path toward professional degrees and undergraduate studies. The policy ensures that the transient nature of military and police life does not penalize students when they apply for admission or tuition rates [2].

Lt.-Col. Anthony (Tony) McDonald said it is a good feeling to know his daughter Rebecca now has a "fair shot" at attending medical school at Memorial University [1].

The move comes as the government seeks to better support the families of those who provide national and provincial security. The expanded definition allows students to qualify for residency status based on their parents' service roles, rather than strictly on a fixed duration of physical presence in the province [2].

“Memorial University of Newfoundland has expanded its residency policy to include military personnel and RCMP families.”

This policy shift addresses a long-standing friction point for government employees whose careers necessitate frequent relocation. By decoupling residency from static geographic presence, the university is acknowledging the unique professional circumstances of military and RCMP families, potentially increasing the diversity of the student body and reducing the financial and administrative hurdles for dependents of public servants.