We have paid taxes in Maryland for MANY years, and my step-daughter was born in Maryland, and her dad lived in Maryland every year of her life. However, she graduated from HS in PA, so she did NOT qualify for in-state tuition. They are pretty strict when it comes to determining in-state status, and I haven’t heard of it in MD, but some states are actually starting to prosecute people who try to get around the rules. Don’t mean to be a “downer” but do be careful. Maryland is a great school, and California also has some very good schools.