Affording OOS Schools

College Search & Selection
1

<p>As a college student, I'm probably the last person that should be giving advice on financial issues as I have little experience in that regard. However, I do have experience when it comes to wanting to attend an out of state school and struggling to afford the astronomical tuition costs that come with being an OOS student. </p>

<p>Some individuals and families are quick to write-off out of state schools, especially flagship ones, that often carry upwards of $40,000 per year in tuition and fees for those coming from other states. I'm aware that some of these schools offer out of state discounts for good merits, but for those that don't meet these requirements or have that option with their school of choice, I'd just like to mention an alternative option.</p>

<p>I did my first year of college at a small private University in Indiana. Though the costs were expensive, it was nothing compared to what a lot of people are paying to attend OOS flagships. Knowing that I would transfer after my freshman year, I consulted my parents and having three other college-aged kids in our family, the tuition to attend anything outside of Wisconsin was not realistic.</p>

<p>If you're situation is similar, I just want to point out that you CAN take 12-months off, have your parents not claim you on their taxes, live in the state you want to go to college for 12-months, get a drivers licence, pay taxes in the state (employment), and change your voter and vehicle registration. For some states you can do this process in 6 months and get the OOS tuition off the table and claim yourself as a resident. </p>

<p>My best advice for anyone willing to sacrifice a year to afford an OOS school would be to be extremely careful that you research the procedures and requirements of the school in question, because Universities tend to be really harsh when it comes to granting in-state status. As long as you do everything perfectly, you should be fine. But if you make even the smallest mistake or forget to change one thing, you could completely destroy your chances.</p>

<p>It's risky. I wouldn't advise it if you aren't willing to take the risk, but something to keep in mind. I'm certain that others have told students this on this forum before, but I wanted to share my experience and how I was able to get in state status. I'd suggest for anyone considering this to live in the town or city your desired college is located so you can make friends and get connections prior to attending the University.</p>

<p>Anyway, just some thoughts. :) </p>

2

<p>Did you face any resistance from the college you transferred to? It’s a pretty solid plan, but I’m wondering whether a college that relies on OOS tuition for money would try to still classify you as OOS.</p>

3

<p>@dividerofzero If you take any online course, that immediately disqualifies you. That’s something they don’t mention on the websites, but you aren’t allowed to enroll in any type of class anywhere. You also will need to save all documentation that you have been paying rent along with pay stubs from work to show that you have been working for the full 12 months. The more evidence you can provide that you are emancipated in the state, the better your chances are. Everything you receive should be saved in a safe place and I suggest even making copies to assure you don’t lose out.</p>

<p>I’m making this sound more difficult than it is, I just wouldn’t want anyone to try it and then get denied. If you follow their process, you are almost guaranteed residency. Universities may say on their website that you ‘cannot establish residency for the sole purpose of attending a University’. South Carolina had this policy and it’s a deterrent. </p>

<p>I spoke on the phone with residency counselors before I went through the 12 months and they told me that by paying taxes in the state that shows them that you didn’t go to the state just to go to college. That line is more applicable to students who think just by living with someone or staying in the state will get them residency, it won’t. You have to be working. </p>

4

<p>Were you able to get employment that was worthwhile for what you want to do later in life? If not, it doesn’t seem like a good idea to suggest someone take a year off school to work at starbucks.</p>

5

<p>@Vlklngboy11 I received certification for teaching TRX courses at the University fitness center, so I did that for awhile. I’m a Kinesiology major, so I guess you could say that was advancing my career though that wasn’t exactly how I viewed it at the time. </p>

<p>One other thing to consider…it’s not like your parents can’t help you. Mine helped me a lot. They paid my car insurance, still paid my health insurance, etc. You don’t have to be completely cut off from your parents, they just cannot claim you on your taxes and you need to be making money. Otherwise, your parents can even pay for your apartment (they helped with mine a little bit).</p>

<p>EDIT) I know a lot of students who take a year-off in their home state. It’s really the same deal, you’re just not living at home. I actually saved a lot of money towards tuition during these 12 months and was able to make some payments on my loans. </p>

6

<p>

This is interesting but this is the more important:

Many/most universities will require the student to show sufficient income to prove their parents did NOT support them - including health insurance, car insurance, etc. </p>

7

<p>Reiterating what Erin’s Dad quoted about being EXTREMELY CAREFUL to research this. Every year, students here on CC will say that they heard that they can move to [fill in name of state] and live there for a year to claim residency. This is VERY much not the case for California. </p>

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<p>It helps to talk to their counselors. Most Universities have a specific department number that specializes in residency classifications. </p>

9

<p>And yes, each state is different. California is particularly hard, as is Florida. In my case, I didn’t need to provide any evidence that I paid my own insurance, because I didn’t. Like I said, it’s different everywhere though. </p>

10

<p>It definitely depends on the state and the school itself. W&M for instance, you have to prove that you lived there for up to 1-2 years and the move was due to “non-educational” reasons. Assuming that they are attempting to prevent the thing you described.</p>