Can I Afford To Go?

[sk8rmom]

<p>From UMass:

In general, if you are a dependent student and at least one parent or legal guardian has resided in Massachusetts for one year immediately preceding your enrollment, then you may qualify for in-state tuition. If you are a financially independent student, then the policy requires that you have lived in Massachusetts as a “traditional resident” (not a student) for twelve continuous months immediately preceding your enrollment or reenrollment at UMass. “Second residences” may not be used to qualify for Massachusetts residency.

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<p>From Penn State:</p>

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A: Generally, unless a student has 12 months of continuous residence in the state prior to enrollment, the student is considered a non-resident. The 12 month requirement cannot be met while attending Penn State - the student is assumed to be in the Commonwealth for educational purposes. Although the student might be considered a resident of the Commonwealth, the student would remain as a non-resident for tuition purposes, unless there was clear evidence that the student’s circumstances had changed and that a permanent, independent domicile in Pennsylvania has been estabished.

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<p>Many states, include MA and PA, consider the residency of a legal guardian. </p>

<p>SUNY is likely to be your most affordable option - as Mom2CK mentioned. The NYS TAP grant for 0 EFC NY’ers covers the full cost of tuition and there are other, usually unpublicized, grants that SUNY schools offer to help low-income students. I read your other thread and have the sense that the SUNY’s you mention were just thrown in there at your GC’s behest. Please take the time to investigate the SUNY’s and apply to those that actually interest you! There are many campuses across the state and they all are quite different, so if you’re using SUNY as a financial safety make sure you select one that you would be happy to attned. If you need help with SUNY choices, please post on the SUNY-General subforum under the Colleges tab.</p>