I was listening to a college admissions podcast, and the financial aid expert was debunking popular myths. One of these myths was establishing residency in another state to get in-state tuition. After all, if it were so easy, everyone would go to school in FL (where I currently live and work) because tuition here is very low. The “expert” said that states make it very difficult for college students to establish residency. Simply moving off-campus is not enough. It would involve being truly independent, living in that state year-round, and establishing income; it would also require petitioning the state, which is aware that a college student would love to save money on tuition as an OOS student.
Maybe I’m wrong, or maybe this expert was wrong, but does anyone here have direct experience with establishing residency OOS in order to get a tuition discount? Again, something tells me that if it were this easy, everyone would do it and there would be no need for in-state vs. out-of-state tuition.
@hapworth it is not “easy”. I am not sure where the poster got the impression it is. In the state of Texas you have to prove employment too. In this instance FSU offered in state tuition to my OOS student if we agree to study abroad for the first year, then the following three years would be given in state tuition rates. Other schools offer instate tuition rates as a form of financial aid. I would dismiss the notion that establishing residency in order to qualify for in state tuition is “easy”.
I think each state sets its own qualifications, but there has been a general trend towards greater restrictiveness as college tuition has risen over the last 30 years. The salient points are that one can’t be assured of qualifying in advance, and qualifications are subject to change at any time prior to establishing residency. Therefore, matriculating at an OOS institution that one cannot otherwise afford on the assumption that residency can be established for upperclass years is a fool’s errand.
Note that this would not seem to have application where a college had furnished a written promise of in-state tuition; that’s a different matter.
Most states make it difficult for traditional-age undergraduates to change from non-resident to resident status for tuition purposes. In most cases, traditional-age undergraduates’ residency follows that of their parents. Utah may be an exception.
Some states to allow students who graduate high school in their state after a sufficient number of years of residency or attendance before then to claim resident status for tuition purposes even if their parents move out of state, which would ordinarily lose resident status.
@labegg I have been following your postings since we both posted on similar schools. The obvious choice really seems to be Texas A&M. Highly ranked school and financially affordable. The reason the Florida schools have a high percentage of instate students is due to three reasons, affordability, Florida Pre Paid, and Bright Futures scholarship. I would not count in attaining residency in Florida.
Having said that, if your daughter is not have any desire to stay in Texas, then both Florida Schools would be very good options, assuming you have no issues with cost.Keep in mind that both Florida and Florida State are not necessarily cheap airports to fly into or easy to get into. Loyola and College of Charleston are great schools in very nice cities, but for sure not the large rah rah schools you are considering.
On a side note, the daughter of a good friend on mine graduated in forensics/psychology from the University of Kansas. She was just accepted to the University of Denver graduate forensics program. He is looking at a very large expense. Something to keep in mind as you look ahead into the future.
FSU offered in state tuition to my OOS student if we agree to study abroad for the first year, then the following three years would be given in state tuition rates. <<<<<<<<<<<
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What does that look like as a written offer, and study abroad on their terms costs what? How and where? How would study abroad be relevant for her major interest? What would she study abroad if it is a non english speaking school? This is such an odd concept to me, I can’t see what the angle is.
@Sybylla I think the angle is that it is a pressure relief valve for campus overcrowding of freshman…that spots open up after students drop out after freshman year. Some schools handle the influx of applications with study abroad (NYU for example) others with bridge or alternative admissions programs (Like UT CAPP, A&M Blinn, Clemson Bridge)
So you pay $40 000, complete 36 units for ONE year abroad to get instate for the other 3? And that caveat is MAY qualify, not will qualify, is that confirmed in your offer? 36 units must means there is fluff, right? Non core classes, so is 4 yrs even feasible? even with the summer semester?
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The rewards of being an FYA student continue upon return to the main campus. Upon completion of a minimum of 36 FSU credit hours at their European or Panama IP study center with an FSU GPA of 3.0 or better, FYA students who are in good judicial standing may qualify for out of state tuition waivers allowing students to pay in-state tuition rates for the remainder of their first undergraduate degree at Florida State in Tallahassee. <<
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Are you positive there is no bait and switch aspect here?
UF and FSU are the best schools on her list for her academic interests, and FSU would be the best deal out of these two. FSU abroad is a good deal for a full pay family, just add one year abroad costs + 3 years at the low instate Florida rates and your total is equivalent (or lower than TAMU) for a higher quality program. ($40,000+ $21,000 = $61,000 for 4 years ).
The caveat about having a 3.0 GPA and no judicial issues is because at all these locations alcohol is legal for 18 year olds and some students just took advantage and acted terrible.
Superficial, but FSU is in a nicer college town than TAMU and it sounds like she wants to stretch a little (I understand that basically she’d like to stay close to her boyfriend but not attend TAMU… so many choices have a downside).
So, basically, FSU is the best value on the list.
Look at biopsychology, cognitive science, chemistry, biostatistics minors at the different schools. Are any of these easy to combine with her major if choice at the schools still on her list?
If Texas A&M isn’t making anybody swoon, I suggest taking another look at U of Mississippi. It’s small for a state flagship, and has way more beauty, coziness & charm than A&M has.