Hi I am currently in my sophomore Year at Rhode Island College. I am under my parent’s E-2 visa until this August when I turn 21. So I applied for F-1 visa and it’s still in process. my question is that I been leaving in Rhode Island for 10 years and graduated my high school in this state and I am currently going to public state college. I also had in-state tuition for my freshman year but this semester they changed me to out-of-state tuiton Because I am changing my visa statue. However my parents hastill been paying taxes and I am still dependent on my parent. They will be still paying for my tuition and it just is impossible for my parents to pay my out-of-tuiton. What I don’t understand about is my brother who goes to different public state university is same situation as I am but his school let him keep as in-state tuition And I heard a lot of schools from another state also does the same thing too. I just want to know if I have a chance with my school to fix me back to in-state tuition.
Unfortunately I don’t see a way for you to appeal that decision. According to the residency policy set forth by the [Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education](http://www.ribghe.org/residency1for2012.pdf), F-1 students don’t qualify for in-state tuition in Rhoad Island. If you don’t like to read legalize, an easier-to-read summary is provided by Rhoad Island College: [Guidance for Students and Families](https://www.ric.edu/bursar/pdf/EligibilityforIn-StateTuitionandFees_11.pdf).
The exact wording is as follows:
This means that both you and your parent must have a visa status that allows you to establish a legal domicile in the US. Your parent’s E-2 visa qualifies, but not your F-1 visa.
Many states have an explicit policy that students who qualify for in-state status may retain their in-state status for as long as they stay continuously enrolled, regardless of changes in their legal, family or living situation. Unfortunately, the state of Rhoad Island does not seem to have such a written policy that you could appeal to.
One more thing: when you apply for an F-1 visa, you agree to maintain a residence in another country that you intend to return to upon the completion of your studies. Any hint of immigration intent invalidates your visa. This means you should be careful what say when you’re negotiating your tuition status with your university…