<p>I've heard it's possible to apply to the INS for "undocumented" status, and therefore get instate tuition for your child if she wants to attend a public university in another state. Maybe get free health care as well? Does anyone know if this is a joke or something - sounds like it? Suddently, we're pretty desperate here given the economy - willing to try anything that works.</p>
<p>This would be someone’s idea of a joke.</p>
<p>There are very few public community colleges, colleges, and universities that give in-state status for tuition purposes to all residents of those states regardless of immigration status. Those that do, require a minimum number of years of residence in that state, and graduation from HS in that state. </p>
<p>There are some public community colleges, colleges and universities that do not charge anyone out-of-state tuition. Two that I know of are: [University</a> of Minnesota Morris | About Morris](<a href=“http://www.morris.umn.edu/about/]University”>About UMN Morris | University of Minnesota Morris) and [Bemidji</a> State University](<a href=“http://www.bemidjistate.edu/]Bemidji”>http://www.bemidjistate.edu/)</p>
<p>If your child is a U.S. citizen, he or she by definition is documented. The only way for a citizen to become “undocumented” would be for him/her to formally renounce his/her U.S. citizenship before a U.S. consul in a foreign country. Then that person would have to deliberately re-enter the U.S. without applying for a visa. Or, that person would have to enter the U.S. on a visa and then let that visa expire. A minor cannot renounce his or her citizenship. It is very rare for adults to do so. It is not a trivial act.</p>
<p>Every single citizen, and every single documented international individual resident in the US, can indeed find a community college, college, or university that they can pay for in the US. That the institution a student or his/her family can afford is not his/her first choice is immaterial. There are places that this person can afford to study at, and there are ways to pay for an education.</p>
<p>It is not as simple as having undocumented status in order to get state tuition rates. Here in NY, if you are an undocumented student (illegal) or documented, for that matter and don’t have your documents that prove you are legal, you can get in state rates for tuition if you can prove that you have been in the state for THREE years as opposed to the ONE year of someone who is properly documented. For most illegal alien students, the high school transcript is enough documentation to prove that.</p>
<p>Although other states may have different rules, the ones I have seen still have a stiffer requirement to get the state rates through that route than traditional ones. For most states, having a parent who has been a resident for a year in the state is sufficient for residency requirements.</p>