Hello everyone. I applied and have been accepted to my top choice school, Oregon State University. I have also been offered an $8,000 a year scholarship because I’m from California and I academically qualify. I really want to attend the school, but the thing is, it’s so expensive, even with the scholarship (still around $20k a year for tuition alone), and I cannot afford to take out so much in loans. I don’t believe I will receive much aid from FAFSA because my parents make too much to qualify for anything other than Stafford loans (I think that is what my sister gets, she’s attending a CSU).
I lived in Oregon for 7 years growing up. I dreamt of one day attending OSU while I lived there. I have since moved to California and been here for 5 years. Since moving here, all I’ve wanted is to go back. Is it possible that I can write a letter to the school and appeal to them for in-state tuition? I would love to return to Oregon and stay there even after graduation. I have heard of someone else in the past doing this. Is there some format I should adhere to? I will also be applying for other scholarships too. Any advice is appreciated. Thank you
You and your parents are not residents of Oregon anymore, so why should you get in-state tuition?
Same as OOS students coming to California and expecting in-state tuition.
But here is an overview of Oregon State University In-State Requirements:
Oregon State University is one of those colleges in the country that does not allow full-time enrollment at the school during the one-year domicile period. Simply put, full-time attendance at the university leads to the assumption you are in the state primarily for school, and that is a disqualifying factor. Additionally, in-state employment is required, but the required amount of hours worked per week is variable depending on if you are attending school part-time or not at all during the domicile period. If going to school part-time, then you have to overcome the presumption of being in Oregon just for school by working near full-time; if not attending school during your domicile period then you can get away with less hours per week.
Also know that on-campus residence is not allowed. If you want to attend school full-time and not work at all during the one-year domicile period, then residency / in-state tuition is a no-go for you here at this school. Financials are of concern as well, because you must have the capability of supporting yourself and at least one have of your expensesf. For many, taking a Gap-Year from school over the domicile period is a wise consideration and the best way to showcase to the university you are in the state for more than just college.
In general, a good candidate for in-state tuition here is a person who:
-can sever all ties to other states and establish in Oregon
-is able to stay in Oregon during the domicile period with limited absences
-does not live on-campus
-is able and willing to attend school half-time maximum, or not at all, during the domicile period
-can be gainfully employed and meet the amount of weekly hours required
-can financially support self and pay at least half of all expenses
You can ask all you want… but the fact is…your family is no longer a resident of Oregon. You are not entitled to instate tuition status…at all…unless your whole family relocates to Oregon. Oh…and this needed to happen twelve months before you start college.
You can call and ask. However, you are also going to need to look at in-state alternatives. It doesn’t make any sense to take on debt to go to U.of Oregon if you can attend one of the very good alternatives in California without debt.