<p>Hi everyone,
So, I live with my mom in one state the majority of the year (divorced family), and live with my dad in another state on every other weekend, holidays, and half of summer. So my question is, do I qualify for 'in-state' in both states? For those wondering, my dad is in VA, and I was wondering if it counts towards UVA, and I live in NC with my mom. </p>
<p>Every college has its own rules – even two colleges within the same state may have different rules for what qualifies for in-state tuition. You need to go their websites or call their Bursar’s offices. It’s confusing, frustrating – but it’s essential information for you and your parents. </p>
<p>Only public universities have in-state tuition discounts. Nearby state schools across state lines may have reciprocal agreements that may carry over to you. For instance, I live in MI. Across the Ohio border is the University of Toledo. They offer instate tuition rates to Michigan residents.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>UVA (<a href=“http://www.virginia.edu/provost/vastatus/faq.html):”>http://www.virginia.edu/provost/vastatus/faq.html):</a>
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<p>Wow, I feel incredibly stupid right now XD. Anyways, thanks for the help!</p>
<p>Depending on their individual rules, this means you could qualify for in-state at UVa, William & Mary, Virginia Tech, UNC-Chapel Hill, NC State-Raleigh, and UNC-Asheville. I think outside of California, you win the bang for the buck lottery.</p>
<p>@MrMom62 The Va. schools don’t get to set their own rules; state law determines who can claim Virginia residency status. If he qualifies, it works for all of them.</p>
<p>@FCCDAD even though the rules are set by state legislature some schools interpret them differently (because they’re always written so clearly 8-| ). That’s why you have to check with each school individually. </p>
<p>Search “uva admission by residency” to see how much of an advantage applying in-state provides. Last year I believe 42.2% of Va resident applicants were offered admission, compared to 24.6% of OOS applicants. They segregate the applications by residency before evaluating them, because state law requires 2/3 Va residents.</p>
<p>State law also defines “substantial financial support” as > 50%. So, of the OP’s father has higher income than his mother and pays Child Support according to their respective incomes, it is trivial to show he qualifies to apply as in-state. (The law also defines “domiciled in Virginia”, but that does not appear to be in question here.)</p>
<p>This means the OP could have in state status to apply to two of the best public schools in the nation, UVa and UNC. (and the other public schools in both states, of course, including W&M, VT, etc.).</p>
<p>@Erin’s Dad: what schools apply the rules differently, and how? I’ve looked them up - they are the same for (at least) UVa, VT, W&M.</p>
<p>@FCCDAD since I can apply as in state for two states, how do I specify that in the common app? It only allows me to put one address on there. And yes, my father would qualify as paying ‘substantial financial support’. thanks again for the help everyone!</p>
<p>@FCCDAD here is the residency info from GMU. <a href=“Domicile | Office of the University Registrar | George Mason University”>http://registrar.gmu.edu/students/domicile/</a> It’s different from what I remember UVA’s stating. I know I have seen differences in requirements for OH schools.</p>
<p>@GabrielB, like here? <a href=“http://www.virginia.edu/provost/vastatus/docs/Application_In_State_Privileges_2012_13.pdf”>http://www.virginia.edu/provost/vastatus/docs/Application_In_State_Privileges_2012_13.pdf</a></p>
<p>Yeah, I found that right after submitting my comment, but wasn’t sure if that’s all I had to fill out. But thanks for the information, it seems like I can never find the stuff right in front of me haha. </p>
<p>UVa is a Common App school and has a supplement in the CA to claim in state benefits, both admission and tuition. Basically, you say you get the benefit because your father supports you and is a VA. resident, and your father will need to sign and submit the supporting paperwork. The admission office will evaluate your application after a different office confirms that you have the right to claim Va residence status.</p>
<p>I don’t know if every CA school has a CA supplement like that. I do know all the Va schools will ask for the same info about your father’s support and his (not your) domicile.</p>
<p>You are in-state in Virginia if (among other possible qualifiers) your father provides you “significant financial support.” They specifically define that as >50% of your total support. This would NOT negate your residency status in NC; you would be able to apply in-state to both UNC and UVa. (Nice!)</p>
<p>If your father pays Child Support, the courts will have calculated out your “total support” and apportioned that between your parents; your custodial parent (mother, in your case) supports you “in kind”, which means she pays for your housing, clothing, food, etc. Your father’s support is paid to your mother for her to use on your behalf. Either/both parents can quickly confirm whether he pays >50% without revealing how much he pays or what their incomes are; support should be divided proportionally to their respective incomes, so if he makes more money than she does, then you should qualify.</p>
<p>This is very important not just for the tuition benefit ($28k difference at UVa!), but also for admission - because Va. state law requires the public universities to be 2/3 Virginia residents, in-state applications are MUCH likelier to get admission offers (i.e., much less competitive) than OOS applications, which are evaluated separately. For example, last year 42.2% of Va. applicants were offered admission to UVa, but only 24.6% of OOS applicants.
<a href=“http://avillage.web.virginia.edu/iaas/instreports/studat/hist/admission/first_by_residency.htm”>http://avillage.web.virginia.edu/iaas/instreports/studat/hist/admission/first_by_residency.htm</a></p>