<p>Can an OOS student at Texas qualify for in state residency?</p>
<p>maybe if you live for 12 months in texas? just a thought…</p>
<p>I did, and I graduated from a mississippi high school. My dad is in the military, and he proved to UT that his “state of residence” is Texas. We used to live here (and he owns houses here), he pays taxes here, and his drivers license is from here. I’m not sure what else, but on the application you have to write an explanation of why you should be considered a texas resident. Plus, you can also call them after submitting your application if you want to explain further.</p>
<p>Do a search - this was discussed a few months ago. You have to live in Texas for an entire year (can’t go home long during the summer), register to vote, get a driver’s license, and buy property. It would be better to buy a residence, but a woman definitely told me even a lot would work, anywhere in Texas (there’s some cheap land in west Texas!). We’re definitely going to try for it.</p>
<p>Also, if you get an academic scholarship worth at least $1,000, you should get a waiver and pay in-state tutition. That does NOT apply to athletic scholarships, because the waiver would count against the team’s allowed scholarship limit (we heard that from the Texas track coach and other officials).</p>
<p>Maine Longhorn summed it up perfectly. My daughter is starting as a frosh next month. I did extensive research and it is possible to become a resident after one year. I bought a small house in San Antonio in my daughters name. She got her texas license, has a summer job in San Antonio this summer, will move to a dorm next month, and will apply to be instate tuition next june after she has lived there for a year. Since she has demonstrated that Texas is her permanent home, she is paying real estate taxes, and will file tax returns with her texas residence. She should qualify. I can not deduct her on my tax return. I have confirmed all this with the UT office of residency, and am told it is all proper. You must build a case that you intend to stay in texas, and you are not just going to school there.</p>
<p>That sounds reasonable!</p>
<p>Not bad. Don’t colleges look down on things like this?</p>
<p>coolege, I am not sure I understand do colleges look down on things like this.</p>
<p>I am sure they would prefer to get OOS tuition if they had a choice. It yields the University more money. If you follow the rules and restrictions to becoming a state resident, they have a hard time stopping you. It helps a lot if you are a tax payer to the state. That makes it more difficult for them to deny you instate tuition. you are a tax payer. If you do establish permanent residency, they have no recourse. They can not deny you courses because you switched residency. Not sure if that helps. But I tried.</p>
<p>Well, I thought that some schools have a policy of once you are an OOS student, you are an OOS student for the next 4 years, even if you live, vote, etc… in that state. </p>
<p>But if UT doesn’t, it may be worth shelling out the 40k the first year…</p>
<p>We are in the middle of doing it. I was referred by local realtors to other parents who have successfully done it. I have had multiple conversations with the people at UT who work in the office of residency. From what little I know, Texas appears to be one of the less restrictive states to establish. Google search UT residency requirements. Read all the various things. Remember, they are written to dissuade people from doing it. you must read between the lines, and look for the loopholes. It can be done with some effort. It requires some planning, sacrifice, and fudgeing. It is worth a small investment of time, energy, and investment, to save a lot of money and make a great school affordable.</p>
<p>Good Luck</p>
<p>Just curious, what are you going to do with the San Antonio house during the school year? Lease it out? Too bad you couldn’t find a house in Austin!!</p>
<p>AG54,
Yes, I am going to lease it out. I have a couple who want to move in next month. I will “keep a room” for my daughter. She will continue to pay one utility bill throughout the year. This way we can demonstrate that she intends to return to the house next summer. The tenants will reimburse us for the utility. She will be eligible to apply for in state 11 months after moving to Texas. So next may she can apply. This will allow her cheap tuition if she wants summer school next year. In eany event, she will qualify for fall term 2010.
To answer your question about an Austin purchase, I did a lot of research about buying in Austin. I thought about buying a condo that she could eventually live in on West Campus. Something that I would be comfortable having her live in, that needed no upgrades, would have cost around 200k. I was able to buy in San Antonio for 95K. I wanted to manage my downside. If by some chance(i think remote) Texas real estate takes a comparable hit to other parts of the country(as much as 20% downtick) I wanted to protect myself. A 18K hit in San Antonio is one years tuition savings. A 40K hit in Austin wipes out two years of savings. Since the investment yields me a three year 60k savings, I wanted to protect my downside, and was less concerned about maximizing my upside. The 60k was my upside. Also, the downpayment on a 95K house is much less than 200k condo. Lastly, it is difficult to come out cash flow positive on a west campus condo, after mortgage, insurance, taxes, and homeowners Asscoc. fees. With a San Antonio home, I am cash flow positive by 120 a month.<br>
Hope this long winded explanation is of help to you as you access what you do. Good Luck to your child in getting accepted. If you have any additional questions, feel free.</p>
<p>AG54,
I think I made a mistake. I realize You have a child in school already, not applying. You probably didn’t need my long winded explanation.</p>
<p>Enjoy your weekend.</p>
<p>No, thanks for the explanation, I was curious. All the information you provided is great and will be helpful for someone else in your boat (OOS kid).</p>
<p>You enjoy your weekend too!</p>
<p>socaldad, thanks for sharing your experience. It’s exciting to think this might work for us. My folks want my son to attend UT so badly that they’re willing to help us out the first year with the higher tutition cost!</p>
<p>Maine,
Good luck. I hope your son gets in. I met a couple this past weekend, who successfully, and easily did it. Their son is goning to be a junior and enjoyed lower tuition last year.
BTW, I am on my way to maine this morning. Flying to boston, and driving to Portland for the weekend. What part of maine do oyu live in?</p>
<p>Cool! I live about 15 minutes north of Portland, in North Yarmouth. We love it here. I hope the weather cooperates for you! Are you coming up for work or pleasure?</p>
<p>DS has an SAT score of 1470/2220, and a GPA of 3.81 (top 10%, which is as detailed as his school gets), plus he’s an Eagle Scout. He just got a 5 on AP Biology, too, so I hope he gets in!!</p>
<p>Me. Longhorn,</p>
<p>I am here on commercial street in Old Portland. Great city, Great Food. We are here for camp visiting weekend for our two youngest. This is my ninth summer here. Me. is God’s country. (in the summer). I do not like tomorrow’s forecast, though.</p>
<p>Sounds like you have a an accomplished child. Should get in. Good Luck, and have him get his application in as early as possible. I would also suggest having him email ande connect with the New England region admission’s person. Any connection can only help. Let them know how committed you are to going to their school. Also, send in housing application really early. </p>
<p>All the best,</p>