<p>So the only reason I will go out of state is if I can get tuition near in-state value. I had a couple of questions on this topic. If I have relatives in a different state, where I want to attend, is there any way to claim residency with them and receive in-state for the following four years? Also, can in-state tuition be claimed if I attend the college my first year for OOS value and then buy an apartment and live there for a year, while schooling? If anyone else knows any tricks or can help please comment!</p>
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<p>Probably not, unless you actually go and live with them your last year of HS, and possible not even then.</p>
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<p>Depends on the state. Probably not for most states.</p>
<p>Nope. If it were that easy, there would no OOS kids at state colleges. The usual thing that is needed to get in state residency is for your parents to have their primary residence in state and file/pay state income taxes. Until you are age 24 or have a dependent or be a veteran, be married, you are not independent in the college world’s eyes. Each college has its rules for determining state residency, so make sure you read their laws not the one for the state itself or for another college in the state.</p>
<p>The only tricks that may exist are that some colleges do not enforce state residency rules as strictly as others, and as they have them on their books. That is not the case for the flagships and major universities who are very savvy about collecting that OOS premium. But some smaller schools that do not tend to have a lot of OOS kids and whose students are primarily commuters may not care if a student is not strictly in state. If you live in the state, county, you are charged accordingly, and so the Bursar’s office is set up. I would not lie on any form to get the residency, but in such situations it may be possible to get state prices legitimately. When you get to the school, you can find out the various rules as they are enforced.</p>
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<p>NO TRICKS are available. For undergrads, your state of residency is where your PARENTS reside. I think you know that and are looking for a loophole. There isn’t one.</p>
<p>Buy an apartment? In YOUR own name? The college would certainly expect YOU (the student) to provide the financial information that supports YOUR income and ability to make this purchase. Otherwise it would be very clear that someone else was supporting your efforts to do so.</p>
<p>Almost EVERY school does NOT allow you to establish residency IN their state WHILE you are a student. Think of it…if it were that easy, there would be no students paying OOS tuition after freshman year.</p>
<p>In Illinois, the only way to legally game the system is to get married to someone who meets the residency requirements.</p>
<p>“A nonresident shall be classified as a resident if his/her spouse is a resident of Illinois and meets the applicable requirements of these regulations.”</p>
<p>Seems a bit extreme to me, but if you’re desperate (and desirable) …</p>
<p>Haha alright thanks for your comments</p>
<p>Some schools allow certain applicants (those with high GPAs or certain majors) to pay just in-state tuition.</p>
<p>The only trick would be to move to the state, get a job, live on your own, support yourself until you qualify under that state’s residency rules ( a school by school thing in some states)</p>
<p>Article about the relative residency idea
[California</a> In-State Tuition Using Grandparents’ Address? - Ask The Dean](<a href=“http://www.collegeconfidential.com/dean/archives/california-in-state-tuition-using-grandparents-address.htm]California”>http://www.collegeconfidential.com/dean/archives/california-in-state-tuition-using-grandparents-address.htm)</p>
<p>TrustyRusty
Michigan…not U of Michigan or Michigan State, but Northern Michigan, Central Michigan and the other directional state schools do allow you to establish residency your soph year if you live on campus your freshman year and then work in Michigan and stay in state over the summer. Then your soph year you would be eligible for in state tuition. That was one of the attractive things that we looked at these schools 2 years ago for my oldest child. We had long discussion w/ representative from Central Michigan Good school, nice area.</p>
<p>What are your stats? There are some great schools out there that will give high achieving OOS students in state tuition.</p>
<p>Augh. “Trusty” is asking about “tricks” to game the system? That bothers me. </p>
<p>Here’s the scoop: every state has game wardens who check licenses. They will “bust” the guy who tries to save $10 by buying a resident fishing license when he really is from out of state. If the state thinks it is worthwhile to go after $10 thieves, don’t you THINK the state will have some checkers for the THOUSANDS of dollars at stake at state universities?</p>
<p>I worked as a game warden and I won’t take the time to write out all the many, many ways that I could “bust” a residency violator. It is very easy (and that was 25 years ago). It’s a whole lot easier today, especially with the internet. </p>
<p>If I were an Financial Dean at a State College, the first line of defense would be the Admissions department, who would put a flag on every high school transcript that arrive with an out of state zip code. So, there you are, Rusty Teen, applying from Whoville High and submitting a transcript that shows the Whoville High zip code. And, guess what? Your extra curriculars say you were on the State team in Badminton or that the Whoville Veterans gave you $500 for college ---- you begin to see where it doesn’t matter who your grandparents are or where you rented your apartment. </p>
<p>Basically, claiming resident tuition when you are not a resident is a violation of the law. Given that thousands of dollars are at stake, you might be prosecuted for a felony. Most likely, you would be booted from the college on an honor violation. </p>
<p>Far, far better is to select the college you like, be honest about your residency and then be such an outstanding candidate (like a National Merit Finalist, say) that the state college “waives” out of state tuition fees. Then all is legal and you are there for a reasonable cost. </p>
<p>Another choice is to go where you are a resident. Please don’t be stupid about how easy it is to catch the violators. Easy peesy and it will haunt you the rest of your life.</p>
<p>It’s not the state that determines the residency of the student for state tuition purposes at a state school. It is the school itself. You are not gaming the system looking for schools that have policies that can let you have state residency as an undergrad. I don’t see any problems with gaming a system, even, come to think of it. As long as you are not being dishonest and lying on the application, you are fine, finding rules that fit your situation or that you can adapt your situation to fit.</p>
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<p>The legit way to do this is through scholarships.</p>
<p>I respectfully disagree with cptothehouse, who wrote that it can be ok for “finding rules that fit your situation” – the problem with that approach is that the student may read the rule book one way and the administration may read it another. </p>
<p>It is far, far better to be open and above board and communicate that “Happy State is my number one college choice and I can bring so much to the campus” (Athletic prowess, stellar academics and so forth). College do, indeed, make waivers for students that they desire to have. That way one is never worried about being “caught” and one can proudly wear a T shirt from home and delight in bringing diversity to the campus. </p>
<p>“Oh what tangled webs we weave when first we practice to deceive” is hugely the truth here. It is hard to keep story lines straight with roommates, professors, the lunch cashier and everyone else that one meets over four years of college living – and, I guarantee, there will be one watchful student somewhere who thinks it is grossly unfair that Rusty from out of state is paying in state tuition when a dear friend, cousin or sweetheart didn’t get the same deal and is holding down four jobs plus taking loans to cope. Ya think the “corner cutter” is going to escape comment/a dime dropped then? I don’t!</p>
<p>Please, be up front about who you are and where you are from. It may be that the OOS doesn’t pan out – but if it does, you can go with your head held high, and that is worth the effort.</p>
<p>I certainly do not recommend anyone to lie him/herself into an instate tuition or anything. Look at the websites of colleges and see if the definition allows you to be considered in state. If so, that is a possibility of such a school. It is the school, not the state that sets those definitions for what constitutes in state for tuition purposes for a given school. Buzmom3 has given some such examples of such school in Michigan where a student can get in state tuition. </p>
<p>Schools that attract a sizable number of OOSers tend to have more stringent rules and enforce them vigorously and rigorously. But a lot of the schools that do not tend to get many OOS kids are far more lenient. But do go by the rules set by the schools and check them out. That a school is not enforcing OOS premiums, though they are written into their fee schedules, is not something I recommend anyone to try to take advantage because that is outright deception. Not only is there a chance of getting caught, but you can truly lose your reputation which may be something that becomes important and valuable to you. It is the wrong thing to do. But nothing in the world wrong with seeking OOS schools with generous residency requirements for instate tuition. The only caveat I have about that is to warn that these things can change very quickly. Cash strapped schools have looked for ways to get more money, and this is a loophole they can very easily close, and if you have counted on this for several years, it can be a problem for you.</p>
<p>Thank you for the clarification. I think it is a good one. It is true that the guidelines for one’s freshman year can be seriously mauled by state legislators or university trustees by the next school year. </p>
<p>I know the U of Washington is actually planning to increase its number of OOS students – at full pay – to help balance the books. It is a challenging time to be hunting for financial aid.</p>
<p>The University of Texas on its website actually advises OOS students that it is possible for them to get in-state residency (starting their sophomore year) and provides a link to the requirements.</p>
<p>One of my closest friends had a daughter go to the College of Charleston even though they were OOS. Though they clearly understood they were going to pay the OOS premium, they did not take into account how drastically things could change. At the time their daughter accepted admissions, the OOS premium was so reasonable that it didn’t come to much more for her to go there than to one of their in state school. The next year Cof C really ratcheted up that premium. Not quite the same situation, but it show you how these things can change from year to year. </p>
<p>We are in the same sort of situation now as my rising college son is going to a OOS school that has yet to announce its 2011-12 costs and is in a state where the education budget was reamed. We are waiting in hope that the zing won’t be too bad, but understanding it can be an issue.</p>
<p>Not to say that in staters are not also subject to drastic increases. I am stunned at what UofIL at U/C is now charging. It was such a good deal 12 years ago, among other state flagships. Now the cost is prohibitive to many. When and how that happened, I don’t know.</p>
<p>All the Illinois state schools have a tuition guarantee: What you pay your first semester will not increase, provided that you graduate in 9 semesters or less.</p>
<p>NIce, but you gotta watch that first step, there. Pretty steep in my opinion.</p>