In-state vs. Out of state

Paying for College
1

<p>Here's my situation: I lived in NC from age 2 to 16, attended almost ALL of my public school years there, including 2 years of high school. I moved to VA one year ago, and as of right now I have only attended school here for one year (will be two by the time I graduate). Almost all of my extended family lives in NC and I have spent almost all my life there. I have an NC driver's license (I got a new one a few months ago - my permanent license - but when I went to the VA DMV they said they couldn't transfer my driver's license from NC and actually advised me to go back to NC and get it... which may be technically illegal but I did it!)</p>

<p>Now, before anyone says anything, I don't expect any college to give me in-state tuition just because I have relatives and an in-state driver's license. I know what the rule is, that you have to live in state for one year prior to enrollment. But the whole point of in-state tuition is to reward people who paid taxes to fund the state's public universities. Before last year, my mom had lived in NC for her entire life, and my dad for almost his entire adult life. So they paid just a few taxes there over the years.... My situation in Virginia is very temporary. My parents are just renting a house in VA, although they own three houses in NC and still pay property taxes on them. My dad's job will likely move him again in the near future; I'd say there are no better than 50-50 odds that my parents still live in Virginia four years from now.</p>

<p>So the way I understand it, I am a resident of whatever state my parents live in, since I am dependent on them. So if they have to move to Ohio in two years (hypothetical) I will become a legal resident of Ohio even though I will not be going to college there and I've never even been to Ohio?? Ugh. I know it's just the way the system works but it's not fair.</p>

<p>This may sound like whining but it is a serious issue and a serious thing to consider before I decide what college I want to attend. North Carolina in-state tuition is some of the best in the nation, half of what it is at many Virginia schools. And if I were to attend a North Carolina school as an OOS, it would be three times the in-state tuition.</p>

<p>Don't worry, I'm not going to lie or "game the system" or do anything illegal to try to get IS tuition. But if anyone knows of something I could do, or has any advice, that would be greatly appreciated.</p>

2

<p>Each of the NC universities has its own specific residency policies right on its website. Use the search function to find it. Print the policies out and read through them carefully. You may be eligible. Check the policies for the community colleges that would work for you too. Sometimes they are more flexible, and sometimes a residency ruling by a CC will follow a student to the state U.</p>

<p>But before you get too freaked out about all of this, ask your parents how they plan for you to pay for your education. You may find that they are ready, willing, and able to shoulder the full cost of the VA state Us.</p>

3

<p>It doesn’t matter that your mom paid taxes for many years to NC. What matters is where she pays them NOW. Many folks rent apartments or houses when they relocate for job purposes…especially in this real estate climate where selling can be iffy. Your situation in that regard is NOT unique. The reality is that right now, your family has residency in Virginia. That is where they live, work, pay taxes…and where you attend and will graduate from high school. VA is your family’s permanent residence right now. </p>

<p>Right now, you are an instate resident of Virginia. If you want instate residency for NC…your FAMILY needs to relocate there at least 12 months prior to your college enrollment. </p>

<p>You are so fortunate to be in Virginia where there are numerous excellent options for instate public universities.</p>

<p>What YOU need to check is the policies of those VA schools. At some universities, students who enroll as instate students maintain that status until they graduate as long as they attend without interruption…even IF their parents move to another state. This is not true everywhere so you need to check each college website.</p>