<p>Even with a generous financial aid package, is out-of-state tuition ever cheaper than in-state tuition?</p>
<p>No. Can you imagine the uproar if a school charged more for students from the state which funded the college than OOS?</p>
<p>Erin’s Dad…</p>
<p>uhhh…that’s not true…state universities do sometimes charge in-state students more than it charges some OOS (when OOS student is given merit $$ for strong stats)</p>
<p>U Alabama, Miss St are two that come to mind…I think AZ, AzSt, UCF also do this. </p>
<p>For example…if you have an ACT 32 & GPA 3.5 & you’re OOS…then you pay NO TUITION at UA. </p>
<p>And, several state universities definitely do this for NMFs.</p>
<p>and…haven’t heard any uproars yet…</p>
<p>
Your question is vague. A stronger student from out-of-state can definitely earn merit aid that puts the price below standard IS tuition for more average applicants.</p>
<p>^^^
I don’t think the OP’s question is vague at all. He/she asked if it’s ever possible to receive a $$$ package as an OOS student that will bring the cost down below that of the “in-state” tuition rate. </p>
<p>The answer is yes, yes, yes. It is possible - OOS students with strong stats can sometimes get OOS merit awards that make the tuition lower than in-state (or even free).</p>
<p>People shouldn’t assume that just because their own state schools don’t/won’t do this, it doesn’t mean that other states also won’t do it.</p>
<p>Thanks for the speedy responses.</p>
<p>mom2collegekids: You answered my question exactly. Thank you! And I’m a male, by the way.</p>
<p>Glad you came back to your thread…I was afraid that the earlier negative and wrong answer would scare you off.</p>
<p>BTW…what are your stats? If you are looking to go OOS, but need some merit $$ to make it doable, I might be able to help you find a school.</p>
<p>I’m glad that you’re glad that I came back 
And I try not to let things scare me off… besides jumping spiders. I’m a guy that’s not afraid to admit that I HATE jumping/hopping insects.</p>
<p>I’m not happy w/ my SAT scores so I’m retaking it again in October. —I was sick the first time I took it :[ </p>
<p>Rank: 14/579
GPA: 4.49 on weighted scale
SAT: Reading - 640 Math - 510 (I don’t know what happened here) Writing - 600
URM: Afr. Amer. <— (I don’t know if this will make a difference.)</p>
<p>I can definitely bring each of these up at least 100 points.</p>
<p>Edit: Thanks for taking the time out to help me and answer my questions. I really appreciate it.</p>
<p>My hubby and I both hate spiders…our dogs love them…LOL</p>
<p>You have very good stats!</p>
<p>Can you also take the ACT in October? You might do better on that…some kids do better on the ACT.</p>
<p>Did you take the PSAT as a junior? Did you make Nat’l Achievement? With stats as good as yours, I thought you might. If so, there are colleges that will give you great scholarships!</p>
<p>But…even if you’re not Nat’l Achievement, there are other colleges that need URMs like you! There are some parents on this board that really know which are the best ones that give the most aid. </p>
<p>Post a thread in Parents Forum with a title like…“African American Male w/ good stats needs merit $$ at schools that want male URMs” …Believe me, there are some parents there that KNOW which colleges really want more male URMs, and they will post good ideas.</p>
<p>Is there a geographical area that you would want to go? Or, are you open to anywhere in the US? Big school or small? Do you like schools that have strong sports programs? Or, is that something that you don’t care about? What will you major in? </p>
<p>Tip for improving Math score…get a practice book that has a lot of tests in it…go thru the math sections just looking for questions that are “set up” in an unusual way for you. Do those problems. The more you do problems that are “different” than what you’re used to the better. That way, when you take an actual exam, you won’t have to waste time trying to figure out what the question is asking. :)</p>
<p>Best wishes for you. and, good luck on your SAT exam!! (and, stay well…drink your orange juice!!! )</p>
<p>
That would mean accepting that “in-state tuition” is a fixed amount regardless of aid, in which case I would logically assume that “out-of-state tuition” is also a fixed amount regardless of aid.</p>
<p>@OP: I’m sorry if my response appeared overly negative or critical. I just like to see things stated very clearly and precisely (gotta love those compulsive tendencies…). Your stats are quite good, provided that you can get the SATs up. Test scores can make a big difference when it comes to getting merit scholarships at OOS publics, so I recommend putting in some work.</p>
<p>mom: Wow, you’re very knowledgable. Thanks for advice. I’m going to post that thread tomorrow when I return home from school.</p>
<p>I didn’t make any Nat’l Achievement that I know of. Maybe I should ask around. I’m open to ANY location in the US, and I prefer a small to midsize college. By midsize, I mean up to 15K students. I’m 99.99% sure I’m going to major in Bio.</p>
<p>And I purchased the Official SAT Study Guide and I’ve been taking the tests in there. I’ve been timing myself too. My math has REALLY improved. It’s funny how you can be in Calculus and still do so poorly on the math secion. </p>
<p>Thanks for the luck, I need it! 
And I love my calcium-fortified oj!</p>
<p>noimagination: Thanks for your advice, also. And I didn’t take your response as negative or critical. I completely understand your compulsive tendencies. haha.</p>
<p>bigwill,</p>
<p>You may do better targeting private colleges that offer merit aid. They may have more of an impetus and more flexibility when considering the application of a urm. </p>
<p>The other question is whether you qualify for financial aid. Run a calculator-- you may be looking at a whole other set of schools. </p>
<p>By the way, are you seriously looking at UVA? You are instate with competitive stats (especially if you can get that math up a bit).</p>
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<p>My sons said something similar…they could never understand why they would miss Geometry questions when they both were in Calculus…weird!!!</p>
<p>And…don’t forget…SAT math tries to trick you…for the multiple choice questions, the choices will include “answers” that are “true” if you haven’t completely answered the question (am I making sense? LOL) So, make sure you are completely answering the posed question.</p>
<p>Sorry to not answer your initial question as you meant it. I focused on the question about “financial aid” which is need based aid since that was the original post. I should have caveatted that there are many schools which do offer merit aid. I also agree the OP should consider private schools as well. Go to the sticky at the top of this forum for good merit aid schools.</p>