Hi,
I moved to the U.S in April. I’m a permanent resident. I’ve finished high school in my home country (Sri-lanka). I’m going to be applying to uni this year and wondering what category I apply under- international student or domestic? Please help!
US permanent resident would be a domestic student at US universities, although you may need to ask them how they handle non US high school records, courses, and grades.
You have a green card? You live with your parents? Have they lived in state with their green cards long enough to be considered in state for tuition $?
How can you be a permanent resident and finish high school abroad? Green card holders are required to live in the USA an cannot spend extended periods of time in their home country.
@gearstudio - You are confused about how much time a person with legal permanent resident status can be outside the US without losing that status. A person in that status should apply for a re-entry permit if they intend to be outside the US for a full year or more. However, they can travel in and out of the country as much as they want to without a re-entry permit. Many immigration experts recommend that the person travel back to the US at least every six months. This means that it wouldn’t be particularly difficult for a student to finish high school outside the country while maintaining permanent residency in the US.
@fazfar - You are a domestic applicant who has been educated abroad. There are lots of students like you. You have to contact each place that you are interested in applying to, let them know your situation, and ask what you need to do. Do not be surprised if each place has slightly different requirements. Just do whatever A asks for A, and whatever B asks for B. If you are applying to public colleges and universities in the state where you are living, find out the details of their requirements for in-state status. Each state has its own rules about this, and often each public college and university within a state has its own policy. For example, if you are still young enough to be a dependent for financial aid purposes (under 24, not married, not a military veteran, etc.) but your parents live outside the US, it may be impossible for you to qualify as an in-state resident.
OP said clearly he/she is a new immigrant this year after finishing high school in Srilanka. I see no point for the discussion in #3 and #4. The question is whether his/her parents have established residency in certain state that makes him/her in state for certain schools or not. He/she is likely a domestic but OOS student for college admission.
@happymomof1 That heped me a lot! Thanks. I’ll try contacting the unis for how I’d get about doing this.