How Long Do You Have to Live in a State to Get In-State Tuition?
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Being a state resident can be quite beneficial at state colleges who often charge in-state students less compared to private colleges who may charge every student the same tuition. Many state colleges are authorized by their state legislature to offer discounted in-state tuition in order to retain in-state students. As an outsider who wants this perk, you must understand how long you have to live in a state to get in-state tuition.
How to Qualify for In-State Tuition
The qualification for in-state tuition, set by the school, is usually based upon how long you’ve had that status as a legal resident. The purpose of the residency requirement is to keep most in-state tuition offers limited to either people who have grown up within the state or people who have clearly evidenced their intent to stay in the state permanently after college.
Even if you did not grow up in a certain state or lived there for very long, you still have the chance to fulfill state residency requirements before starting college. In order to do this however, you may want to start thinking ahead six to twenty-four months before starting school. The final decision on whether someone qualifies for in-state tuition is up to the school itself, so the more evidence you have available to show your commitment to the state, the better your chances will be of qualifying for in-state tuition.
Typical State Residency Requirements
State statutes, passed by the local state government, define the residency requirements of any given state. In most states, but not all, you expressly cannot fulfill the residency requirements if you moved to the state and started school there right away. Instead, you must be a non-student resident living in the state for a designated period of time prior to starting college.
Dependent students often have a harder time qualifying for in-state tuition because some states require that they have at least one parent or guardian living in the state prior to moving. Independent students are able to fulfill most requirements simply by living and working within the state themselves or by having a spouse who lives or works there.
By requiring that someone be a legal resident of the state for a significant period of time prior to qualifying, the states hope to weed out students who do not have any intention of staying in the state after graduation.
When Do You Become a Legal Resident?
Most states require that someone live as a resident for a full year prior to the start of school in order to qualify for in-state tuition. However, this time period can vary widely among the different states. For instance, just six months is required in Arkansas while the requirement is a full two years in Alaska. A few states don’t have any time requirement at all. Those states typically require proof that you are living in the state such as providing a lease or purchasing a home. These states simply need you to show your intent to stay which could be as simple as getting a state driver’s license.
I’m from Germany and I was an exchange student two years ago and attended High School for a year in Ohio. Now I would like to go to college in Ohio. Could I get instate tuition if I put down my host families address? I have lived with them for a year already but then had to go back to Germany to finish High School.
Hey Ana,
Great question! Below is a blog post that help explains the process and some loan options for student loans for international students:
https://lendedu.com/blog/student-loans-for-international-students
I’m wishing to move to Colorado for personal reasons, and was curious on the requirements to qualify for instate tuition! Thanks.
Hey Logan,
Great question. In order to qualify for in-state tuition, one must have been domeciled in the state of Colorado for at least 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the beginning of the semester.
Hi. We live in Texas but my son is thinking of moving to his dad’s in Arkansas and going to school. Will he be considered out of state? His dad has lived there for 2 years.
Hey Kim,
A good candidate for in-state tuition includes:
– Firmly wants to be and remain in Arkansas
– Able to work in Arkansas
– Able to get student loans as needed
– An adult who is significantly but not necessarily fully self-reliant
– Can sever all ties to other states
– Remain in Arkansas throughout the domicile period with limited absences
My daughter will be attending LSU and plans on staying in Louisiana to take care of her grandparents while attending college. She wants to start the process of becoming a resident in Louisiana. What does she need to do?
Hey Allison,
There are a few residency requirements:
– Has abandoned all prior domeciles
– Has been domeciled in Louisiana for at least one full year before the first day of class
– Has not been enrolled in a Louisiana institution of higher learning
My daughter is interested in College of Charleston. She is considering a gap year with Americorps and wondering if she stations in South Carolina if that would satisfy her residency? The program is 10 mos but she could reside there prior and afterwards to make up the other 2 months. Would it be considered residency? Thank you!
Hey Rene,
Below are the South Carolina residency requirements:
– Possession of valid SC driver’s license
– Valid SC vehicle registration
– Maintenance of domecile in SC
– Filing of SC income taxes as a resident during the past tax year
– Ownership of principal residence in SC
I am divorced and moved to Florida in June 2019 with my 17 year old son. He got a license and we declared residency here. Then in August he decided that he did not like the HS he was enrolled in here in Fl so he went back to NJ to finish HS there but is looking to apply to Fl. Colleges. Will he still be eligible for in state tuition as I’m his main parent?
Hey Aileen,
You must be able to prove that you or the claimant have established bona fide domicile in the state of Florida for at least 12 months preceding the first day of classes.
Good luck!
Do you know how long it takes to obtain in state tuition for Oregon? Thanks!
Hey Emma,
There are a few considerations for in-state tuition in Oregon:
1. Establishment of a domecile and physical presence in Oregon of at least 12 months prior to the beginning of the term.
2. Financial dependence on an Oregon resident.
3. Primary purpose for being in Oregon other than obtaining an education.
4. Nature and source of financial resources
5. Various other indicia of residency
Hey Tom,
I’m a first-year out-of-state student who’s dorming in University of Maryland, College Park. Would I qualify for in-state tuition for sophomore year? If not, I’m going to most likely be renting an apartment just off campus for sophomore year, so would that qualify me? Would love to get as many details as possible as to what I could do to qualify for in-state tuition as soon as possible.
Thanks
Hey Benjy,
Maryland states that a good candidate includes:
– Ability to sever ties to all other states
– Can remain in Maryland throughout the one year domecile period with limited absences
– Is willing and able to live off-campus
– Can work in Maryland and dominantly self sufficient
– Ability to get student loans as needed
Good luck!
I plan on going to Michigan state. How long do I need to live there to get in state tuition?
Hey Sadie,
Thanks for reading!
– You attended an accredited Michigan high school for at least three years and thereafter (a) graduated from a Michigan high school (b) received a Michigan Educational Development High School Equivalency Certificate
– Attended an accredited Michigan middle or junior high school for the two years preceding high school
– You are commencing your education at the University within forty months of graduating from the Michigan high school or receiving your GED.
Good luck in school!
Tom,
I moved from KY down to Tenn about 6 yrs ago. I would like to move back to Bowling Green, KY to finish my last three years. What are the requirements to qualify for in state? Thanks
Brett
Hey Brett,
Nn order to continue to qualify for in-state tuition the student needs to remain continuously enrolled at the University and within 1 year of enrollment must register to vote and provide at least two (2) of the following: Tennessee driver’s license, Tennessee motor vehicle registration, Proof of Tennessee Employment.
Hello, I am living in Washington and thinking about finishing last two years of my college credits at an out of state college in California after finishing community college here in Washington. I have relatives there to stay if I want to attend college there. What are requirements to establish residency in California?
Hey Daniel,
The in-state tuition requirements are:
1. Physical presence- You or a parent must be physically present in California on a continuous basis for at least 366 days prior to the residence determination date and this must be proven via documentation.
2. Intent to remain in California- You or a parent must relinquish ties to previous residence via California Driver’s License, registering a vehicle, register to vote, or file out-of-state income tax return as a nonresident or part-year resident on income earned prior to arriving to California.
3. Financial Independence (Undergraduate Only)- If parent does not meet qualifications, student must be able to verify financial independence for two full years immediately before the term you wish to enroll.
I want to go to school in North Carolina at the start of next year . I am currently not in the state , but want to now if it is possible to pay out of state for the first year and in state for the consecutive years.
Hey Jeremiah,
There are four requirements to qualify for in-state tuition in north Carolina:
1. You have established your legal residence (domicile) in North Carolina
2. You have maintained that domicile for at least twelve (12) consecutive months before the beginning of the term
3. You have a residentiary presence in the state
4. You intend to make North Carolina your permanent home indefinitely
Hi. My daughter is considering a school in North Carolina and we live in Virginia. What would she need to do to quality for in-state rates?
Hey Amy,
There are four requirements to qualify for in-state tuition in north Carolina:
1. You have established your legal residence (domicile) in North Carolina
2. You have maintained that domicile for at least twelve (12) consecutive months before the beginning of the term
3. You have a residentiary presence in the state
4. You intend to make North Carolina your permanent home indefinitely
Hi,
My son, a US Citizen, who will turn 18 in Aug 2021, is looking to get admitted in one of the colleges in California in Fall 2021. My wife, a Green-card holder will be moving back from India to California, in October 2019 and will continue to stay there. Will my son be eligible for in-state fees?
Thanks in advance.
Hey Akash,
Thanks for reading! There are a few requirements for California:
1. Physical presence- You or a parent must be physically present in California on a continuous basis for at least 366 days prior to the residence determination date and this must be proven via documentation.
2. Intent to remain in California- You or a parent must relinquish ties to previous residence via California Driver’s License, registering a vehicle, register to vote, or file out-of-state income tax return as a nonresident or part-year resident on income earned prior to arriving to California.
3. Financial Independence (Undergraduate Only)- If parent does not meet qualifications, student must be able to verify financial independence for two full years immediately before the term you wish to enroll.
Hello Tom,
What are the requirements for establishing domicile in the state of Texas. My daughter will be attending college in Texas in Spring 2020. My older daughter will be graduating in December 2019. Can in state tuition be claimed for 2nd year onwards
Hey Anjum,
I’m sorry, I’m not sure what you mean by “What are the requirements for establishing domicile in the state of Texas.” Please email[email protected] if you have any other questions.
I’m planing to go to school at Wichita state university in Wichita Kansas,
how long would it take to gain residency?
Hey Kyle,
There are four residency requirements for the state of Kansas:
1. You must have a continuous physical residence in Kansas for at least 365 days prior to the first day of classes.
2. During said year, your sources of financial support to meet your living expenses must come from Kansas sources
3. You must show intent to remain in Kansas indefinitely.
4. The last requirement is that you must prove that you are residing in KS for reasons other than educational purposes.
Hi Tom,
We’ll be abroad in Europe for a few years, but looking to have our kids go to college back in Arizona.
What do they need to do to qualify for in state tuition at let’s say ASU or UA?
Thanks!
Hey Carl,
Thanks for the question! The person must have continuous presence in the state for 12 consecutive months prior to school starting and have ties to a domicile in the state of Arizona.
In general, does a student attending an out-of-state university, establish residency the first year they attend and then become eligible the second year for in-state tuition?
Hey Carmen,
Sometimes there are more requirements. I would be happy to help you out if you tell me what state you are referring to, thanks!
Hi! I’m hoping to go to The Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia. I would be living with my grandparents. How long do I need to live there to qualify for In state tuition?
Hey Abby,
There are a few requirements to qualify for in-state tuition in Georgia:
– Must have established a primary or permanent Georgia home at least 12 months immediately preceding the beginning of classes for the semester in which they were admitted
– Must provide documentation showing payment of Georgia state income tax and other documents including, but not limited to, Georgia drivers license, car or voter registration, home ownership, and full-time employment records
I was born in virginia and moved after I was 6 months old, and my family had lived there for 10 years prior to me being born and we have family that have been living there for 30+ years. My parents plan to move there after I get accepted into college. Will I be given in state tuition.
Hey Lina,
To be eligible for in-state tuition, you must be domiciled in Virginia for a minimum of one year prior to your application.
Hi, I am a high school student and I just finished junior year. My family had decided to move to Illinois around late June to early July and live there permanently. However I lived in California most of my life and I don’t know if I would qualify for in-state tuition there. I have heard some information but I am still confused about this. In other websites it says (since I’m a dependent) I would have to live there for 12 months before asking for aid but I’m not sure whether the time to ask for aid is during the months I would fill out my college applications. If it is those fall months then I wouldn’t qualify then. Is the deadline the first day of class (of the University I want to get in)? or the months I have to apply for a university?
Hey Anudari,
Are you looking for the requirements of qualifying for in-school tuition in the state of California?
Hey Tom! I am from Nebraska and am planning to go to a college in Wisconsin. Do you know what Wisconsin’s rules are for in state tuition?
Hey Kelci,
From the University of Wisconsin-Madison website: “In general, you must be a bona fide resident of Wisconsin for at least 12 months prior to enrollment to be eligible for in-state tuition.”
Hi Tom,
How long do I have to be living in the State of California to eligible for an in-state tuition ?
Hey Kit,
There are three requirements to be eligible for California independence:
1. Physical presence- You or a parent must be physically present in California on a continuous basis for at least 366 days prior to the residence determination date and this must be proven via documentation.
2. Intent to remain in California- You or a parent must relinquish ties to previous residence via California Driver’s License, registering a vehicle, register to vote, or file out-of-state income tax return as a nonresident or part-year resident on income earned prior to arriving to California.
3. Financial Independence (Undergraduate Only)- If parent does not meet qualifications, student must be able to verify financial independence for two full years immediately before the term you wish to enroll.
Hello, I’m planning on going to Oklahoma for college, how long do I have to live in that state to get an in state tuition ? Thank you !
Hey Sun,
According to the Univeristy of Oklahoma, they define an in-state residence as such: “Resident status is granted to financially independent adults who are permanently residing in Oklahoma and who have been physically and continuously present in the State of Oklahoma for at least one calendar year prior to the first day of class attendance at any Oklahoma institution of higher education; and who, during this one-year period, resided in Oklahoma for some reason other than primarily to attend classes at a post-secondary educational institution.”
We have a different situation,. We moved out of California the fall of my daughters sr year. We lived in Oklahoma for about 5 months, in which my daughter graduated high school. We came back to our hometown in California and she is going to our local community college. They are saying she is not a resident until after 1 year and a day. But Oklahoma also considered her a out of state resident. She kept her California license and never worked in Oklahoma. Where the heck is she a resident of then??
Hey Lisa,
I’m sorry to hear that, we suggest contacting your individual school.
How long do I have to be living in the State of Tennessee to enroll in an in-state tuition for UTM?
Hey Austin,
There are no time requirements but there a few other caveats. Including, in order to continue to qualify for in-state tuition the student needs to remain continuously enrolled at the University and within 1 year of enrollment must register to vote and provide at least two (2) of the following: Tennessee driver’s license, Tennessee motor vehicle registration, Proof of Tennessee Employment.
My daughter will be a college junior next fall in TX. She has her sites set on a medical school also in TX. How difficult would it be to establish TX residency?
Hey Renee,
Like the above comment states, 12 consecutive months prior to enrollment. Thank you and good luck!
Hey! I plan on moving to Texas for college. Do you know how long the state minimum is?
Hey Victoria,
According to the UTSA website “The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) has established the rules and regulations governing Texas residency for higher education. An eligible non-immigrant that holds a visa that is eligible to domicile in the United States will need to provide supporting documentation for their claim to Texas residency. These documents will show that the person has resided in the state of Texas for at least 12 consecutive months prior to enrollment.”
I plan on paying out of state for the first year, and then living there throughout the summer, to then pay in-state tuition the following years. Is this possible? Also, how long/often can I visit home in the year while I’m still in the process of gaining residency? Thanks!
Hey Luke,
Each state has different parameters and minimum time needed to qualify for in-state tuition. Please let me know which state you are referring to and I will forward you the information.
Hi there. My daughter has been accepted for out of state school. I have a job offer in the same state. Would my daughter qualify for in-state tuition for her 2nd, 3rd and 4th year of college if I am resident and pay taxes there for 12 months prior to the start of the second year?
Hey Sarah,
If you can let me know which state she will be attending college in, I will be able to give you the minimum time needed!
Hi! My son is considering University of MD. We have a second home there. How long would he have to live there to get in state tuition? He turns 18 during his senior year. Also, could he start as an out of state and then change? Thanks.
Hey Tara,
Below is the UMUC requirements for in-state status:
https://www.umuc.edu/costs-and-financial-aid/tuition/qualifying-for-in-state-rates.cfm
Would you happen to know how long I’d need to be living in Washington DC to qualify for in state tuition? How would I go about establishing residency there? Thank you!
Hey Patricia,
A minimum of 12 month residency is required.
so if i have a family member that being a grandparent how long would i have to live with them in the state of florida to be able to get in state tuition which will save thousands. is this a possible thing to do
Hey Luke,
You must be able to prove that you or the claimant have established bona fide domicile in the state of Florida for at least 12 months preceding the first day of classes.
Need a student loan in Texas for about 9,500.
Hey Darryl,
Thanks for your post! Below is a link to compare private student loan lending options:
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