State Colleges

Taking a gap year to establish residency in a state can save students thousands of dollars on tuition

Taking a gap year to establish residency can help students save thousands in out-of-state tuition fees.Students can save thousands off out-of-state tuition by establishing residency or participating in a regional exchange program.

Roughly 43 percent of incoming freshmen cited cost of attendance as a "very important" factor in their final college selection, according to an annual report by the University of California—Los Angeles.

Cost-conscious students often view state colleges as the least expensive route, and generally, that is true. In-state tuition at public universities was about $10, 000 less than out-of-state tuition for the 2012-2013 school year, according to tuition data reported to U.S. News in an annual survey.

But there are ways for students to save thousands of tuition dollars without being confined to their home state, says financial aid expert Mark Kantrowitz, publisher of Edvisors.com.

Schools make many kinds of exceptions, he says. "If your parents are in the military, but you are out of state, sometimes they will waive residency requirements. Sometimes if parents are policemen or firemen, they waive it. Sometimes there are exceptions for teachers."

Colleges may also have flexible residency requirements for students who live near state lines and want to cross over for college, Kantrowitz says.

Students can also take a gap year and relocate to establish residency in the state where they want to attend college. Having your mail sent to an aunt's place in Sacramento and snagging a California driver's license won't cut it. Applying to a college exactly one year after you move to a state will also raise red flags, warns Kantrowitz.

"Many of these colleges are very aggressive in denying people who qualify for it just by manipulating the situation, " he says.

To improve their odds of getting resident tuition, students should build up a lengthy paper trail, he says.

"Pay state income taxes, get a library card, register your car in the state, register to vote. Do all of the above, so there isn't anything to suggest you have ties to the other state."

The Freshman, College Snapbacks (Buffalo State College, Orange)
Apparel ()
  • Collegiate Licensed Caps
  • 3-D High Definition Embroidery Front and Back
  • Plastic Snap Back Closure
  • Cap Worn to Support All College Team s Sports: Baseball, Football, Basketball, Hockey, etc
  • Authentic Official Stitched Collegiate Mascot or Logo.
You might also like:
Welcome to Johnson State College!
Welcome to Johnson State College!
Wedding Rings State College
Wedding Rings State College
TNT Media- Licensed Sports NCAA Florida State Seminoles College Team Train Toy
Sports (TNT Media- Licensed Sports)
  • Our licensed wooden trains can operate on tracks that are compatible with most of the popular push/pull series of children s trains like the Thomas, brio, and other...
  • Officially licensed by the NCAA, to display your favorite college s logos and colors on our trains in order to ensure your team is accurately represented
  • Tested by independent agency to ensure compliance with US consumer product safety improvement act (CPSIA) regulations
  • Our collegiately licensed wooden trains can operate on tracks that are compatible with most of the popular push/pull series of children s trains like the Thomas...
  • Our products have been meticulously designed to properly represent the history and personality of the colleges and universities depicted on the trains
  • Each train is made form real wood and has magnets on the front and back to enable the trains to attach to other trains, cars and vehicles
  • Dimensions: 3 1/2 inches long x 1 3/8 inches wide x 2 1/2 inches high; 2.8 ounces
  • Recommended age of 3 years and older; Officially licensed by the NCAA
State Colleges of MA Boat
State Colleges of MA Boat
Lyndon State College
Lyndon State College
BSI NCAA Oklahoma State Cowboys 2-Sided 28-by-40 inch House Banner with Pole Sleeve
Sports (BSI)
  • Officially licensed NCAA Collegiate product.
  • 28 by 40 inches
  • Two sided with liner
  • 3 inch pole sleeve
  • Screen printed design
College Flags and Banners Co. Michigan State Spartans MSU Sparty University Large College Flag
Sports (College Flags and Banners Co.)
  • 3 x5 in Size with two Metal Grommets for attaching to your Flagpole
  • Made of Polyester with Quadruple-Stitched Flyends for Durability
  • College Logos viewable on Both Sides (Opposite side is a reverse image)
  • Perfect for your Home Flagpole, Tailgating, or Wall Decoration
  • Officially Licensed and Approved by Michigan State University
Duck Brand Duck Brand 240260 Arizona State University College Logo Duct Tape, 1.88-Inch by 10 Yards, Single Roll
Home Improvement (Duck Brand)
  • Pay tribute to an alma mater or favorite school
  • High performance strength and adhesion characteristics
  • Tears easily by hand without curling and conforms to uneven surfaces
  • Each roll is 1.88 inches x 10 yards
  • Comes in handy for everyday repairs, tailgating and crafting
Out of State Colleges
Out of State Colleges
Glenville State College - Hidden Promise
Glenville State College - Hidden Promise
Related Posts