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Establishing residency is one way to get in-state tuition, but it isn’t always the best way. There are several other opportunities to get in-state tuition as well. Establish residency
If you’re a dependent student, you can establish residency in a state only if one of your parents has been living in that state prior to your enrollment, usually for at least 12 months prior. If you’re an independent student, the same principle applies: You generally need to live in the state for a full 12 months before you can apply for resident status. You can typically provide proof of residency with a lease agreement, utility bills, pay stubs or a letter from your employer. Living in a dorm also does not typically count as living in the state, so you’ll have to live off campus. The state may also require you to provide evidence that you intend to remain in the state for more than just educational purposes. For example, you can get a driver’s license issued by that state, register your vehicle in the state or move your voter registration from your home state. In other words, you need to show that you plan on staying in the state long-term. You’ll also need to prove that you’re financially independent and a U.S. citizen, a permanent resident or a noncitizen with an eligible visa. In some cases, you may be eligible for an exemption to these rules. For example, you may be married to someone who qualifies as a resident. Check with your school for an idea of which exemptions you’re eligible for. Regional exchange programs
Some states participate in regional tuition exchange programs, which allow students in neighboring states to qualify for a reduced tuition rate at select schools. For example, the Western Undergraduate Exchange includes 16 states and territories. Students who participate in this program won’t pay more than 150 percent of the in-state tuition rate if they attend a school within the region. In other words, if a school charges the average in-state tuition for 2021-22, which is $10,740, you would pay no more than $16,110, as opposed to the average out-of-state tuition of $27,560. Visit the for a complete list of other regional exchange programs. Reciprocity agreements
Instead of or in addition to a regional exchange program, some states may have reciprocity agreements with individual states. For example, Wisconsin residents can attend public schools in Minnesota and pay in-state tuition rates, and vice versa. Check with your state to find out if there is an agreement like this in place. Student exchange programs
Some colleges have agreements with other schools to provide in-state tuition for students from those schools. The has more than 150 participating schools in the U.S., Canada, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. If your school is in the program and you attend another school in the program as part of this “study away” program, you’ll pay either the hosting school’s in-state tuition rate or your home school’s tuition rate. You can stay at a host school for only one full academic year, but you can spend time at multiple participating schools during your college career. Is establishing residency worth it
Taking the time to establish residency can save you a ton of money — an average savings of $16,820 per year adds up to $67,280 over four years. However, it can be challenging to meet all of the residency requirements, especially if you’re a younger student and still primarily dependent on your parents. If you’re thinking about taking a gap year to complete the process, consider that it will delay your college graduation by a full year. This isn’t always a bad thing; a gap year could give you the chance to work and save up for college expenses and establish financial independence. A more significant drawback is the fact that you’ll need to relinquish your residency status in your home state. You’ll no longer be registered to vote there, and if the income tax rate is worse in the new state, you’ll need to factor in that additional cost. Do your due diligence on the process and how likely it is to pay off. If it doesn’t work out, you may end up graduating a year later and still end up paying a higher out-of-state rate. Other ways to lower tuition costs
There are other ways you can save money on college beyond qualifying for in-state tuition. Scholarships
One of the best ways to fund your education is through . Unlike with , you don’t have to pay back scholarship money. Your school may offer scholarships based on your financial need, but you may also qualify for scholarships based on your grades, athletic achievements, heritage, experience and other factors. Additionally, many private organizations offer scholarships and grants to college students who qualify. Websites like and provide access to millions of opportunities. Federal financial aid
Both in-state and out-of-state students may qualify for federal financial aid, including student loans, grants and work-study. like the Pell Grant and the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) are given to students who qualify based on demonstrated financial need. are also an option. The amount available varies depending on your year in school and whether you’re an independent or dependent student; upperclassmen receive more federal student loans than underclassmen, and independent students receive more federal student loans than dependent students. State financial aid
Most states provide grants only to students attending in-state programs, but . Visit your state’s department of education website to see what its funding rules are. Dual enrollment
If you’re still in high school, see if your school offers dual enrollment. This allows you to take community college classes while still in high school. You’ll earn community college credit that may count toward your college degree. This strategy works best if the community college has an articulation agreement with the four-year school you hope to attend later on. This means that your credits will automatically transfer as long as you maintain a certain GPA. Learn more
SHARE: Ben Luthi is a personal finance and travel writer who loves helping people learn how to live life more fully. His work has appeared in several publications, including U.S. News & World Report, USA Today, Yahoo! Finance and more. Chelsea has been with Bankrate since early 2020. She is invested in helping students navigate the high costs of college and breaking down the complexities of student loans. Related Articles