Eligibility for in-state fees

In-state fees is applicable only for public colleges and not for private colleges.

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This section is applicable to people like me who have a "crazy" plan to move to the city where your child is going to college. For all other normal parents, this section can be ignored.

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Below are a few details:

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1. For a student to be eligible for in-state fees, the student's parents should be physically present in that state for 12 months prior to college start. That is typically mid –August.
   
   

2. Some colleges check for residency every year and some colleges check it just once and the status us valid throughout the 4 years of college.
   
   

3. Some colleges check this only once when the student starts freshman year. If you are not eligible at that point of time, then you will not be considered for the entire 4 years. Many colleges allow in-state consideration request every year.
   
   

4. In many colleges, just being physically present in the state for 12-months is not sufficient. You need to prove that you DID NOT move just for the sake of in-state college fee consideration. For example, you need to have a job in the state.
   
   

5. Typically documents needed as proof of residence include:

   1. Driver's license

   2. Home ownership/rental proof

   3. Registration for voting in the state

   4. Tax returns