Do you have to be a citizen to get in-state tuition in the USA?

Laurie

State schools are supported, in large part, by the state's tax system. States realize that state residents have already, through taxes, paid for the operation of the school. That is why schools charge OUT-of-state residents more; out-of-state residents have NOT been paying for the operation of the school. Therefore, what the school is looking for to determine whether you are eligible for "in-state" tuition is whether or not you/your family have been CONTRIBUTING to those taxes for AT LEAST a year previous to attending school. So, ask yourself: Have you/your family for at least the last year: ... been paying state income taxes? Did you file taxes as a state resident? ....been paying state employment taxes? Did you work in the state and have taxes withdrawn from your paycheck? ... been paying state property taxes? Do you own a home or lease an apartment in the state? Do you own other property on which you pay state taxes? Have you registered a car and paid state property taxes? If the answer to these questions is "yes", then you will need to check the "residency" requirements for that particular school, and whether you are a legal permanent resident of the US. If the answer to thee questions is "no"... then you SHOULD pay out-of-state tuition rates, if not international tuition rates.

Speed

Each state university system establishes its own rules for the requirements for in-state tuition. Where I live, you have to be an "emancipated U.S. citizen or permanent resident whose domicile has been in the State of New York for a period of at least one year immediately preceding the time of registration for any period of attendance shall be considered a New York State resident for the purpose of determining the tuition rate..."