How to Get Instate Tuition for Live Aboard Teenagers

[julietboggio]

Can anyone advise on how we go about getting our teenagers into university at instate rates if we live on a boat travelling the world?-kids are American passport holders and EU passport holders. thanks

[maytrix]

Do you maintain residence in any state? If you do, they should apply for instate rates in that state. But I think it can vary from state to state.

[Adelie]

Register the boat in the state you want in-state tuition in. You will probably need to establish a mailing address there and registering to vote wouldn't hurt.

[ohdrinkboy]

Adelie is on the right track. Also file income taxes in that state. Some states require a certain number of years of taxes to be paid to qualify.

[CapTim]

Seems like I was able to go to the Univ of Wyoming after living in the state for 6 months. "living in the state" meant either having a permanent address there, or holding a job there. So it might be as easy as simply putting them to work part-time, and getting a local mailing address (one of the many companies that offer the service will probably know more). Of course, a quick call to the university of your interest might put it to rest Also, it'd probably be easier to get into a community college. So a couple of semesters there, then a move to something else if you'd like. But community colleges are nice for a lot of reasons, in my very humble and probably incorrect opinion. If I had it to do over again, I'd just hit a good trade school and skip college. But that's another debate

[Don L]

you of course need to be a resident of that state!

And be aware that the rules for getting in state tuition are different than the rules for taxes etc for the state

you have to check the rules for the state, but be advised that you probably have to a state resident quite a ways before the start of school

My daugther lived in NY full time for 2 years and still didn't get in state tuition

[s/vPainkiller]

My experience (SC and NC) is that they want more than just a voters registration card to establish residency for tuition purposes. You have to own property or have a signed lease, plus stuff like utility, cable bills, etc to verify that you actually live there or can establish that you have a residence there. This is more stringent than just establishing "residency" for voting and tax purposes. Which means I think using mail forwarding addresses like St. Brendans Isle won't cut it for getting instate tuition unfortunately.

Scott

[skipmac]

My experience matches all previous comments but bottom line, varies state to state, in some cases dramatically.

The only way to get the complete and correct answer is to contact the college and state you're targeting.

[zeehag]

you must become a resident of the state

[MikeinLA]

I see that you're in California. I would suggest that you have your children throw away their passports and any other identifying documents. Have them tell the university that they were brought here by their parents from a foreign land (as world cruisers, this is true). They should not only get in-state tuition, but may get a scholarship.

Mike

[Kettlewell]

Most of the above are correct, and the emphasis needs to be on it depends on which state and which school. I bet all 50 states have different rules, like they do for driver's licenses, voting, etc. But, I would imagine establishing residency, paying taxes, registering your boat there, renting a marina slip, etc. would all help.

[Cheechako]

It appears in Wa State that the requirement is one year. They also mention that the more documentation the better (auto vehicles etc)
"


1. Are you applying for resident status as a dependent student whose parent or court -appointed legal guardian has maintained a bona fide domicile in the State of Washington for at least one year?
Yes No

[Ex-Calif]

For California (as an example) UC and Cal State are different but residency is evaluated at the campus level. in addition to residency students are now required to have a pretty high attainment educationally - top 9% of HS grad class for example.

My brother works in the UC system and has a lot of the political background (a lot related to maintaining diversity) but I won't go into that.

Here is an excerpt from CAL state

"Establishing Residence
Generally, establishing residence in
California for tuition purposes requires
a combination of physical presence and
intent to remain indefinitely.
An adult who, at least one full year
prior to the residence determination
date for the term in which enrollment is
contemplated, has been both physically
present in the state and also has timely
evidence of the intent to remain in
California indefinitely, may establish
residence in California for tuition
purposes. A minor derives residence
from the custodial parent or the parent
with whom the minor child most
recently resided.
Evidence demonstrating intent will
vary from case to case but shall include,
and is not limited to, the absence of
residential ties to any other state,
California voter registration and voting
in California elections, maintaining
California vehicle license plates and
driver’s license or I.D. card, maintaining
active California bank accounts, filing
California income tax returns, owning or
leasing residential property or renting an
apartment where permanent belongings
are kept, maintaining active membership
in California professional or social
organizations, and maintaining a
permanent military address and home of
record in California."

You can read more details by following links from here.

California Postsecondary Education Commission -- Residency Requirements

BTW - No slag intended but in state tuition is funded by taxpayers - My son is resident of and I pay taxes (a lot of) in California. If you haven't been a taxpayer and are interested in gaming the system, I don't really have a ton of sympathy.

Also college planning is extremely complex these days. It isn't easy and I sympathize that you want your kids to have the best education possible. I doubt you will get your definitive answers on a sailing website.

[S/V Illusion]

I must say it sounds like you are trying to get a tuition break you may not rightfully deserve. If it's that difficult or complex a question to answer, maybe that should tell you something.

Tuition at state schools is already heavily subsidized by the government. The greater the discounts offered to legitimate in-state students, the greater the tax burden on the rest of us. Maybe the original poster isn't clear but it sounds like he is trying to get a break on his expense at OUR expense.

[Kettlewell]

I think the OP is trying to legitimately comply with the rules so he can get instate tuition. I would certainly contemplate moving my home (my boat in this case) to a state where my son or daughter wanted to go to school. As long as he meets the requirements, why is that cheating? Also, I don't think it is that simple--each of 50 states, and probably each college too, has different regulations. None of us can really answer without knowing the state and the college, so I think he needs to do his own research.