In-state Vs Out Of State Tuition

[artmd24]

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Hello everyone. I am a first time poster but long time reader and I was wondering if you could please help me out with some confusion I was having. I was just accepted to a medical school on the east coast which has a much lower average in-state tuition rate than average out of state tuition rate. Naturally, I figured that after the first year of living there and attending medical school, I would be considered a resident of the state and would get the in-state tuition the following three years, but I found out that I still have to pay the out of state tuition rate during all four years. Does anyone know why this is? Also I heard of some crazy ideas of people purchasing homes rather than renting or getting married to in-state residents so to be able to get the in-state tuition fee. Would that even work? Would you guys happen to know any loopholes on how to get the in-state tuition rate after the first year of medical school?

If anyone can help shed some light on this topic I’m sure it can help a lot of people out. 😉

Thanks a lot,
artmd24

 

[liverotcod]

Typically, this is on a state-by-state basis, although sometimes on a school-by-school. For example, Pennsylvania has very restrictive residency requirements, and essentially nothing you do while in med school will get you instate. Ohio offers residency to just about everyone after one year, and "instant residency" if you have a spouse working in the state. Purchasing a house is not usually enough to change your residency status. You just have to read the rules for the state you're interested in, and perhaps call the residency office (every school has one) to get further information.

 

[Furrball]

Often moving to a state for the purpose of education does not qualify you as an instate resident for tuition purposes. Normally you have to live in the state for one to two years with a job before you qualify for the in state rate. Here in Oregon there are some exceptions like if you bought a house or if your spouse was employed.

 

[nala]

I agree with the above. At my school, you have to be an in-state resident for at least 1 year before you matriculate. So even if you become a state resident in January and start school in August, you do NOT qualify for in-state tuition. You have to pay out of state rates for all 4 years. Schools would just lose too much money if they let you become in-state residents.