In-state/Resident tuition at Penn State questions

Yo there! · 06-29-2008, 09:27 PM

Hello. I am not completely sure how in-state/residency works for Penn State for my situation. I have read some of the requirements, but they seem vague. Anyway, my parents are divorced. One parent lives in Pennsylvania and one lives in New Jersey. I live in New Jersey and have lived there my entire life. My questions are: Do I qualify, or can I qualify for in-state tuition at Penn State, although I live in New Jersey? Because one of my parents lives in Pennsylvania (even though I do not live there technically) does that automatically make me a resident? I am not sure if I can legitimately get in-state this way. Any answers (or ideas on getting in-state tuition fees) would be helpful. Thanks.

BCEagle91 · 06-29-2008, 09:39 PM

Q: If I am living with one of my parents in another state, can I be considered a resident for tuition purposes if my other biological parent is a Pennsylvania resident?

A: Possibly. If the biological parent of a student has been a Pennsylvania resident for 12 consecutive months prior to the student's enrollment, the student would be considered a resident for tuition purposes.

Penn State Undergraduate Admissions - Residency FAQ

thumper1 · 06-30-2008, 07:26 AM

>>I live in New Jersey and have lived there my entire life. My questions are: Do I qualify, or can I qualify for in-state tuition at Penn State, although I live in New Jersey? >>

Maybe. But you can't qualify as a resident of BOTH states. In most cases, your state of residency is the state in which you reside (in your case New Jersey). Typically residence is defined as where you spend the majority of the year. If you spend better than six months living with your dad, that would qualify you more easily...and of course, if he contributes more than half of your support that would help too.

More than likely, you are considered a resident of NJ. But check with PA re: your situation.

Yo there! · 06-30-2008, 06:22 PM

Thanks for the help. It looks like I have a slim chance at in-state, but maybe still possible.

Yo there! · 08-12-2008, 06:52 PM

For anyone with a similar situation to this, there is good news. I recently spoke with the Penn State bursar and they told me that I would be considered in-state as long as I could show that my father is a tax paying resident of PA.

cptofthehouse · 08-12-2008, 08:11 PM

Yo there, it has been my experience that most states will permit a child to get state residency if either parent has state residency even if it is not the custodial parent for FAFSA purposes, tax purposes or custody purposes.

thumper1 · 08-12-2008, 08:22 PM

Thanks for the update, and the information. I learned something new (always check!!) re: being able to be considered a resident in both states if your parents are taxpayers in both states (at least for this poster in NJ and PA).

I guess the best answer to this one is that each person should check the rules in THEIR state(s).

cap · 08-12-2008, 09:34 PM

My kids would actually qualify for in-state tuition in three states. My husband is in the military and is a resident of one state, I'm a resident of another and we live in a third that gives in-state tuition to military dependents.

cptofthehouse · 08-13-2008, 11:30 AM

Most states are lenient about in state tuition as long as a parent is a resident in the state. However, as Thumper says, ALWAYS, ALWAYS check on your specific situation. You just might be in a situation where you do NOT qualify and if you assume you do, you could have a problem.

There was a post recently where a student who lives with a relative found out that he was not considered in state when he had assumed he was. Being that the state offered free tuition to students of his calibre, it was very much to his interest to make sure he went through the steps he needed to get in state status. I remember one mom thinking her child would get in state consideration for going to boarding school in a particular state. You really do have to carefully check out your college and state rules. The college of your choice is particularly relevant as they can have their own rules that may not match the rules for voting, registering a car, etc. Many colleges have a one year residency requirement, or a tax paying requirement for giving in state status for tuition.

thumper1 · 08-13-2008, 01:10 PM

My understanding is that it is a tax paying AND residency requirement for the parent...not just tax paying. For example, DH worked full time in a neighboring state...paid state taxes to that state, but our kids were NOT considered residents of that state because DH didn't reside there.

sk8rmom · 08-13-2008, 05:54 PM

There are a number of states that will grant in-state tuition for a non-resident child of divorced parents, or a child who is being raised by someone else in that state. In addition to PA, I believe KY, WV, Vermont, and Hawaii have exceptions and there are probably others as well. College Board has a very useful summary by state (search it for state residency) if you're in that situation - you might be pleasantly surprised!