Pending I-485, in-state tuition

[EKKIM 1]

Hey guys, 

 

I know this topic has been discussed several times on this forum, but I wanted to confirm one thing that confused me. 

 

So, I know that pending i-485 doesn't grant you an in-state tuition as it depends on school, but I read several people say that you have to be an legal resident for one year to be eligible for in-state tuition. 

Does that mean you have to live in the state for at least one year after you receive your green card? or does it matter what status you were on while you were living in that state? 

 

I have lived in Tennessee as a non-student for over a year (OPT) and went back to school for a year, so I have been living in TN for about little bit over two years, and my wife has been living in TN for well over five years. 

 

Would I be eligible for in-state tuition as soon as I get my green card?

[Londonergirl 133]

That would be up to the school, you would have to talk to them. 

But most schools want you to have been a resident in that state for 1 year before you can receive in-state tuition. 

[Bzlibem 111]

24 minutes ago, EKKIM said:

Hey guys, 

 

I know this topic has been discussed several times on this forum, but I wanted to confirm one thing that confused me. 

 

So, I know that pending i-485 doesn't grant you an in-state tuition as it depends on school, but I read several people say that you have to be an legal resident for one year to be eligible for in-state tuition. 

Does that mean you have to live in the state for at least one year after you receive your green card? or does it matter what status you were on while you were living in that state? 

 

I have lived in Tennessee as a non-student for over a year (OPT) and went back to school for a year, so I have been living in TN for about little bit over two years, and my wife has been living in TN for well over five years. 

 

Would I be eligible for in-state tuition as soon as I get my green card?

For me, in order to be eligible for an in state tuition, I had to prove that I’ve been a resident of my state for at least one year prior to the first day of classes and present a green card. I believe that every school has different rules regarding residency and tuition. Generally, you are not eligible for an in state tuition if you are an international student and you can’t change your status from international to domestic unless you get a green card/you are undocumented and graduated from high school (or got a GED) within the USA.

[Bzlibem 111]

It depends on your college’s rules but I would say that you will be fine for an in state tuition as soon as you get your GC and show them a proof of residency from 2 years ago (lease agreements, bills, tax, drivers license)

Edited March 13, 2018 by Bzlibem

[Londonergirl 133]

Have you got some sort of degree already? If not, I've heard that it is going to be free to do 2-year degrees in the state of TN in the fall of this year. 

[EKKIM 1]

3 minutes ago, Londonergirl said:

Have you got some sort of degree already? If not, I've heard that it is going to be free to do 2-year degrees in the state of TN in the fall of this year. 

Yeah I've heard of that, but it's only for community college and I don't really need to take any classes from cc