Studying under EAD while waiting for my green card?

[Anjaek99 1]

Hi. Excuse me if I'm not doing this the right way, it's my first time posting something on here. I entered the US on a K1 visa in september 2024, got married in november and filed for my AOS and EAD early December. Yesterday I finally got my EAD approved. I'm interested in continuing my education here and I have been looking into different universities. Do any of you know whether or not I can study while I'm waiting for my I-485 to get approved or do I have to wait until then?

[hplusj 306]

Your EAD grants you the ability to work AND study in the United States; however, with your AOS pending you run the risk of potentially being denied and having to abandon your studies.

 

I would advise online learning as an option, just in case.

[Boiler 46,574]

Are you concerned how a University will consider you, a resident or non resident.

 

You could have enrolled the day you entered

[mam521 2,372]

9 hours ago, Boiler said:

Are you concerned how a University will consider you, a resident or non resident.

 

You could have enrolled the day you entered

This would be my concern.  Depending which it is will determine if you apply as an international student and what tuition you'd be responsible for.  If you have a school locally, can wait another 6 months and prove residency for a year, many states have in state tuition for residents, making things much more affordable.  

[EatBulaga 446]

1 hour ago, mam521 said:

This would be my concern.  Depending which it is will determine if you apply as an international student and what tuition you'd be responsible for.  If you have a school locally, can wait another 6 months and prove residency for a year, many states have in state tuition for residents, making things much more affordable.  

@Anjaek99 For public higher education degree programs, without fulfilling the state residency requirements, you file as an international student or out-of-state, which are more expensive.

 

If you search around, you can find many other types of shorter training certifications that are cheaper like real estate license, food handler certificate, CPR certification, driver license, etc.

 

Something I recommend all new immigrants to US is to go thru the Khan Academy courses on Personal Finance and Financial Literacy, especially the parts about filing taxes, tipping, etc. and other money culture in the US.

Edited Thursday at 03:30 PM by EatBulaga

[mam521 2,372]

1 minute ago, EatBulaga said:

Something I recommend all new immigrants to US is go thru are the Khan Academy course on Personal Finance and Financial Literacy, especially the parts about filing taxes, tipping, etc. and other money culture in the US.

I suspect this would be beneficial to most, not just immigrants!  The financial literacy training kids receive in school these days seems to be lacking, at best!

[Sarah&Facundo 603]

My husband entered on the K1 in April. He was already studying in college by June. He didn't get his EAD until September and his green card interview was a year after our wedding. You don't have to wait to study. He was granted in-state tuition, but this varies school to school. He just couldn't file a FAFSA until he had the green card.

Edited Friday at 01:55 AM by Sarah&Facundo

[Anjaek99 1]

12 hours ago, mam521 said:

This would be my concern.  Depending which it is will determine if you apply as an international student and what tuition you'd be responsible for.  If you have a school locally, can wait another 6 months and prove residency for a year, many states have in state tuition for residents, making things much more affordable.  

Does that mean if I wait until september and can prove I've been living in Michigan for a year, I'll fulfill the state residency requirements and get cheaper tuition? I was halfway through my bachelor degree when I moved, I was hoping I could transfer some of it and finish it here. They do say higher education in the US is superior.

 

10 hours ago, EatBulaga said:

@Anjaek99 For public higher education degree programs, without fulfilling the state residency requirements, you file as an international student or out-of-state, which are more expensive.

 

If you search around, you can find many other types of shorter training certifications that are cheaper like real estate license, food handler certificate, CPR certification, driver license, etc.

 

Something I recommend all new immigrants to US is to go thru the Khan Academy courses on Personal Finance and Financial Literacy, especially the parts about filing taxes, tipping, etc. and other money culture in the US.

These are very good tips, thank you.

[mam521 2,372]

14 hours ago, Anjaek99 said:

Does that mean if I wait until september and can prove I've been living in Michigan for a year, I'll fulfill the state residency requirements and get cheaper tuition?

Depending on what state you live in, if you can prove residency for 1 year, you can often get in state tuition at a public university rather than pay out of state or international tuition fees.  I'm not sure that Michigan is one of those states.  You and your spouse will have to look into it and/or if there are any bordering states that allow MI residents to enroll under in state tuition rules.  You'll also have to find out what credits previously earned would transfer in your program of choice. 

 

The cost of post secondary in the US is eye wateringly expensive, for the most part, compared to most places in the world.  If you can qualify for in state tuition, it will have a huge impact on the associated costs. 

[MalloryCat 477]

the state of Michigan (most colleges that I saw anyway, so I assume thats the standard for the ones I didn't see) follows this 1 year of residency rule

 

you could check community colleges,they are typically cheaper and might not be so strict with the 12 month rule

 

 

[Anjaek99 1]

7 hours ago, mam521 said:

Depending on what state you live in, if you can prove residency for 1 year, you can often get in state tuition at a public university rather than pay out of state or international tuition fees.  I'm not sure that Michigan is one of those states.  You and your spouse will have to look into it and/or if there are any bordering states that allow MI residents to enroll under in state tuition rules.  You'll also have to find out what credits previously earned would transfer in your program of choice. 

 

The cost of post secondary in the US is eye wateringly expensive, for the most part, compared to most places in the world.  If you can qualify for in state tuition, it will have a huge impact on the associated costs. 

Yes it is very expensive, college/uni is free where I come from, haha. Thank you very much for the help.

7 hours ago, MalloryCat said:

the state of Michigan (most colleges that I saw anyway, so I assume thats the standard for the ones I didn't see) follows this 1 year of residency rule

 

you could check community colleges,they are typically cheaper and might not be so strict with the 12 month rule

 

 

Thank you!!

[mam521 2,372]

On 3/28/2025 at 7:30 PM, Anjaek99 said:

Yes it is very expensive, college/uni is free where I come from, haha. Thank you very much for the help.

My kid could do instate, but she's headed back to Canada, where it's not free, but definitely much less expensive!