Do you have to pay higher tuition when you are an US resident but not a citizen?

Question

I am thinking about going to college in Chicago. I am a US resident living in Chicago since 2005. Will I have to pay higher tuition just because I am not a citizen?

Answer 1

If you are a permanent resident of the United States (green card), then your fees will be the same as any US citizen.

HOWEVER - if you are applying to an Illinois public university  (Urbana Champaign, Chicago, or Springfield), the key will be whether you qualify as a Illinois resident for tuition purposes.  Illinois has notoriously difficult residency standards - an individual who qualifies as an Illinois resident for tax or voting purposes does not necessarily qualify as an Illinois resident for tuition purposes.

The requirements are lengthy - if I cut and pasted them here you'd be reading all day. I've attached a link to a page that lists and explains them all.

Because you asked specifically about citizenship, I will list regulations D and E , which directly answer your question, and leave the rest for you to read on your own.

"D. A person who is not a citizen of the United States of America may establish resident status unless the person holds a visa which precludes an intent to permanently reside in the United States. A list of the visa classifications may be obtained from the Office of Admissions and Records.

E. Noncitizens may commence establishment of residency with notification of permanent residency status by the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service provided the person meets and complies with all the applicable requirements of these Regulations."

I hope this helps - good luck to you!