What are Texas's rules of residency for college tuition purposes?

Question

I moved to TX for college and now that I'm here, the college I'm at is telling me that residency in this state isn't based on residency at all, but on how long a person has worked here.

My college said that I will never be considered an in-state student eligible for in-state tuition rates until I have worked 12 full months here in Texas, though they don't need to be consecutive.

I've worked 6 months here, but am having a really hard time finding a job right now. It seems somewhat discriminatory to me that people born in Texas don't have to have a job to get in-state tuition, but people who move here for college have to work for an entire year to be considered in-state students.

Is this right? My counselors didn't seem sure and told me to look into it, but I have no idea where to look.

Answer 1

You have to have lived in the state a year before entering college or a full year as an outsider in Texas before trying to submit yourself as a resident in order to show residency. Another way to prove it is an employer having documentation of you working in Texas for at least a year because it shows that you have an intention to remain in Texas.

However, anything that shows you've existed in Texas for 12 months should be accepted by your college. Bills, pay checks, bank statements, lease...

Answer 2

Each schools policy may be a little different so you really need to read the colleges requirements.  Look on the schools website regarding admission standards and residency requirements.  If you dont find it, look in the college catalog.    

It is true it isn't based on where you live - but it ISN'T solely based on if you work in the state either.  There are dozens of factors the schools admission office use to determine this.  That being said, even if you work for a year or more you STILL may not be eligible for in-state tuition.  They look at if you are self supporting, as well as if you registered to vote when you got there, changed your drivers licence, and most importantly not enrolled in college while living in that state to gain residency there.  

I say this because your statement, "I moved here to go to college" is a SURE FIRE way to get your in-state claim request denied.  Because the whole purpose of determine in state is based on INTENT.  And if your intent to move to texas was to go to college you are suppose to be paying out of state tuition... this is VERY clear in each schools policy.

Once out of state, always out of state is almost always the case unless you quit school for a year or two and are completley self supporting and over 24.