ksskumar Posted June 9, 2011 Report Posted June 9, 2011 I joined part time MBA in Jan 2011 while in H1B status and pending I-485. As I had already worked continuously in Texas for a couple of years, I was able to pay in state fees for the first semester. However, after receiving my green card a few days ago, when I asked the international office to waive some fees related to international students, they stated that I will now have to pay out of state tuition. They claimed it was Texas law that you should have had GC for a minimum of 12 months to be eligible for in state. Is this true? I don't understand how permanent residency status can cause you to pay out of state.If that is the case, I won't be able to continue with my MBA as I can't afford out of state tuition. Any information will be much appreciated.
davidid8 Posted June 10, 2011 Report Posted June 10, 2011 It looks like they made a mistake by allowing you to pay instate tuition before you had your green card. What I know is you have to be a green card holder or US citizen and have lived in TX for 12 months before you can pay in state tuition.
Joe.F Posted June 10, 2011 Report Posted June 10, 2011 You would have to look up the law in Texas. Here in CA, the law says that you have to have established residence in the state for a year before being eligible for in-state tuition. I assume that's similar in Texas. So, the question then would be: how does a person establish residence? For Americans, it is actually living there. For foreigners, it can be having a GC for one year. In CA, being on H1, H4 or similar for one year in the state is also good enough. I don't know if that's the case in Texas. And btw, the international office probably doesn't know much about this. They deal with people on F1. Talk with the registrar. From a quick look at the UT Austin website http://bealonghorn.utexas.edu/residency, there is a website called collegeforalltexans (can't post the link here), which has the residency classification info.
pontevecchio Posted June 10, 2011 Report Posted June 10, 2011 Is this true? It could very well be. Politely ask them to give you a printout of the relevant Texas Law or point you to that law.
Joe.F Posted June 11, 2011 Report Posted June 11, 2011 Originally posted by davidid8: It looks like they made a mistake by allowing you to pay instate tuition before you had your green card. What I know is you have to be a green card holder or US citizen and have lived in TX for 12 months before you can pay in state tuition. Not according to what I saw on the websites about residence classification.
t75 Posted June 11, 2011 Report Posted June 11, 2011 You likely must be classified as a state resident on the first day of classes for a particular semester. They will not modify charges retroactively.
mjsmithjones Posted July 29, 2011 Report Posted July 29, 2011 If you cannot pay out of tuition fees and after 12 months you will be allowed to pay in state fees, then you might consider deferring for a year. I hope things work out sooner for you though
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