My parent is in the military, and I'm about to start the whole college application process. Is it true that military dependents can get in-state tuition in any state, or does it vary by school or state?
The details of in-state tuition benefits for military dependents can be a bit complex and can indeed vary by state and by school. Currently, the federal law requires public colleges and universities to charge in-state tuition rates to qualifying veterans and their dependents under the "Post 9/11 GI Bill" and "Montgomery GI Bill". This law only applies to those who are currently living in the state of the school they wish to attend, not those who are living out of state but plan to move there for school.
However, some states have taken this a step further and enacted laws that provide in-state tuition benefits to military dependents regardless of their current residency, as long as the dependent has a parent who is a veteran or currently serving.
It's important to note that for some colleges, these rules may only apply if your parent is an active duty member of the military, not if they’re a veteran or a member of the reserves. Therefore, it's recommended to check the website of the colleges you are interested in applying to, or reach out to the admissions office directly to understand their specific policies regarding in-state tuition for military dependents.
Also, remember that benefits like these often require additional paperwork, so be sure to figure out what additional forms or documentation you will need to submit with your application well in advance of any deadlines.
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