Hello, I'm a high school junior and my parent is in the military. I'm starting to look into college and was curious about in-state tuition. I've heard that some colleges give in-state tuition to military dependents, regardless of residency - is that true? Can anyone provide more information on this?
Absolutely, many colleges do provide in-state tuition rates to military dependents, regardless of where they've established official residency. This opportunity is often part of the benefits addressed under the Choice Act (Section 702), which requires public institutions to offer in-state tuition to veterans and their dependents, provided the student starts their studies within three years of the service member’s discharge from active duty.
However, keep in mind that individual states and colleges might have different rules and regulations, so it's essential to research each school and state you're interested in. You can usually find this information by contacting the financial aid or admissions offices at the schools you are considering.
Additionally, there are other sources of tuition assistance available to military dependents that you might want to investigate. For instance, the Post-9/11 GI Bill allows service members to transfer unused education benefits to their spouses or children. There's also the Military Dependent Scholarship (also known as the Fry Scholarship), specifically designed for military dependents of service members who died in the line of duty after September 11, 2001.
Please remember that navigating these options can get a bit complicated, so it might be helpful to reach out to a school counselor or a financial aid advisor for guidance. Ensuring you're fully informed will help you make the most of the opportunities available to you.
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