Colleges with Lowest Out-of-State Tuition

Who is included

Residents of Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio and Wisconsin.
What it does

Coordinated by the Midwest Higher Education Compact, MSEP is a collection of more than 80 schools that agree to charge no more than 150 percent of in-state enrollment costs to qualifying students. Private schools may also participate if they agree to offer a discount of at least 10 percent.
How to qualify and apply

Visit msep.mhec.org and input the requested basic information into the Get Started online tool.

Who is included

Residents of every state except California, as well as the U.S. Virgin Islands.
What it does

States and educational institutions voluntarily join SARA, which develops a state-level reciprocity process that is wider than traditional regional reciprocity agreements. The program is administered jointly by the four regional governing bodies detailed in this section. When states are approved for membership, they can then begin enrolling eligible schools, which can then begin enrolling out-of-state students from across the country at reduced tuition rates.
How to qualify and apply

If you live in a SARA state, determine if your desired school participates in the program. Then, visit or contact the school’s SARA liaison officer.

Who is included

Residents of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.
What it does

All 82 of New England’s public colleges and universities, along with their 800 collective degree programs, participate in the RSP Tuition Break program. The average participant saves $8,033.
How to qualify and apply

Permanent New England residents should start by making sure they meet the desired school’s RSP enrollment requirements, then declare an RSP-approved program as their intended field of study.

Who is included

Residents of Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Texas and Florida participate, but only at the graduate level.
What it does

The Academic Common Market provides access to more than 1,900 programs, both graduate and undergraduate, to students across the South. Students who are accepted will receive tuition rates reduced below that which is paid by non-SREB students.
How to qualify and apply

The program is neither competitive nor merit based, but applicants must live in SREB states. Prospective students must complete an Academic Common Market certification application from their state and confirm that a school in their state does not already offer their program of choice.

Who is included

Residents of all 16 Western states, including Alaska, Hawaii and the Dakotas.
What it does

Coordinated by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, WUE is the largest program of its kind in America. It opens more than 150 two- and four-year schools to regional students who live within the WUE zone. Qualifying students who are approved will pay 150 percent of the enrolling school’s in-state tuition rate, provided the student is pursuing a long-term degree.
How to qualify and apply

Apply directly through your choice of participating WUE schools, each of which develops its own WUE application process and eligibility guidelines.

Who is included

Any qualifying student.
What it does

The IRS offers a special tax credit to help students cover tuition costs — even for attending an out-of-state school. The credit covers 100 percent of costs up to $2,000 and 25 percent of the next $2,000 for total credits of $2,500. Students can even keep up to $1,000 in refunds if the credit drops their tax bill to zero.
How to qualify and apply

Fill out IRS Form 1098-T

Who is included

Virtually all freshmen accepted to schools that offer these types of grants.
What it does

So-called “cocktail scholarships” are merit-based grants that either award comparatively small amounts of money or award money to virtually every freshman accepted to the school. According to Time, these awards got their nickname because they enable parents to brag at cocktail parties about the scholarships their children were offered.
How to qualify and apply

Time’s list notes more than 90 schools that offer these types of financial aid. Remember that many offer scholarships for only freshman year, many are so competitive that they’re longshots even for well-qualified applicants, and some have tuition rates that are cost-prohibitive even with partial scholarships.

Who is included

Active-duty military personnel with at least 90 days aggregate service on or after Sept. 11, 2001, those who were honorably discharged from service during that time and those who were discharged with a service-related disability after more than 30 days.
What it does

The bill provides full tuition payments—as well as access to a variety of career, vocational, professional and entrepreneurship programs—along with housing allowances, stipends for books and supplies, and even financial help with attending foreign schools.
How to qualify and apply

If you were discharged on or after Jan. 1, 2013, there is no time limit to receive the benefits. Those who were discharged before that have 15 years to take advantage of the program. Visit the “Get Started” page of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website to learn how to apply.

Who is included

Undergraduate students who haven’t already achieved a professional or bachelor’s degree, and who aren’t incarcerated or otherwise involuntarily committed for a sex offense.
What it does

Pell grants are distributed by the federal government based on need and, unlike student loans, don’t ever have to be repaid.
How to qualify and apply

Start by filling out a standard FAFSA form.

Who is included

Students in participating states.
What it does

Many neighboring states, such New Mexico and Colorado, have mutual agreements that allow students from one state to pay reduced tuition rates at a school in the other. In some cases, out-of-state students receive the fully reduced in-state tuition rates paid by full-time residents in the friendly neighboring state.
How to qualify and apply

Contact your desired school’s academic advisement department to find out if such a state-to-state reciprocity agreement exists, or check the state-by-state financial aid programs listing by NASFAA.

Who is included

Those who meet eligibility requirements for maximum Post-9/11 G.I. Bill benefits, are not on active duty and are not a military spouse using transferred entitlement. In some cases, the service member’s children are also eligible.
What it does

Schools that participate in the Yellow Ribbon program pay for tuition fees and costs that exceed the limit of a service member’s Post-9/11 G.I. Bill entitlements. In many cases, this applies to students who exceed their limits by applying to private schools or out-of-state public schools.
How to qualify and apply

Start by finding out if your desired institution is among the list of participating Yellow Ribbon schools, then explore that school’s eligibility requirements.

The financial aid process is a constantly shifting, continuously evolving landscape. The U.S. Department of Education maintains an office specifically dedicated to providing the most up-to-date information regarding financial aid procedures and programs.

2018-19 Federal Student Aid at a Glance

This resource contains the most critical nuggets of information about current student aid options, procedures, qualifications and tips, and presents them clearly and in plain language.
Federal Student Aid: Find the Information You Need

Here you’ll find a list of resources that can guide you through the financial aid process and help you understand what to expect.

Develop Reasonable Expectations and Goals

The Federal Financial Aid office maintains a page specifically designed to help parents prepare to help their college-bound children. Parents should use this source to develop realistic expectations moving forward, and to craft plans for success.

Checklists for Academic and Financial Preparation

Use this collection of handy checklists to make sure you’ve got all your bases covered in assisting your child with the financial requirements of attending college.
Understanding College Costs

This guide offers parents a primer on what’s included in the cost of college, how to lower those costs and how to find schools in your family’s price range.

Understand How Your Situation Impacts the Applicant

In order to successfully complete the FAFSA application, students will have to be prepared to answer questions about their parents.

Parent/Student Worksheet

This resource examines the information that applicants will be expected to provide about their parents or guardians.
How Aid is Determined Worksheet

This resource informs both parents and applicants about how much aid a student can expect to receive depending on, in part, their parents’ situation.

Learn How to Prepare a Student Facing Special Circumstances

Some parents assume their children are not eligible to receive aid because of extenuating circumstances like criminal convictions or undocumented status. That’s not always the case, and several resources exist specifically for these special cases.

Aid for Non-Citizen Students

Learn how many non-citizen students are still eligible for financial aid.
Students with Criminal Convictions

It’s true that legal trouble can preclude an otherwise qualified student from obtaining aid, but not always.
Students with Intellectual Disabilities

Find out what kinds of aid are available to students with disabilities and how to pursue them. Some colleges also offer specially designed college programs for students with intellectual disabilities that have a variety of resources.

Don’t be Afraid to Ask for Help

The complex patchwork of rules, regulations and requirements associated with securing financial aid can be confusing and intimidating, even for parents. Several groups provide services—some at a cost—to help parents navigate this terrain.

In-State Angels

In-State Angels is an organization dedicated to helping students secure in-state tuition rates for out-of-state schools.
Campus Consultants Inc.

Campus Consultants has three decades experience helping students and their families plan and prepare for financing higher education.

Even teachers and counselors who are well-versed in the process and experienced in guiding students need to brush up on the most current trends, guidelines and topics. Organizations like the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators – (NASFAA) offer resources that can help teachers and counselors be the best possible mentors.

National Training for Counselors and Mentors

Provided by NASFAA, this resource directs counselors to free resources, tools, information and training.
2017-18 Counselors and Mentors Handbook on Federal Student Aid

The government compiles and maintains this resource, which is designed for anyone advising students on the particulars of securing financial aid.
Poised to Lead

Counselors and teachers can use this guide to better understand how to walk students through the process of applying for and obtaining financial aid for college.

Use Multimedia Educational Tools

Organizations like StudentAid.gov provide teachers and counselors with resources and instructional aids in a variety of formats. Information is often easier for students to digest when it’s delivered in a graphic presentation or video format.

Financial Aid Process Video

This video lets students know what to expect while applying for financial aid.
Types of Federal Student Aid Video

Another video resource that helps make students aware of their options when pursuing financial aid.

Prepare for Questions from Non-Traditional Students

Guidance counselors should be ready to serve students who have specialty cases, such as those in military exemptions and those who are encountering issues with attending foreign schools.

Military Service Aid Worksheet

Here you’ll find information specific to securing aid for military members, their dependents and spouses.
International Student Worksheet

This resource is filled with facts and contacts necessary for students, both graduate and undergraduate, who are pursuing an education overseas.

Understand the Needs of Low-Income Students

Low-income students might need extra help seeking and securing financing for college. The good news is, they also have programs at their disposal designed just for them. Teachers and counselors should put themselves in the best position possible to serve these high-need students.

Form Your Future

This organization exists specifically to help students from less-affluent families secure financial aid.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

Like Pell grants, FSEOG grants serve undergraduate students with “exceptional financial needs”.

Get State-Specific

Rules, regulations, options and programs often vary wildly state by state. As a teacher or counselor, it’s your job to focus on the offerings and organizations available specifically in the state where your students live and study.

State Financial Aid Programs

Here you’ll find information on state-specific grants, scholarships and financial aid programs.
State and Regional College Tuition Discounts

This resource provides information on securing reduced tuition rates for out-of-state schools through regional or state-to-state agreements.