{"id":10,"date":"2017-04-20T20:08:30","date_gmt":"2017-04-20T20:08:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/alisonbryce.net\/seniorproject\/?page_id=10"},"modified":"2017-05-10T16:06:50","modified_gmt":"2017-05-10T16:06:50","slug":"the-story","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/alisonbryce.net\/seniorproject\/the-story\/","title":{"rendered":"The Story"},"content":{"rendered":"

Leaving home for college- why so many students come from out of state for higher education and how they pay for it<\/strong><\/p>\n

By Alison Bryce<\/p>\n

alison.bryce13@gmail.com<\/p>\n

Leah Kashar would have laughed at the thought of going to school in Texas a few years ago. If you would have asked her if she was going to join a sorority, she would have responded with \u201chell no.\u201d But after multiple trips to see the campus, that is where she finds herself studying.<\/p>\n

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When not busy with school or extra activities, Leah Kashar enjoys visiting the lake near campus for some fresh air.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Born in California and then moving to New York, Kashar didn\u2019t see herself wanting to come to the south for college. But since both of her parents are UT alumni, it was a requirement that she at least considered it.<\/p>\n

\u201cI came down for one visit and didn\u2019t really love the campus but because of my parents, it had to at least be an option. I actually had my heart stuck on another school,\u201d said Kashar. \u201cAfter a second visit though, I fell in love with the atmosphere and the city and knew I wanted to go to UT.<\/p>\n

Now a junior, Kashar is involved not only in her sorority but also a Jewish group on campus. She also has an internship near campus where she is utilizing different marketing skills she has learned through her classes. But paying for tuition is something that still bothers Kashar each semester.<\/p>\n

“I apply to a variety of scholarships and grants each semester but it never seems like enough,” said Kashar. I love the school but I don’t like the price.<\/p>\n

According to the NICAR College Scorecard, The University of Texas is the costliest out-of-state public university to receive a bachelor\u2019s degree at in Texas, charging out-of-staters $33,842 per semester. A&M University, who ranks second in out-of-state tuition costs, charges $25,126 per semester while the third priciest, Stephen F. Austin State University, charges $19,032. With the cost slightly over triple the amount in-state students pay, students would expect that with the large bill, there would be a lot of opportunities for additional scholarships and grants.<\/p>\n

While there are some programs such as OFA Undergraduate Non-Resident Tuition Exceptions, they do not cover every student. Undergraduates have to apply and if they meet a list of requirements, then they may be eligible for the aid. If you are looking to find a list on the University of Texas\u2019s website, think again. There is a list of common financial aid assistance for all students (in-state and out-of-state), but nothing specifically for those moving to Texas to attend UT. A financial aid counselor should be contacted to learn as much as possible to help cover the cost of tuition.<\/p>\n

Students interested in going out-of-state for education should look into how long it takes to receive residency in the state to get lower tuition costs. For Texas, as long as you live in Texas for two years, you can apply for in-state tuition, according to Kashar, who applied for it as soon as she could.<\/p>\n

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A problem for many students<\/h6>\n

The University of Texas is not the only school to make it difficult for out-of-state students to receive help paying for college.<\/p>\n

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Lauren Bratcher sits outside the science building while waiting for her next class to start. All of the space outside is something that helped Bratcher decide she wanted to attend for college.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lauren Bratcher, an exercise sports science major at Texas State University, came to Texas from California and had to take out loans to cover the cost. Like Kashar, Bratcher applied for in-state tuition as soon as she could.<\/p>\n

\u201cI found out afterward that there were a couple of scholarships that I would have been applying for but they told me this as I was applying for in-state tuition so I was like \u2018oh that\u2019s awesome. Thank’s guys,\u2019\u201d said Bratcher. \u201cI mean, there was help, just no one told me about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

It is not just first-year students who are not given any advice for paying for school. Carly Shields, a family and childhood development major at Texas State University, originally went to The University of Memphis and then to a community college near San Diego State University so she could be in the marching band, said she has received no help from the university either.<\/p>\n

Shields moved to Texas to be closer to family and after a semester off to help pay bills, decided to attend Texas State because of the cheaper tuition rates. At the time of beginning her education in Texas, she was still considered an out-of-state student since she had not lived in-state for two or more years.<\/p>\n

\u201cStudent loans help a lot,\u201d said Shields. \u201cBut I only get student loans. I don\u2019t get any scholarships or anything. Most of my tuition is being paid because of the loans I have had to take out.\u201d<\/p>\n

[su_youtube_advanced url=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=e80OKemy8A0″ width=”680″ height=”520″ responsive=”no” showinfo=”no” rel=”no”]<\/p>\n

Texas State University does offer different forms of assistance to students who come from different states. The center for retention management is a branch of the Division of Student Affairs and purpose is to help out-of-state students get connected on campus and feel welcomed. Besides providing information about activities to join on campus and around San Marcos, their goal is to act as another mentor for financial help and student involvement. Located in the historic yellow house at the edge of campus, the Center for Retention Management is often forgotten about when out-of-state students find themselves needing assistance with things their academic advisors have troubles with.<\/p>\n

Located in the historic yellow house at the edge of campus, the Center for Retention Management is often forgotten about when out-of-state students find themselves needing assistance with things their academic advisors have troubles with.<\/p>\n

“We have students from all over here to get an education,” said Emma Carberry, a student development specialist that works with Student Success. “I think that is because we try to make it as easy as possible for those who want to get information about school or activities or whatever they need. All they need to do is come talk to us here or schedule an appointment.”<\/p>\n

Although she did not know the exact reason for the higher cost of tuition for out-of-state students, Carberry had her own theory.<\/p>\n

“The state only gives schools so much money per student,” said Carberry. “They give more for students who are from the state, so to make up the difference, people who come from other places unfortunately have to pay more.”<\/p>\n

Besides not giving a lot of information on websites, some universities in Texas are raising their tuition rates- but only for out-of-state students. A&M University, who already ranks second on the NICAR College Scorecard for out-of-state tuition in Texas public schools, voted to raise out-of-state students up to $200 per credit hour. This price rise will only affect incoming students and current students who had not chosen to have the locked-rate (fixed) plan when first enrolled to the university.<\/p>\n

However, according to the Texas A&M website<\/a>, \u201cthose paying non-resident tuition will be billed the state mandated non-resident rate, but other required fees will remain locked.\u201d<\/p>\n

This means that if the state decides to pass a new bill requiring universities to charge more for out-of-state students, current students would have to pay the new rates.<\/p>\n

For anyone planning on moving to Texas for higher education, consider becoming a resident after the required two years and schedule an advising appointment with an advisor from the school you plan on attending. That way, all of the possibilities that can help cover the extra out-of-state costs can be shared.<\/p>\n

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