Top Ways to Qualify for Reduced College Tuition Fees
Students can access reduced tuition by exploring regional or legacy programs.
By
Higher education has become so expensive that it deters upcoming college students before they even get to call themselves "freshmen." Fortunately, there are now more ways to qualify for reduced college tuition fees,
Every academic year, millions of students seek how they can qualify for reduced college tuition fees through special programs and scholarships. Even if you are attending a school out of state, doing good in school, or have family connections, you can now receive reduced college tuition fees with these tips:
In-State Tuition at Nearby States
Most upcoming students may not know but there are now reciprocity agreements where they can pay in-state tuition at public schools in nearby states, per US News. Usually, these agreements are available to those students who live near state borders.
For instance, there is a program between two states that allows residents in counties that reach the state border to attend certain public schools in another state at in-state rates. With these, college students can dramatically cut costs while having more colleges to go to if they take up such agreements.
To determine if you are eligible, it's best to contact your state's higher education office first.
Regional Exchange Programs
Planning to attend college in another state? You can reduce tuition for out-of-state colleges now with regional exchange programs for undergraduate students.
In an example by US News, the WUE-Western Undergraduate Exchange allows qualified students residing in Western states to pay no more than 150% of in-state tuition at one of the participating schools. Some also offer reduced college tuition fees for their students within their respective areas of domicile.
However, most of these programs require eligible criteria, including a particular major or the number of students that can be allowed within a particular school. Make sure that you're aware of this program and apply as early as you can.
Legacy Scholarships
According to Ursinus College, many colleges and universities have legacy scholarships when there is a personal connection to that school. So, children of alumni may receive in-state tuition rates or other special rates.
In fact, the University of Missouri's Black & Gold Scholarship removes all non-resident tuition from academically qualified students whose parents are alumni.
With this tip, if you have a family member who graduated from a school you're considering, reach out to the alumni association or admissions office to see if you are eligible for a legacy scholarship.
College-Specific Scholarships
One of the best ways to qualify for reduced college tuition fees is by way of college-specific scholarships that often depend on academic performance, location, or some other criteria.
According to US News, some universities offer in-state tuition rates for students coming from neighboring states, regardless of their grades. Others even offer programs that cut down the tuition fees if a student has a high school GPA of 3.2 and above.
Still, it would help to research specific scholarships for each school as well as their eligibility criteria, since most have prerequisites for obtaining them first.
