College costs--out of state

[ky911sc]

Anyone have any experience how to negotiate in-state costs at an out of state school?
#2 son wants to attend a school out of state, 2.5x cost of in state school.
Good 3.5 gpa, good ACT score.
We have the 529 savings that will pay for the in state school, but can one get the in state rate?
The costs these days are out of control since I graduated in 1985.

[masraum]

good luck, I have no luck or experience negotiating costs down. I'd be surprised unless there is a reason that #2 son is really desirable from the colleges point of view. Then again, most folks would be very surprised at what is negotiable, so if nothing else, it may be possible to reduce it a fair amount.

[jyl]

The negotiation is via the financial aid offer. If the school really, really wants him, then they may give him a larger aid package than your assets/income would otherwise imply. From what I've seen, the student has to be pretty exceptional for this to happen.

[MRM]

As JYL said, you can't negotiate in-state tuition. Resident and non-resident tuition are set by law. The negotiations come in the form of negotiating scholarships and the financial aid package. Your high school's guidance counselor should be able to guide you through the process step by step. Essentially you express your preference for the school but let them know that you're applying at X Y and Z schools and will take the best deal.

You will be assigned an admissions contact when you apply and as you're accepted, so that is the first place to start. But as a warning, realize that public schools do not have the scholarships and other incentives available that private schools do. Often times a private school will cost less than an out of state private school.

What schools are you looking at?

[ky911sc]

Thanks for the comments.

Son really likes Miami of Ohio, but not at that price for out of state students.

They did send an offer for a few thousand per year, but not the difference between in state and out of state. I would be willing to write the check for the in state cost and not ask for anything else from them, but dont know if that would even work.

[MRM]

Miami of Ohio is well known as a "Public Ivy". They are highly selective and aren't likely to offer incentives unless they're in competition with a real Ivy and Stanford/Berkley/Cal Tech. A 3.5 and a good SAT will be competitive but something like 75% of their incoming classes come from the too 10% of their high school class. It's an outstanding school and may very well be worth the extra dollars if your son can get in. I wanted my son to apply but he wasn't willing to look outside the upper Midwest. Personally I would pay the difference to have my son go there. It's that good.

[nota]

fake a move
or is it really a fake
as we are residents where we say we are

find someone who could use a little cash to be host to a phantom roommate
or a friend distant relative biz guy you know ect
get your kid a D/L in the school's state

my kid wanted to go to a pac12 school
so when he was out there in the state he got a D/L there
came home did jrC for a while and then went out
to his dream school as a in-stater

[Arizona_928]

I know a few kids at asu that are out of state. The university offered them scholarships for 30k to cut the out of state tuition in half. They're still paying 30-35k a year for undergrad.

Honestly, it shouldn't matter where you go for undegrad...

[pavulon]

money isn't everything but since we're discussing money and college...
Episode 485: What's Your Major? : Planet Money : NPR

[Mericet]

Can he find an in-state sponsor? I know that works in some states.

[john70t]

Originally Posted by nota

fake a move
or is it really a fake
as we are residents where we say we are

When it comes to a D/L, insurance, and taxes, you are instantly considered a California resident.
When it comes to school, you have to wait a whole year.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Just curious, but is it really worth the hassle and expense to go there? For most industries your undergraduate college means very little. While I understand if your son simply wants to go there, my kids want a lot of things that they can't have. Let's not forget that in-state tuition is cheaper because the citizens of that state help fund the university.

[madmmac]

Most 529 plans you are able to pretty much pick the state and school with no increase from in state cost. You just have to check with your state.

[PorscheGAL]

We are also beginning to look at college. You didn't say what grade your son was in but his GPA is not high enough by today's standards. He should be loaded up on AP classes or taking classes at the local college or community college as Dual Enrollment to boost his grades past the 4.0 in order for an out of state or ivy league to do a little extra to get him there. That being said, here are some things I have found that can help.

I would suggest your son start looking at scholarships. There are several books put out every year with listings of thousands of scholarships. If he wants to go out of state, he needs to start sending in applications. Here is one: http://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Scholarship-Book-2015-Scholarships/dp/1617600458/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1421672236&sr=1-1&keywords=scholarship

I do know that some colleges will give you a break if you offer to pay cash. Ask the school "If we don't ask for any financial aid from the college's side can we get in-state costs?" Some will do this.

Good Luck!!

[911_Dude]

Originally Posted by PorscheGAL

... but his GPA is not high enough by today's standards. He should be loaded up on AP classes or taking classes at the local college or community college as Dual Enrollment to boost his grades past the 4.0 in order for an out of state or ivy league to do a little extra to get him there...

Are you serious! That sux. Im glad my kids are past college now.

[dennis in se pa]

Think about how a little "belt tightening" at these "institutions of higher learning" would probably cut the cost of tuition in half. Yes, the state subsidizes them, but do you see how they throw money away? And the administrators live like kings with NO ACCOUNTABILITY. I believe in continued education, as much as I do in good healthcare, but both have become cash sucking monsters.

[tadd]

Check and see if your state has recprical tutition agreement with the state you are interested in. My Sis has the pay in advance when babies for her kids. They can go to florida or georgia schools even though she lives in FL.

BTW, having been on the other side, I would highly reccomend that you take a hard look at the costs vs the college name for the BS/BA. Employers rarely bat an eye once at your undergrad once you get past your first job. Save the top notch for grad school. Unfortuanlly, people still get all atwitter about a PhD from harvard when the PERSON aint that great.

As I have mentioned many times to others, if you kid wants to go to college get him to do a few night classes at a community college while in HS. SAT/ACT are just predictors. Community college is real college and PROVEN sucess...which is what the admission peolpe looking at your kids application are trying to gauge.