How Scholarships Can Help You Qualify for In-State Tuition in the U.S.

For students planning to attend a U.S. public university, one of the most important questions is:

Can I qualify for in-state tuition and reduce my overall cost?

This is the third article in our series on how Indian and international students can qualify for in-state tuition at U.S. public universities.

If you haven’t already, make sure to read the first two articles in the series:

• Can U.S. Citizens Living Abroad Get In-State Tuition at U.S. Universities?
• Can Indian Students Living in the U.S. with Parents on Work Visas Get In-State Tuition?

Now, let’s explore how scholarships can help you access in-state tuition rates, even if you are considered an out-of-state or international applicant.

What Is In-State vs. Out-of-State Tuition?

Public universities in the U.S. are partially funded by state taxes, so they offer different tuition rates based on residency:

• In-State Tuition: Lower fees for students who are legal residents of the state
• Out-of-State Tuition: Higher fees for students from other states
• International Tuition: Usually equal to or higher than out-of-state tuition

Example:
At the University of Texas at Austin, in-state tuition is approximately $11,000 per year, while out-of-state tuition is over $40,000 per year.

States That Offer In-State Tuition Through Scholarships

Several U.S. states allow out-of-state or international students to qualify for in-state tuition through specific scholarship programs.

Texas

Texas has one of the most accessible policies for scholarship-based tuition waivers.

• Students who receive a competitive scholarship of $1,000 or more from a Texas public university may qualify for in-state tuition.
• The scholarship must be awarded by the university and be merit-based.
• This policy is stated in Texas Education Code, Section 54.213.

Example: A student who receives a $2,000 academic scholarship from UT Austin would be eligible to pay in-state tuition.

South Carolina

Universities in South Carolina, including the University of South Carolina, offer in-state tuition to non-resident students who qualify for specific merit-based scholarships such as:

• Presidential Scholarships
• Dean’s Scholarships
• Top Scholar Awards

Each scholarship has academic eligibility requirements related to GPA, standardized test scores, or class rank.

Missouri

At the University of Missouri (Mizzou), the Black & Gold Scholarship allows out-of-state students who are children of alumni to qualify for in-state tuition, provided they meet academic standards.

Kansas

Kansas State University provides in-state tuition rates to out-of-state students who receive certain scholarships, including:

• Alumni-dependent awards
• High-achieving academic merit scholarships
• Regional scholarships for students from neighboring states

Western States – WUE Program

The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) is a regional tuition reduction program. It is not a scholarship but significantly reduces the cost for eligible students.

• Students from 16 participating Western states can attend public universities in other WUE states at 150% of in-state tuition, which is still much lower than the regular out-of-state rate.

Participating states include:
California, Arizona, Colorado, Oregon, Utah, Nevada, Washington, Hawaii, among others.

Tuition Savings at a Glance

Key Takeaways

• If you are applying as an out-of-state or international student, explore scholarship opportunities that can qualify you for in-state tuition.
• In states like Texas, even a $1,000 scholarship can unlock significant tuition savings.
• Always review the residency and tuition waiver policies of each university before applying.

Tips for Students and Families

• Apply early: Many merit-based scholarships are considered automatically if you apply before priority deadlines.
• Focus on academics: Strong GPA, standardized test scores, and class ranking are essential for most tuition-waiving scholarships.
• Ask questions: Contact admissions offices directly to ask about scholarships that qualify students for in-state tuition.

Need help navigating U.S. university admissions or scholarships?
Contact us. Our team is here to guide you at every step.