In-state/Out-of-state tuition

[aritra1989]

So i get my first offer in the form of a TA ship, but the language of the offer letter confuses me totally. It sounded more like a law suit than a PhD offer to be frank.

Here's a sample: "This assistantship will cover 50 percent of the base in-state tuition costs, academic fee and engineering fee for the fall and spring semesters.... As a Graduate Assistant, you would also be exempt from paying out-of-state tuition". Additionally, the total support offered to me has been calculated by SUMMING the in-state and out-of state tuition exemptions.

The question is, you are required to pay EITHER the in-state tuition fees OR the out-of-state tuition, but not both, right? I am an international applicant and this should mean I am exempt from paying any tuition fees at all. Can anyone confirm if out-of-state applicants need to pay some in-state tuition fees as well? Also, (if my stars are shining real bright), can this by any chance mean the in-state support mentioned in the letter will be added to my stipend?

Any help will be highly appreciated!!

[StephanieJ]

You would only have to pay in-state tuition in this case.

[Biz]

No, actually it reads like you will only be required to pay in-state tuition (much less than out-of-state, which includes international students) and your assistantship will cover 50% of that in-state tuition.

So... you end up paying 50% percent of the in-state tuition for one academic year (two semesters).

What you may be seeing if there is a summation of in-state and out-of-state costs is that you are only receiving this benefit for one year of a two year program? I'm not sure since you didn't provide that information.

Edited March 20, 2012 by Biz

[kaguyahime]

It isn't clear to me exactly what you have been offered (for example, what does "the total support offered to me has been calculated by SUMMING the in-state and out-of state tuition exemptions" mean?). But I agree with Biz, it sounds as though you will be responsible for paying 50% of the in-state tuition.

However, in case this wasn't spelled out in your offer, there is a difference between "tuition" and "fees."

There are "fees" that are the same whether you are in-state or out-of state; these are things like health center fees, and probably the engineering fee you mention. So there would certainly be students required to pay in-state FEES and out-of-state TUITION...

[ImGrumpy]

By this letter, you will end up paying 50% of the instate tuition, academic fees and engineering fees.

"the total support offered to me has been calculated by SUMMING the in-state and out-of state tuition exemptions."

The only purpose of this sentence is really an accounting play for the university. Here is how it would look for in-state vs out-of-state students if total tuition and fees were $10,000 in state and $20,000 out of state.

In-state

$10,000

Less $5000 50% cost exemption for graduate assistantship

$5000 - Total you will pay. $5000 - Total support being offered.

Out-of-state

$20,000

Less $10,000 - 100% differential for out-of-state exemption

Less $5000 50% in-state cost exemption for graduate assistanship

$5000 - Total you will pay. $15,000 - Total support being offered.

In the end, in-state and out-of-state students pay the same amount but for university accounting purposes out-of-state students are being offered a larger support package.