About being a WV citizen (Fairmont: job, house, university)

[Millie87]

This might seem like a stupid questipn but for someone not from the US it can be confusing. I was wondering if you have to have a US citizenship to become a citizen of a certain state, eg WV.
My concern is beacuse of college tuitions, seeing that they are indeed -much- lower when you are a citizen of WV. My own research gave me the conclusion that after you had finished your first year of college you can apply for a WV citizenship and pay the lower tuition, but it was not clear if this only applied to US citizens or not.
Is there a way to obtain that same benefit coming as a non-US citizenship holding a student visa?

Thanks!

[creemarie]

If you are a WV resident, you can receive in-state tuition rates, assuming you attend a WV school. After becoming a US citizen, you'll only need to live in WV for 1 year to be considered a resident of the state and be eligible for the in-state tuition rates.

However, if you are a WV resident and want to go to school in another state, you'll have to pay out of state/non-resident tuition rates. So it's best to establish the residency requirements for the state your school is located in order to get the best tuition rates.

Does that make sense to you? I hope it's not too confusing!

[GottaHerdOn]

I think in order to get the lower tuiton rates and be a resident of WV you have to be a United States citizen as well.

[David Kennedy]

Some colleges give tuition and scholarship breaks to certain foreign nationals.
Wanting to promote a cultural diversity, Fairmont State University is looking into the future with an international attitude. Marshall and WVU are good too, but the smaller colleges are making a greater effort. FSU hosts 5 satelite campuses and carries an enrollment of approx 8500 students with a five year goal of 12,000. With the 200 million spent to upgrade the campus, they are well on their way. You did not mention a country, but muslims are greeted favorably as are asians...nor a discipline...that would have helped. As it's enrollment increases, Fairmont State University will take on an international presence.
good luck

[WVUPharm2007]

At WVU you have to live in WV for a year while NOT being a student to get in-state tuition. After my wife and I got married, got a house, and she submitted a letter from her employer stating that she was offered a job in WV and that she planned to stay afterwards - she was still denied in-state tuition. Apparently being a resident married to a native with an assortment of other credentials isn't good enough. They basically told her that she would have to take a year off, then come back and apply for in-state status. Waiting a year made no sense for us financially or lifestyle wise long term, so we've just been paying the extra $10,000 a year since.

[Katie1]

You could also become a part of a student exchange program & not be a US citizen. There are also student visa. Go to a college in your area they can best explain the programs & help you.

Once you know what school & area you will be going to let us know & I am sure the forum can tell you about the location & other things to keep you from feeling lost when you get here. Good luck!