If you are nearing the end of your high school career, you may find that many of your

friends and
peers are attending in-state schools like FSU or UCF. While there are several advantages to
attending an in-state university, it may be beneficial for a student to consider all of their options
before narrowing their focus onto their target schools.
The main consideration you should have when comparing your options is what certain schools
offer that other schools don’t. Every college and university is built differently. Some are better
for learning about certain fields with unique majors, while others may offer a special social
atmosphere such as featuring either a lively party scene or a highly competitive academic
environment. Considering out-of-state options may better enable you to get what you want out of
your undergraduate experience. Or maybe you are just the kind of person that is energized by a
new adventure. Going out-of-state will force you to form new social connections, which while
also helping your future job prospects, may also help you develop as an individual in ways that
attending school at home may not have.
Of course, going to school out-of-state may demand greater financial costs than would otherwise
be incurred, such as travel expenses or increased tuition. Regularly seeking scholarships, as well
as researching potential financial aid plans, can ease much of this additional burden. For
instance, federal Pell grants can be awarded to those students who demonstrate a financial need
for one; these funds can alleviate the strong majority of potential fees. Other schools may also
offer discounts to out-of-state students who qualify. Federal student loans could also be a source
of funding.
The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa is an example of a school that is friendly to those that
are out of state. Such freshmen with at least a 3.0 GPA along with a minimum score of 27 on the
ACT and/or a score of at least 1260 on the SAT may receive merit-based scholarships ranging
from $6,000 to $28,000. For Florida students, they may be able to capitalize on the Academic
Common Market upon reaching graduate school, which is an agreement among many schools in
Southern states to offer discounted tuition to students from other states within the region. If you
already knows that you will pursue a postgraduate degree, looking into this could be a way to
alleviate some stress that may come later.
Perhaps the simplest solution to attending an out-of-state school is to establish residency in the
new state. Doing so should be done carefully, however. Typically, states will allow a person to
declare themselves as a resident if they demonstrate an intent to move to the state, which may
only be possible if the student (or guardian if they are a dependent) has lived in the new state for
at least one year. If that is your situation, or if attending an out-of-state school is still attractive to
you, it is very much worth your consideration! In the end, the college experience is about
personal growth and professional development, which can happen for you wherever in the
country you choose to go.