We specialize in helping Out-of-State Families Meet Texas In State Tuition Requirements TO Save Thousands On TuITION
Welcome to Tower Realty Austin, where we specialize in guiding out-of-state parents through the unique process of purchasing property in Texas to establish residency. If you’re considering a Texas university for your child’s education, you might not know that owning property here can be a strategic step toward establishing Texas residency.
Why is this important? Texas residency can qualify your child for in-state tuition, saving you thousands of dollars. Our experienced team is here to help you navigate this journey. We provide clear, step-by-step assistance in finding the right property anywhere in Texas to meet the Texas in state tuition requirements.
How much will you save with in-state tuition?
Use our tuition calculator to see how much you can save on tuition costs when you meet the in state tuition requirements in Texas through a property purchase. All you need to do is select your student’s current year, add their Texas university, and get an estimate of your tuition savings. Have questions about how to get started?
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Texas Instate Tuition Requirements & The Residency Process
Tower Realty Austin owner, Chesney Coker, takes you through the details of Texas residency and in-state tuition Texas requirements through investment property. Whether you or your student is attending Texas State, Texas A&M University, UT Austin, or another Texas University this process is applicable.
Video Transcript
Hi, my name is Chesney Coker. I am the owner/broker of Tower Realty. I’ve been helping out-of-state families gain Texas residency for over 14 years. I was lucky enough to grow up in Austin, and I have seen it change from a sleepy college town into what we now call Silicon Hills, one of the fastest-growing cities in America.
Whether you’re looking at the University of Texas, Austin because of its nationally recognized education, great weather, exciting sports, or robust social life, you’ve made a great choice. What I specialize in is making that choice more affordable.
If you are watching this video, you probably have heard about gaining Texas residency and the difference in tuition pricing. I would like to help you understand the process a little better and clarify a few issues that come up pretty frequently.
Usually, the first question I get asked is, is this legitimate? And why would Texas allow this? The answer to that question is a little nuanced, and there are a few concepts you probably want to be aware of.
First, you need to know that residency has been set at the state level, and the University abides by those laws. You can find direct links to those laws on my website: www.towerrealtyaustin.com.
Another thing you want to be aware of is that Texas does not have a state income tax. The majority of our tax base comes from property taxes, so that culture caused lawmakers to encourage outside investment, which is where you come in.
An out-of-state family purchasing a property increases the property values of all the properties around it, which in turn raises the tax base, helping fund the State of Texas and the University of Texas. It is a win-win situation for everyone involved.
Here is where my expertise will help you. There are essentially three steps to successfully gaining Texas residency:
Purchase a property in your child’s name.
Establish that the property is your child’s primary residence.
Make sure your child is independent for tax purposes for the year you’re applying for residency.
That’s a basic overview. My job is to walk you through each step to ensure you gain residency. Beyond that, we have a network of over 1,000 families that have gained residency. We can put you in touch with a family in your area that has gone through the process.
If you would like to reach out, I’d be happy to discuss the process with you in more detail. Feel free to look at our website and visit the frequently asked questions.
We will be here for you. Hook ’em! 🤘
What Our Past Clients Say
Tower Realty has some amazing people. JT Chesney. I have become like family to these guys. Very professional, they take their jobs very seriously and give us honest advice as if you were family. I am glad I found them.
JT was amazing from start to finish. Helping us navigate which apartment to buy, FaceTiming us from them so we could look around, and great follow up and follow through to get the job done. The rest of the company also works hard to make the management side of owning an apartment from a different state very manageable. I highly recommend JT and Tower Realty.
We had an excellent experience. Chesney and his team took care of everything and made this a seamless experience for us. Cannot recommend this company highly enough!! Rare to say that these days!!
Calculate Your In-State Tuition Savings At These Texas Universities
| In-state | Out-of-state | Savings | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas A&M University-College Station COLLEGE STATION, TX | $12,153.00 | $38,602.00 | $26,449.00 |
| The University of Texas at Austin AUSTIN, TX | $10,824.00 | $38,326.00 | $27,502.00 |
| The University of Texas at Dallas RICHARDSON, TX | $13,442.00 | $38,168.00 | $24,726.00 |
| The University of Texas at Arlington ARLINGTON, TX | $11,040.00 | $28,129.00 | $17,089.00 |
| Texas A&M University-Kingsville KINGSVILLE, TX | $9,136.00 | $24,687.00 | $15,551.00 |
| The University of Texas at El Paso EL PASO, TX | $9,161.00 | $24,524.00 | $15,363.00 |
| Prairie View A&M University PRAIRIE VIEW, TX | $10,786.00 | $25,654.00 | $14,868.00 |
| The University of Texas at Tyler TYLER, TX | $8,742.00 | $22,752.00 | $14,010.00 |
| University of Houston-Clear Lake HOUSTON, TX | $7,310.00 | $20,746.00 | $13,436.00 |
| Texas A&M University-San Antonio SAN ANTONIO, TX | $8,864.00 | $21,877.00 | $13,013.00 |
| Sul Ross State University ALPINE, TX | $8,806.00 | $21,557.00 | $12,751.00 |
| University of North Texas at Dallas DALLAS, TX | $9,140.00 | $21,811.00 | $12,671.00 |
| Texas Southern University HOUSTON, TX | $9,173.00 | $21,833.00 | $12,660.00 |
| Lamar State College-Port Arthur PORT ARTHUR, TX | $4,331.00 | $16,991.00 | $12,660.00 |
| University of Houston HOUSTON, TX | $9,221.00 | $21,749.00 | $12,528.00 |
| Texas A&M University-Texarkana TEXARKANA, TX | $7,536.00 | $20,025.00 | $12,489.00 |
| The University of Texas at San Antonio SAN ANTONIO, TX | $8,262.00 | $20,263.00 | $12,001.00 |
| Texas State University SAN MARCOS, TX | $10,581.00 | $22,397.00 | $11,816.00 |
| Texas A&M International University LAREDO, TX | $7,348.00 | $18,666.00 | $11,318.00 |
| Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi CORPUS CHRISTI, TX | $9,272.00 | $20,101.00 | $10,829.00 |
| Lamar Institute of Technology BEAUMONT, TX | $3,602.00 | $13,730.00 | $10,128.00 |
| Texas Woman's University DENTON, TX | $7,926.00 | $18,055.00 | $10,129.00 |
| Angelo State University SAN ANGELO, TX | $7,637.00 | $17,765.00 | $10,128.00 |
| Lamar University BEAUMONT, TX | $8,494.00 | $18,622.00 | $10,128.00 |
| Lamar State College-Orange ORANGE, TX | $3,192.00 | $13,320.00 | $10,128.00 |
| Sam Houston State University HUNTSVILLE, TX | $8,536.00 | $18,664.00 | $10,128.00 |
| Stephen F Austin State University NACOGDOCHES, TX | $8,844.00 | $18,972.00 | $10,128.00 |
| Texas A&M University-Central Texas KILLEEN, TX | $7,029.00 | $17,157.00 | $10,128.00 |
| The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley EDINBURG, TX | $8,132.00 | $18,260.00 | $10,128.00 |
| University of Houston-Downtown HOUSTON, TX | $6,788.00 | $16,916.00 | $10,128.00 |
| University of Houston-Victoria VICTORIA, TX | $6,781.00 | $16,909.00 | $10,128.00 |
| University of North Texas DENTON, TX | $11,044.00 | $21,172.00 | $10,128.00 |
| Texas Tech University LUBBOCK, TX | $9,300.00 | $19,260.00 | $9,960.00 |
Texas In State Tuition Requirements FAQ
We know you have questions about the residency process and we have answers. Learn more about how to qualify for in-state tuition in Texas to save thousands.
Is this a legitimate method to meet Texas in state tuition requirements? Why would Texas offer a program like this?
Establishing Texas residency is a legitimate and legal way to qualify for in-state tuition in the state of Texas. The Texas Education Code (TEC) Section 54.052 authorizes persons classified as Texas residents to pay in-state tuition, a rate of tuition that is generally three times lower than tuition rates for those classified as nonresidents. In the state of Texas, there is no income tax; instead, tax revenue is generated through property taxes. By incentivizing out-of-state families to invest in Texas, the tax base grows and the property values rise. It’s a win for everyone involved.
How does Texas residency work? What steps do I need to take to get my child residency in Texas?
Generally speaking, there are three steps to gain residency and meet the Texas in state tuition requirements:
- Purchase a property in Texas.
- Establish the property as your student's primary residence.
- After 12 months apply for reclassification through your Texas University admissions office.
Of course, within each of these steps, there are tasks and logistics to coordinate, and Tower Realty Austin has guided many out of state families through this process.
As Texas residency experts, we are with you through the entire journey, from choosing the property, negotiations, closing, property management, and maintenance, all the way through to the final steps to qualify for in-state tuition rates.
Whether you are purchasing a property in College Station, Houston, or elsewhere in Texas, we can help you meet the Texas in state tuition requirements.
Can I talk to someone who has done this?
Yes. We have helped over 1,000 out-of-state families qualify for Texas in-state tuition at a number of Texas universities through a real estate purchase. Introductions to previous clients are a routine part of our service and we are happy to coordinate a conversation.
Does my child have to live in the property?
Typically, university freshmen choose to live on campus, which coincides with the 12-month period required for establishing domicile in Texas and meeting the instate tuition requirements. Once your student establishes Texas residency (typically coinciding with their sophomore year), they have the option to live in the property they purchased.
What are the other costs associated with owning this property in Texas?
Aside from any mortgage on the property, property owners can expect to pay for routine repairs to their property, as well as annual real estate taxes, homeowners association dues, and any supplemental insurance (if wanted) along with any property management fees if you choose to rent the property.
Will this law change?
According to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, the number of students who met statutory requirements for establishing Texas resident status for in-state tuition under TEC 54.052(a)(3) totaled 25,930 in FY 2017, or 1.5 percent of the total enrollment at Texas public institutions of higher education.
Given this relatively small percentage of students who are obtaining Texas residency by these means, we do not anticipate a threat to the statute.
Establishing Texas residency for in state tuition is a state issue, not a university-specific issue. As long as everyone is benefitting, it will remain. Texas legislature only meets every other year. Changes to the existing law would have to be introduced as new legislation, voted on, and then implemented, which is not a fast process. If you are reading this you would be grandfathered into the current requirements.
What if my child doesn’t like their Texas University and wants to transfer?
In the few cases where a student has not found their Texas university a good fit, Tower Realty Austin can help to sell the property given the steady demand for off-campus housing in university areas across the state.
How long does it take to meet the Texas in state tuition requirements?
No matter the method used to establish residency in Texas, a student must show proof of domicile in Texas for a minimum of 12 months before qualifying for in state tuition rates. To take advantage of the greatest tuition savings, a student would purchase property at the beginning of their freshman year. This enables them to meet the Texas instate tuition requirements by the start of their sophomore year.
Is it possible to meet the requirements for instate tuition as a freshman?
Because of the requirement to show proof of domicile in Texas for a minimum of 12 months, it typically isn’t possible to qualify for in state tuition as an out of state student during the freshman year.
Do you help out of state students attending other Texas universities besides UT Austin?
Yes, we can help out of state students qualify for in state tuition at any public University in Texas. Although we are located in Austin and first started helping out of state students attending UT Austin, the process to qualify for instate tuition is the same no matter which Texas university you attend. If you have additional questions pertaining to a specific Texas university, we’d be happy to help.
Texas Residency Information & Resources
Use these links to find helpful information on the requirements for instate tuition in Texas.