How long after marrying can I enroll at university

[missyouhoney 1]

I mean, I´m entering The USA under the K1. Once we get married we´ll start the change of status. Do I have to wait til I receive the Green Card in order to enroll at university? Or once we´ve applied, Can I enroll?

[juliava 80]

Better wait until you get your GC and you will get cheaper rates and more flexible payment plans.

Also, it's good to read in advance about admission requirements.

[SophWeb 25]

I mean, I´m entering The USA under the K1. Once we get married we´ll start the change of status. Do I have to wait til I receive the Green Card in order to enroll at university? Or once we´ve applied, Can I enroll?

Each state is different, but you should be able to enroll immediately. I enrolled in College and I did not have my Green Card yet. Unfortunately you cannot apply for Federal Student Loans until you have your greencard.

The only issue you may run into is what tuition you'll end up paying - depending on the College, you may not qualify for in-state or out-of-state tuition until you can establish your permanent residency (get your greencard).

Just inquire with the College you want to enroll in and they should be able to help you out with more information in terms of fees. But yes, you should be able to enroll immediately.

[TheFantastics09 19]

I mean, I´m entering The USA under the K1. Once we get married we´ll start the change of status. Do I have to wait til I receive the Green Card in order to enroll at university? Or once we´ve applied, Can I enroll?

I think it all depends on the institution. I found that most of them need you to have a green card to enroll in their programs. If you are considering going the financial aid route, you will most definitely need your GC.

And like an above poster stated, the longer you wait, the better rates you will be eligible for.

Edited March 25, 2011 by TheFantastics09

[RICARDO4EVA2 194]

I mean, I´m entering The USA under the K1. Once we get married we´ll start the change of status. Do I have to wait til I receive the Green Card in order to enroll at university? Or once we´ve applied, Can I enroll?

varies... so check with the school you are interested in ... some will grant the "cheaper rates" mentioned above which is known as "in-state fees." You have ties to the state so it may be easy for you.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,235]

Education is a state, not a federal issue, so the requirements vary a bit, but not much.

For tuition purposes, an international student is the same like a student from the state next door. That means you would have to pay several times as much what a student has to pay who is a resident of the state. For this purposes, most schools require residency of at least 1 year. So once you enter the US, you would count that as the start of your residency, independent of the Green Card. You would prove that with a rental contract, utility bills, and such things. If you have really bad luck, they will want to see either your Green Card or state-issued driver license, so in that case your residency would start once you have your Green Card. After that, wait 1 more year, or expect to pay big money for school.

[del-11-03-2013 1]

I think it depends on your choice of university. I have to wait for my resident card to enroll college and since my green card dated July 2010 and I started college in January 2011, I have to pay international student/Non-California fee. If I want to pay California resident fee, I have to start college in July 2011 which is no-no to me. I'm not that patient

I mean, I´m entering The USA under the K1. Once we get married we´ll start the change of status. Do I have to wait til I receive the Green Card in order to enroll at university? Or once we´ve applied, Can I enroll?