US K-12 & College In-State Tuition Checker
Verify your legal rights to free K-12 public schooling and evaluate if H-4 dependents qualify for local in-state college tuition.
Under the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case Plyler v. Doe, public school districts are constitutionally prohibited from denying any child a free K-12 education based on their immigration status (including H-4, F-2, and undocumented children). All minor children residing in the school district are legally entitled to attend K-12 public schools for free.
H-4 In-State Tuition Checker
State Tuition Exemption Checklist
If you qualify for an in-state tuition exemption (such as AB 540 in California), you must submit these files to your college residency department:
- Nonresident Tuition Exemption AffidavitA signed state form declaring that you meet the high school requirements and will apply for a green card as soon as eligible.
- Official High School TranscriptsMust show 3+ years of attendance at a high school located in the state.
- Official High School Diploma / GEDProof of graduation from a state-accredited high school.
- Parent's Form I-797 (H-1B Approval Notice)Original paper document demonstrating the parent maintains legal H-1B status.
- Student's Form I-94 (Arrival Record)To verify the student maintains a valid, unexpired H-4 dependent status.
State Tuition Laws
| State | Exemption |
|---|---|
| California | AB 540 |
| New Jersey | Tuition Act |
| Texas | HB 1403 |
| New York | S1241 |
| Washington | HB 1079 |
H-4 "Aging Out" Risk
At age 21, H-4 dependents lose their status. They must convert to F-1 student visas, at which point they lose in-state residency status in many states and are charged full international fees. Early GC application (I-140) filing is crucial.