The Foreign Service Journal, June 2022

92 JUNE 2022 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT A NOTE FOR THOSE LIVING IN VIRGINIA Foreign Service members residing in Virginia currently benefit from special consideration in granting in-state tuition. If they have lived in Virginia for at least 90 days immedi- ately prior to transferring overseas, their dependents qualify for in-state tuition while the parent is serving abroad. This eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis by each financial aid office. If AFSA members encounter problems, email mem- ber@afsa.org asking AFSA to contact the college. You can prove domicile to that state through a variety of actions. The new provision does not take effect until the first period of college enrollment that begins after July 1, 2024, because some state legislatures only meet every two years and may need to amend state law for compliance. As 2024 nears, Foreign Service fami- lies interested in qualifying for in-state tuition should review their proofs of domicile and take steps to strengthen them where possible. States have long implemented the military provision, so they should have no difficulty in applying the same law to the Foreign Service. AFSA will contact colleges and state educational authori- ties that in the past have denied in-state tuition to our members to make sure they are aware of the new law. If AFSA members with clear evidence of continuing domicile do encounter problems after July 1, 2024, please inform AFSA so we can contact the college and, if necessary, potentially assist the mem- ber in filing a lawsuit in federal court to compel adherence to the law. n