In-state tuition?

Usually its a year. If you look on the websites for the schools you’re applying to, the admissions page will have information on residency (many now have their student handbooks online, and its in there). They use things like your driver’s license and voter registration as proof of residency. Keep in mind that if the university classifies you as a dependent student where your parents live will determine your residency even if you change everything to the state where you are in school .

Almost uniformly one year. If you plan to attend a college for 4 years this could be an option. One common practice is claiming residency at a relatives house your senior year of high school. That way you can claim in-state tuition. It can save you money, however you should take into consideration what you plan to do after you graduate. You might find conflict with certifications and liscenses. In other words you might find that you will have to change your residencey. Also, laws and taxes can be very different. Not all states have a state income tax. Do some research.

Most states require you to have lived there for a couple of years. If it was only a few months requirement then everybody would move there over the summer and get the in state tuition cost.

Most states require you to be a resident for a year to qualify as a resident and for in-state tuition.

Usually you have to live there for at least a year and (this is key) live independently as a resident during that time. If your parents live in a different state, they can’t support you as a dependent.

It might be worth it if you are REALLY set on the school and are considering a gap year anyway… but it’s definitely not easy to establish residency.

Usually goes by state, but I know where I live you have to have lived in our state for over two years to be qualified for in-state

Each state determines its requirements, but generally it is from one to three years beforehand.