The Wayne State University Board of Governors unanimously approved revisions to the university's requirements for in-state tuition on Friday, Sept. 20. The changes will be effective beginning in January 2014.

Under the new policy, residency no longer will be the primary means of qualifying for in-state tuition. Now, it will be one of three options.

Students now can qualify for in-state tuition by graduating from a Michigan high school (after at least three years of attendance), or obtaining a Michigan GED, and enrolling at WSU within 28 months.  Under the new guidelines, undergraduate students qualifying for in-state rates will save, on average, nearly $13,000 for 30 credits a year. 

"Wayne State remains committed to being a university of opportunity, where students from diverse backgrounds have a chance to earn a college degree in an environment of academic excellence -- a chance they might not get elsewhere," said Margaret E. Winters, WSU provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. "We believe this policy is more equitable and is the right thing to do. It removes a barrier to higher education for some students who are otherwise qualified." 

In 2011, the board extended in-state tuition status to veterans and active military personnel regardless of residence. Other students can qualify for in-state rates under the Good Neighbor Policy.

Wayne State University is a premier urban research institution offering more than 370 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to nearly 29,000 students.