Regional tuition exchanges are a great tool for kids who want to go out of state but don’t want to pay out-of-state tuition. These programs allow students from neighboring states to attend one another’s colleges for (typically) a slight premium over in-state tuition but well below full out-of-state cost. Each of these programs has its own rules and processes, so you’ll need to find out what region you’re in and what schools participate in the reciprocity program. Some of the bigger ones include:

• Western Undergraduate Exchange

• Midwest Student Exchange

• The Southern Regional Education Board’s Academic Common Market

• The New England Regional Student Program

• DC Tuition Assistance Grant

Choices may be limited to degree programs not offered in-state, or there may be limits on numbers of students that will be accepted to a specific school or major, so be sure to check the fine print. And make sure you understand the application process for these programs; just applying to the school you’re interested in may not be enough, and you may need to reapply to the program each year.

There are many other such programs out there so if you have found what you think is your dream school, ask whether they are part of any reciprocity program.