Out-of-state tuition for Penn State is estimated to be more than double what in -state students pay; not including extra expenses.

And despite living in Pennsylvania for over a year, Rachel Higgins said she’s been denied the financial break.

It’s time for back to school, and while some students are moving into the dorms with mom and dad by their side, Higgins is starting her junior  year on her own.

“I mean I didn’t plan on this at all, both of my parents died. I really didn’t think I’d be on my own,” Higgins said.

Her dad passed away in 2012 after fighting cancer 4 times.

And her mom faced cancer 3 times, before it took her life last year.

Afterwards, Higgins was forced to move from her home state of New Jersey to Pennsylvania with a cousin.

She said she looked for guidance from Penn State to earn in-state tuition.

“One of the ladies had told me that there’s nothing to worry about. It’s a special case as long as I gave all the right paperwork I would be fine,” Higgins said.

 A meeting she thought was reassuring.

“I was like wow they’re actually going to help me out and this is going to be really easy and it turned out not to be,” Higigns said.

Her request was denied in May.

She appealed that decision, which was then denied in August.

The letter said by default she’s considered independent, and living with her cousin doesn’t qualify, regardless of how long it’s been.

WTAJ reached out to the University, which denied an on camera interview but gave a written statement: 

One option: do not attend any school for a year and re-apply.

But Higgins said loans don’t allow for that kind of break.

“I need the degree to pay the loan payments but they want me to take the time off to get the cheaper tuition. So I don’t really know how they expect me to do that,” Higgins said.

Higgins said people are reaching out to help, but these costs will be back again next semester and for her senior year.

And she’s hoping Penn State will step up and help her find a solution.