Something else is going on. Either they are on an F-1 visa, paying out-of-state rates, they are illegal (doubtful these days), or...they have green cards (or even have citizenship). You can&#x27;t pay in-state tuition on a student visa. If they have green cards, they are technically immigrants (though still Chinese nationals, for sure), and are on the hook to pay taxes in the US on worldwide income. (other visas can get you resident status, but none are related to education, perhaps if they are really rich they could get investor visas...but then money would be the least of their problems).