This doesn't make any sense. Better would be that the free tuition would be available if you or your parents have been residents for a certain amount of time.  The tuition would increase as your years of residency decrease.  For example: Residents for 10 years or greater, get free tuition.  9 years, 9/10 and so on.  It seems ridiculous to penalize someone at the end when they are seeking employment.  Can you imagine the bureaucracy necessary to track this down.