<pre><code>I know that variances on my question have been asked here before so I really appreciate any of your thoughts. I have spent a lot of time reading up on the residency requirements for California and I have a couple of questions. My plan for a long time has been to move to CA, work for a year, spend two years at a community college with a TAP program for UCLA and then, in my sophomore year at community college, transfer to UCLA. I understand that I will need to be financially independent, have bank accounts in CA, a CA driver's license, not go home, receive no money from my parents, not be declared on their income taxes for multiple years, file CA state income taxes, provide a detailed budget of my expenses, work my tail off ect,etc. I have a couple of questions:
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<p>Can I count a year where I take courses at my community college as a year towards the residency requirement for my community college? I am thinking about trying to take a few classes, as a non-resident, the first year I'm working in California. </p>
<p>Can years that I was in community college count towards UCLA's residency requirements assuming I meet all other criteria? I have found the language on this to be a little ambiguous. </p>
<p>If I am deemed a resident by my community college and am meeting all of UCLA's residency requirements will I be treated like a resident for financial aid purposes or will I have to go through the process again? I didn't think so since I would apply as a resident, but UCLA is much stricter and I want to be sure. I know that I will need to continue upholding the residency standards while I'm at UCLA.</p>
<pre><code> Also, as a financially independent student according to residency standards, but not according to the FAFSA, my financial aid will be based on my (out of state) parent's income. I will not be able to meet that level of contribution on my own. My parents would be willing to help, but would accepting money from them mean I was not financially independent and thus not a resident of CA? It seems to me it would, but I haven't been able to find any info about this on UCLA's website. I'm sorry if this is confusing, or if it's been asked before (I searched through 7 pages of threads discussing residency issues, but I probably missed some stuff) but I am very committed to establishing residency, and keeping it, the right way. Thanks a bunch.
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<p>First off, I would suggest asking UCLA residency people about taking community college classes as you establish residency. It may be that taking only 1-2 classes at a time could work. If you email them you should get an answer in writing which you can print and save.</p>
<p>Your last point is very true, BUT I think if you move and are independent and do all that you need to do to become a resident it you get into UCLA as a resident, it may be that your parents are allowed to help you then. Because once you are a bonifide resident no one asks those details again.</p>
<p>So, if you can do it on your own for that time at the CC you could then get help for the more expensive school.</p>
<p>Thanks for the thought, that makes sense. Good point about printing stuff out, I'm beginning a folder for all of my correspondence with my community college and UCLA so that I'm prepared.</p>
<p>Also, I have found calling and asking for some one to answer a complicated question gets you past the students and back to the old timers. I moved from CA while my D was still a student there and I spoke to the residency dept on several ocassions before making the decision and made sure we knew how to follow all the rules.</p>
<p>I'll keep that in mind. How did you document those conversations? Did you just write down who talked to, time date, etc.? Thanks for your the info, I really appreciate it.</p>
<p>Here's a question for you: What if the parent/parents moved to the new state while the student was attending the OOS school. Rented an apt, started working there, etc. How long would it be before the student became a state resident? This is supposing the student is an OOS student for a year or so already.</p>
<p>For CA residency, check out some of the CSUs as well as CCs. I personally know 2 kids who got CA residency, one while attending a CSU and the other started in her home state, did a National Student Exchange her sophomore year, dropped out for a year to establish residency and then applied to the same CSU she went to sophomore year and finished up. Know this second plan won't work for your UCLA idea but the first might. You will have to check individual CSUs for their requirements. Many have pages linking to establishing residency.</p>
<p>I would usually talk to an old timer over the phone, then ask for their email address, email them a confirmation of my understanding- as much to make sure I understood it as to have prrof, then print and save their reply</p>
<p>I might also add that you may want to frame your question to reflect that you will move to CA/have moved to CA regardless of your educational plans.</p>
<p>Residency reqs discourage moving to a state for the purpose of obtaining an education there.</p>
<p>and no, you can't accept money from your parents and you do have to document an adequate (enough to live on) amount of salaries paid to you.</p>