<p>Ok so I read some posts here and there but I'm still confused so I'd be grateful if some of you guys can help me.</p>
<p>So I'm 18 years old and have an E-2 visa (for now) that is dependent on my parents'. My family and I who are all visa holders, have been living in california for 10 years. I'll be graduating from a California HS and I fully intend to get a california driver license and become a permanent resident as soon as possible. </p>
<p>But in the end I'm still a visa holder and I'm not sure if
1) I am a state resident and can pay in-state tuition
2) If I have to switch to a F-1 visa.
3) If I do switch to F-1 visa, will I have to pay out-of-state tuition even if I used to pay in-state tuition?</p>
<p>You most likely eligible for in-state tuition. However, you will not be eligible for in-state or federal financial aid.</p>
<p>Go to the web sites of the schools of interest to see what rules for California residency they have.</p>
<p>Nice Student, yes, the OP is considered a resident for tuition purposes in all likelihood. However, as noted above, the student is not eligible for state or federally funded need based aid. That being the case, he would need to be able to fully fund his college costs at the public universities in California.</p>
<p>If you are here on E-2 visa you can NOT attend ANY US colleges. Please, go to the State Department site, and read the E-2 rules.
Your parents have not paid any taxes (as E-1 holders) so you can not count on state/federal aid.
F1 visa holders are not entitled for any state or federal aid. Again, pl check the State Department site for F1 rules.</p>
<p>Please disregard the first part of my previous posts, I was thinking about F-2 visa holders.</p>
<p>As for changing to F1 - you have to leave the country to do it. F1 visa holders are considered internationals, not eligible for in-state tuition. </p>
<p>You might want to consult with your parents and an immigration lawyer to help to find the best course you should take.</p>
<p>A few pieces of information:</p>
<p>Bornemissza’s statement “Your parents have not paid any taxes (as E-1 holders)” is almost certainly not true. Legal nonimmigrants residing in the US, including holders of E-1 and other types of visas, do pay taxes. Bornemissza’s “please disregard” comment was probably intended to cover this, but I wanted to point it out clearly because so many US citizens seem to believe that non-citizens do not pay taxes. This doesn’t necessarily make OP eligible for state or federal aid, however.</p>
<p>OP will lose E-2 status at age 21.</p>