<p>I've lived in Florida since August of 2011, though my parents have supported me financially the entire time. I graduated from HS in Florida, and took a couple classes at a community college here. My parents live in Hawaii. In Florida I am considered a dependent because I am 19, even though my parents do not claim me on their taxes as a dependent. Simply for the fact that I'm considered dependent and my parents live in Hawaii, the state of Florida would consider me a resident of Hawaii. However, the state of Hawaii classifies residency differently, because if you are over the age of 19 you are considered independent. So Florida considers me a Hawaii resident, and Hawaii considers me a Florida resident.
My situation is also complicated, because I did not move back to Florida solely on the intentions of going to college there. I moved to Florida because I grew up there, and it feels more home to me than Hawaii. If I didn't feel I was entitled to in-state tuition, I wouldn't have much of a problem accepting it. I understand that in-state tuition goes to students who has, or family has, contributed to the state in terms of taxes. But my parents own two properties in Florida: the house I grew up in, and an apartment they bought for my brother when he moved to a different city for college (which he attended in-state). Also, they've had a vehicle registered in the state of Florida, under their name, for the past 10 years. We lived in Florida while my father was stationed there in the military, which was the majority of my childhood. </p>
<p>If I don't receive in-state tuition in either state, my father is considering hiring a lawyer to fight for it. Considering he's upset he's paid so much in Hawaii income taxes, and Florida property taxes, to have a child that cannot receive in-state tuition in either state.</p>