<p>Hi everyone, I'm new to this site and would appreciate some input on my situation. I am a college student studying in Hawaii at a community college to get my G.Es out of the way. I would like to transfer to a 4 year University in California after completing two years of college here in my home state. As mostly everyone knows, Hawaii is a very small state and there are very few colleges here--only one offers my major. Although I understand that staying in my home state throughout college years would be the most financially efficient option, California would have much more colleges for me to choose from, and in general, the state would offer more opportunities for me compared to Hawaii. </p>
<p>I know how much attending a University in California as an out-of-state student would cost and it would not be easy for my family and I to pay for those costs. I have thought of applying to private universities such as USC to avoid the OOS tuition. Living in California for two years to obtain residency is also an option. If anyone has other options to share, or thoughts and suggestions, please post them. I would also appreciate hearing from someone who has been through the same position as me.</p>
<p>Bump… anyone got any advice for me? It’s hard to get the right advice from my college counselors as none of them are really knowledgeable about transferring.</p>
<p>Should I stay here for another year to finish my GE, and then attend a University in California or move out right away and attend CC there first while completing my residency status to save money for University?</p>
<p>Happymom was probably just saying that CA public tuition is really high and you could find many other schools in different states that are way more affordable. </p>
<p>If you’re determined to only go to school in California, have you looked at the Claremont colleges? </p>
<p>And where does this family live (generally)? Only important of you’re going to try to commute to school. </p>
<p>I’ve no idea what your test scores/grades are like so it’s hard to give college suggestions.</p>
<p>I’m not really looking for schools to apply to at this point. I would just like to know which would be more efficient and practical; to stay in my home state and finish my GE and then transfer to California schools and pay for OOS tuition, or move to California immediately and continue my GE courses at a CC and gain residency status before transferring to a university.</p>
<p>I’m a CA resident and I know that some schools offer the WUE…western undergraduate exchange…if you qualify you can use it at some schools in Cali, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Arizona, and I think the Dakotas. But most of the schools don’t offer it for transfers, and if they do you have to have around a 3.5 GPA</p>
<p>Read up more on California residency for in-state tuition because many threads on CC have shown that it is not a sure thing.</p>
<p>Try this thread from CC, about half way down is a very detailed explanation with links, etc. From what I can tell, your plan is a bust from the get-go because your parents don’t live in CA with you and even taking a year to work in CA, it is obvious to any official who reads your paperwork (they’re not dumb) that you moved for the primary purpose of obtaining in-state tuition which then disqualifies you.</p>
<p>Is each University different when it comes to establishing residency for tuition purposes? I noticed that the SFSU requirements vary slightly different from others in that it does not require a student to be financially independent or am I missing something here?</p>
<p>California Residency</p>
<p>California residents pay significantly lower tuition and mandatory fees than non-residents at California’s public colleges and universities.</p>
<p>I think SFSU’s site is saying for example, if you want to apply for the Spring 2013 semester, you have to be in CA for a year by January 25th. Meaning you would of had to be living in CA from Jan 25th, 2012-Jan 25th, 2013. I’m pretty sure you have to be in most states including CA for a year.</p>
<p>You may also consider just paying in state tuition for a year if you can afford that because you would be in CA for a year if you moved here the summer before your fall semester. Then applying for state residency for the following year</p>
<p>I actually have no problem with staying in California for a year to get instate tuition. I would be also willing to pay the instate tuition for a year if it comes to that. The only hard part is that I would need to be financially on my own as financial independence is a requirement for residency consideration. I would be under 24 when I move to California for college. As I’ve read in this forum many times, it’s almost impossible to be under 24 and independent and qualify for California instate residency. Hence, why I am asking if anyone here has been in my situation or could give me advice on what to do.</p>