<p>I think there is something stated somewhere that says if your primary purpose in moving was to pursue an education, then that does not count for residency. I know my out of state nephew paid a fortune to attend a CC in CA and was unable to get residency, even tough his (non-custodial) father lived in CA and he was born in CA. BUT, if you move to CA and just work for a year, that might work. If no residency is granted then Cal will be every bit as expensive as Columbia.</p>