Cali - Can I Get Residency?

Paying for College
1

<p>I grew up in California, but I lost my residency 4 years ago by moving to Colorado and then Montana. I'm going back to California to go to school, and I do not have residency. Since I went to high school in Cali, I do not have to pay out of state tuition do to a California state law (AB540) granting in state tuition to nonresidents who are from the state. My college has called my high school and confirmed that I qualify for in state tuition.</p>

<p>I'm still not a resident. I just pay for college as if I was. For my first few years of community college, this is fine. However, I plan to transfer to a university later on, and my understanding is that residency matters for my chances of getting accepted. My understanding is also that it is very hard to get residency if you are a full time student. Is this correct, and if so, is there a way I can establish residency in California over the next few years so that I don't have a harder time getting accepted into a university later on?</p>

2

<p>Clearly, you’ve been out of high school for a while (if you graduated h.s. in California and have been gone for four years). The question is whether you are planning to stay in California permanently - or just go to attend college and then move away again. If your plan is to stay in California, then move there, get a job, and establish yourself as a state resident. If all you want to do is go to California for four years to attend school, then you’ll have to take your chances on getting admitted to a UC as a nonresident.</p>

3

<p>I have been out of high school for four years. I graduated in California in 2009, and left moved to Colorado right after. My plan is to stay in California permanently. I’m moving in with my grandmother, and I’m trying to scrap together enough money to rent a room somewhere. I’m trying to get a job on campus at my college.</p>