Cali residency for affordable education. Older, financially independent student.

Paying for College
1

<p>So I am a 31 year old who is thinking of picking up higher education where he left off... sorta. I completed 2 years at Northwestern University some 8 years ago. I left university for various reasons, and I left in good standing. I have been working, saving, and travelling since leaving university, spending most of my time outside the US. </p>

<p>I am now thinking about returning to higher education, and do not want to attend NU again (Unfortunately, I really did hate it there), nor does attending NU make much financial sense in my particular situation.</p>

<p>This very post is my FIRST look at returning to school in 8 years, and I'm trying to reasonably assess my options. </p>

<p>To be frank: I'm thinking of obtaining California residency for the express purpose of getting affordable yet excellent education at one of the UC schools. Obviously, this is exactly what the state doesn't want you to do (I think), as these schools are subsidized by local taxes. The requirements for residency are fairly onerous, but I think I may be able to fit the bill in 366 days. </p>

<p>This "California Plan" was born out of recent information that my aunt has a house in Newport Beach, and would gladly rent me a room on the very cheap. That's dumb luck for you. So, I imagine I could move to California for a year, transfer my life there (things, assets, etc), get a job (or not), pay some local taxes/ utilities, and, in 366 days, apply for transfer to UC Irvine. If accepted, I'd be out of there having spent - over 2 or, more likely 3 years - somewhere in the neighborhood of $45,000-$65,000. Because of cost of living and tuition differences, NU would set me back more than twice that amount. Added into the analysis is that fact that I don't really like NU, Evanston, and winter. I love Newport Beach, the ocean, and California in general. Also, I am getting a degree for the sake of a education. I'll probably pick up a degree in philosophy. This isn't a career move. </p>

<ul>
<li><p>Is this plan worth investigating further?</p></li>
<li><p>How do I increase my chances of being considered a valid resident; and not "there for educational purposes", which is what I would be. </p></li>
<li><p>Any options I'm not seeing/ general advice. </p></li>
</ul>

<p>I'm happy to answer any questions that may arise. If you'd like to talk me out of this plan entirely on moral or ethical grounds, I invite you to do so. However, please form a polite, cogent argument. You may well talk me out of it. I'm not married to this plan, I simply want a challenging yet affordable higher education and, if I am to live in the US, the west coast is where'd I like to live. </p>

<p>Many thanks. </p>

2

<p>Seems doable if you dot your Is and cross your Ts. Here’s the detailed residency info for UCI:</p>

<p><a href=“UCI University Registrar - Residency”>http://www.reg.uci.edu/navigation/residency.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>The 366 days must be prior to the residency determination date. I didn’t read enough to know where that date falls in relation to the school year so read carefully. I guess I would choose to work during that year both for the money and to help in establishing residency. Do you have the $45k to $60k without working?</p>

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<p>“To be frank: I’m thinking of obtaining California residency for the express purpose of getting affordable yet excellent education at one of the UC schools.”</p>

<p>“How do I increase my chances of being considered a valid resident; and not “there for educational purposes”, which is what I would be.”</p>

<p>" If you’d like to talk me out of this plan entirely on moral or ethical grounds, I invite you to do so. However, please form a polite, cogent argument."</p>

<p>Who needs to argue? You’ve made your own case that you are trying to prove to the colleges that you are exactly what you are claiming not to be. You know that you are following the letter, not the spirit of the expectations of the state schools. </p>

<p>That being said, actually taking a job would “prove” (in your case, imply) that you are not moving to California solely for the purpose of obtaining resident status for the purpose of an education and alleviate any guilt that you might feel for sponging off the good tax payers of California.</p>

<p>As annoying dad points out, you have to prove that you are self-supporting and can pay tuition (even at the state resident rate). And the 366 days needs to be carefully planned so that you are there a year before actually filing an application for admissions.</p>

4

<p>Make sure you document everything - written rent agreement, utilities (if not in your name), register your car and change your license ASAP, get a job, register to vote. Everything. And don’t go traveling around the world and just use your aunt’s address. BE present in California.</p>

5

<p>Even if you get residency, how will you pay the $30k per year for a UC? Will you be commuting to UCI from your aunt’s home? IF you don’t commute to UCI, I don’t see how this would be affordable.</p>

<p>Will you be working while going to college?</p>

6

<p>Wow. So many great responses so quickly, thanks. </p>

<p>“Seems doable if you dot your Is and cross your Ts. Here’s the detailed residency info for UCI:” </p>

<p>Yeah, that was my interpretation of everything. I have the money all saved up, but I’m self employed and didn’t claim any earned income the past three tax years, as I was travelling. Does anyone know if this will be an issue? Obviously I filed my returns each year, but didn’t owe much/ anything the past few years. I’ve got an HSA, IRA’s, and a little other stuff. I’ve been financially independence for a long time, I just hope I can effectively prove it, which seems kind of weird. </p>

<p>“Even if you get residency, how will you pay the $30k”</p>

<p>From here ( <a href=“UCI University Registrar - Undergraduate Student Fees 2014-15”>http://www.reg.uci.edu/fees/2014-2015/undergrad.html&lt;/a&gt; ) I see that UCI’s resident tuition is ~$15K annually. I hope I’m not missing something here. Of course there will be other expenses - cost of living, books, etc - but I can live simply if need be; add in the fact that my aunt recently told me I could essentially live in her place rent free, and this whole plan got rolling. I may be able to get away with $30k out of pocket per year for all living expenses, and I can just make that work for 3 years running, and that’s assuming I don’t work, which I almost certainly would. </p>

<p>“Who needs to argue? You’ve made your own case that you are trying to prove to the colleges that you are exactly what you are claiming not to be. You know that you are following the letter, not the spirit of the expectations of the state schools.” </p>

<p>All true, but is it wrong? And if so, is it so wrong that I should abandon these particular plans. Do any potential long term benefits outweigh the upfront loss to the State (ie, I game the system, go to UCI, graduate, and X% of the time I become a lifetime tax payer). Blah, blah, blah. I’ll be the first to admit that I do indeed think its wrong, but probably no so wrong that I should abandon these plans. However, I’m open to convincing arguments. I’ve currently got a lot of time on my hands :-/. </p>

<p>Many thanks for all the replys. </p>

7

<p><<<
From here ( <a href=“UCI University Registrar - Undergraduate Student Fees 2014-15”>http://www.reg.uci.edu/fees/2014-2015/undergrad.html&lt;/a&gt; ) I see that UCI’s resident tuition is ~$15K annually. I hope I’m not missing something here. Of course there will be other expenses - cost of living, books, etc - but I can live simply if need be; add in the fact that my aunt recently told me I could essentially live in her place rent free, and this whole plan got rolling. I may be able to get away with $30k out of pocket per year for all living expenses, and I can just make that work for 3 years running, and that’s assuming I don’t work, which I almost certainly would.</p>

<p><<<</p>

<p>If you can commute from your aunt’s to UCI, then “all in” (including car costs, health insurance, etc), the costs will probably be about $30k…where will that money come from?</p>

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<p>Yeah, about 30K per-year accounting for everything is what I expect. Maybe a little more. I’ve got all that saved up in accounts I can draw on. </p>

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<p>Irvine is next to Newport Beach. An easy commute.</p>

10

<p>You have $60k saved? Good for you.</p>

<p>It may be easier for you to get into UCI if you go to a CC first. There may be some classes you need to take.</p>

<p>Yes, UCI is very close to Newport Beach</p>

11

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<p>I don’t think it’s wrong, I don’t think it’s even gaming the system. They set the rules and you would be following them. I think you are right that they set them that way hoping a certain percentage will become future residents. But there are always traditional in-state students who will move away after college too. Not that it matters, but do you plan to stay in CA? The state could have set very draconian rules for non-traditional students to increase the percentage staying in CA afterward, maybe 5 years residency for example, but have chosen not to for reasons they feel are sound…</p>

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<p>The UC’s are very picky about coursework taken at OOS universities. You may have to backtrack a little at the CC’s and pay full fees there as well. </p>

13

<p>You may want to check if you can use your credits from Northwestern. Obviously the caliber is not the question, but there may be a limit to how long a gap can occur and still apply credit from courses taken. I know you are at the beginning of your plan, and you are planning for as much as three years as a Bison, but that may be your next step- align your courses and make sure there is no “statute of limitations” (7 years? 10 years? let’s hope it’s longer!) before they age out.</p>

<p>As a Philosophy major, you could put in your statement of purpose that the reason you are applying is to better understand the ethics of gaming the California Residency rules through the study of philosophy. Wouldn’t that be compelling? ;)</p>

14

<p>He should establish residency and fill any holes at a local CC (instate rates) and then transfer to UCI. </p>

15

<p>I think you need at least 60 quarter units of credit to transfer into UC Irvine. And, not all transfer applications are accepted. You might need to consider one of the nearby Cal State campuses as an alternative.</p>

<p>I don’t see anything wrong morally with your plan. The rules could have been written to say that – no matter how old you are – your residency is based on your parent’s state of legal residency, but they weren’t. You’re an adult, you’re going to live, work, and pay taxes in California, and attending school at in-state rates after you meet the residency requirements is perfectly legit. I don’t see anything shady about it.</p>