California Residency?

[tranthol]

Ok, so this post is about Residency in California, not really about colleges.

I currently live in PA and want to move to California to live there and will go to CC there. Please don’t tell me that it’ll be “wiser” to stay here and go after I graduate. I’ve already made up my mind for personal reasons.

My main question is what can I do to establish residency? If I work and pay for everything, like apartment rent, college tuition, insurance etc, will that make me eligible? I’ve read that getting a CA driver’s license can help prove my intent to stay but then I only can get a CA license if I already established residency? I’m pretty confused about the process.

Can anyone provide a list of objectives that I can work toward that’ll get me residency? Thanks!

[AboutTheSame]

You need to move, do all those things, and live in California for a year BEFORE applying. The residency requirements for getting a driver’s license are not as strict or detailed as what it takes to be a resident for state tuition purposes. If you say you’re a new resident and give up your old license, DMV will be happy to take your money and give you the tests.

[arc918]

Check out the 5 page sticky thread at the top of this forum. Everything you could want to know about CA residency. Good luck!

[aunt_bea]

http://www.ucop.edu/residency/establishing-residency.html

Apparently you didn’t open the link when you asked in your other post.

If you are under 24 and your parents are non-residents, it will be really hard to establish residency. No, not just hard, “difficult”

Financial independence
Nonresident undergraduates
This requirement makes it extremely difficult for most undergraduates who are not financially dependent on a California-resident parent to qualify for classification as a California resident.

If you’re an unmarried undergraduate under the age of 24 and your parent(s) are not California residents, you must be able to document (for example, using tax returns, W-2 forms, bank statements) that you have been totally self-sufficient for two full years prior to the residence determination date . . . .This also means you can’t have been claimed as an income tax dependent by any individual or have accepted gifts (cash or other support) that contributed to your subsistence for two tax years immediately preceding the term.

I don’t think you realize how expensive it is to live in California, with no help from parents or family (not allowed by California residency requirements).

Having an OOS transcript will guarantee OOS scrutiny. Everything has to be documented. How will you work to pay for the expensive California rentals? Utilities and transportation?
If you are non-degree’d you will have it rough trying to find a job (with sufficient hours) that will make your at “market-rate” rent. If you try to get a discounted rate on your rent, it will count against you for residency.

Forgot to add that CSULB is impacted. They take students from their specific local high schools first. Then local CC’s. Fullerton is “full” and impacted. The privates like Chapman and LMU are not impacted but their cost will set you back. Living in California is almost the same costs per year as attending the CC’s as an OOS. Figure a minimum of $2000 per month in expenses to live in California.