<p>I'll be 24 in my freshman year, that will make me an independent student, right?
Does that mean that I can become an in-state resident after completing one year of college?
I tried to research it but I can't seem to find a clear answer.
I'm so stressed out about it cause I can't afford all 4 years out-of-state tuition.
Thanks!</p>
<p>The college should have on its website what they require for instate tuition. Being 24 it is likely that you are a resident if you’ve lived there a year, but they probably want proof of drivers license, car registration, where you’ve voted, proof you rented or owned a home in that state. It depends on the state.</p>
<p>Usually you have to show that your primary purpose for being there is not for attending school. You may want to consider living and working there for a year before starting school.</p>
<p>It depends on the school. Poke around the school’s website to find the rules. If you applied as an out-of-state student, you would have to appeal the residency classification and it is not a sure thing. Schools may want you to prove you are self-supporting and planning to stay in the state indefinitely. if you are successful, though, being instate may also give you access to state grants or scholarships.</p>
<p>Generally, no.</p>
<p>Living in a state to attend college rarely is counted as part of residency. You would have had to live there one year (or two) not attending school to be a resident.</p>
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<p>What school(s)?</p>
<p>Most schools have very strict rules about this to prevent students from attempting to claim residency in order to pay instate tuition.</p>
<p>I think a lot of that gets different when you are twenty-four.</p>
<p>If you are paying taxes in a state and you are twenty-four, I’m not sure they can label you out of state. If you vote in a state and pay taxes in a state and have your primary residence in a state? I think you are a resident at that age.</p>
<p>But, don’t take my word for it. Call the school and ask.</p>
<p>Daphne, residency for paying in state tuition is determined by the school. You need to read what the rules are for that school, and if they are all written for those with dependent status, you may need to call the school and find out what you need to do exactly to have no issues with the situation. As Poetgrl says, I think, things are a bit easier when you are independent. The way it seems to go is that you often have to be there for a year, but that is what I have seen for parents of dependent kids. For instance, if my child were at UMichigan, he would not get instate tuition there, until I have lived there a year and have gone through the steps that the school requires for getting that residency. But that is one state, and we are just an internet board. A school can require what it wants to in this area.</p>
<p>Also, what they require and what they enforce are often two whole other things.</p>
<p>I have been researching this as well and it depends. Technically, you are not a resident if you live in the dorms/residence halls, but once you own or rent a residence off campus, then it the requirements to become a resident vary by state and school</p>
<p>Here are the rules for Wisconsin:</p>
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<p>In general, it is much easier to establish residency going in than to change it while you are in.</p>
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<p>That is for FAFSA purposes. Whether you are “independent” for tuition purposes is up to the school. If your parents still support you (or you live at home), it is going to be very tough.</p>
<p>Just adding to this… I know someone who attended an out-of-state public university and ended up moving off campus and staying there. He successfully changed his status from out-of-state to instate but not before the school had him and his mom show bank account statements to prove he was completely self-supporting. So if the rules say you have to be self-supporting, be ready to prove it.</p>
<p>If you get a job in the new state, even if it is sweeping floors or making burgers, you will likely be able to say that you moved to the state for employment reasons. However, this is true only if you are truly financially independent (as others have posted here).</p>
<p>If you join that states national guard do you then qualify for in-state? Wondering for my oldest daughter.</p>