<p>I submitted an application in LA Harbor College and i was classified as a non-resident student since i just moved here last July (2013). I submitted a petition for a residency status and they denied me even though I already got my green card. (I submitted a copy to them). I already registered for classes and now I have to pay $200+ per unit. I know we can't afford it so I don't know what to do. Should i withdraw from LAHC and try to apply at other colleges and see if they will classify me as a resident? Please help. Thanks.</p>
<p>California residency requirements are strict. The schools know that people try to get around the rule especially in our state. You can’t just live here for a minimum of a year and assume that you are automatically a “California” resident. Specifically, if you came to California for educational purposes, you are considered a non-resident. Green card only means you are allowed to stay in this country. It doesn’t have anything to do with your in-state status for educational residency purposes. </p>
<p>The LA Harbor CC rules state “a student is required to have been a California resident for more than one year preceding the residency determination date.” The determination date is one day before the semester that you wish to attend begins so that means it’s usually two years. <a href=“http://www.lahc.edu/catalog.pdf”>http://www.lahc.edu/catalog.pdf</a></p>
<p>So, for example, if you had wanted to attend fall of 2014 and the starting date was August 25, then residency status for you starts on August 24 2014. If you applied to LA Harbor in June 2014, you had only been in the state for 10 months and that usually isn’t enough time for you to work and pay sufficient taxes. The timeline determination date began on August 24, 2014 and you have to start your work dates as of August 2013 and then wait until August 2015 to actually qualify to apply as a resident. </p>
<p>Two methods to establish residency:
1.) Your parent resides with you in this state.</p>
<p>2.) Independent status-over 24, working and paying resident taxes, married, or the parent of a dependent. </p>
<p>This is consistent throughout the state, so trying at other community colleges is going to be the same.</p>
<p>Sorry for the confusion. To attend fall of 2015, determination date is 8-24-14 with work beginning one year prior so that would be 8-24-13</p>
<p>@"aunt bea" You said that to establish residency, my parents has to reside with me in the state. What if my dad is already a citizen? 
Thank you for answering by the way</p>
<p>You still need a parent that resides in the state.</p>
<p>As intparent states; he has to RESIDE in California and pay taxes. Being a citizen and being a resident are two different things. Your father could be a citizen in any state of the US. If he is a “RESIDENT” of California, then it means he is paying California taxes. If he does not live in California with you, he is not a resident and neither are you. Look at LA Harbor College’s web page again. <a href=“http://www.lahc.edu/catalog.pdf”>http://www.lahc.edu/catalog.pdf</a></p>
<p>yes, my dad resides with me here in california and is paying taxes here too. </p>
<p>should i submit papers regarding my dad’s residency too? thanks.</p>
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<p>I don’t understand where the 2 years comes from? One year prior to the determination date means one year plus one day prior to the start of the semester.</p>
<p>If both you and your father reside in California and have resided over a year, why are you being charged out of state tuition?</p>
<p>That is actually what i don’t understand because I submitted my permanent resident card and they based the residence date from there. However, i did not submit any papers pertaining to my dad. So that is probably one of the reasons i am considered a non-resident?</p>
<p>I don’t understand why they had to use a permanent residency card. Usually they go according to your Californai Drivers License and your address in California. Then if they need further residency proof, they might ask for utility bills and your voter registration card. If your father has paid his taxes for 2013, a copy of his 1040 might be helpful.</p>