<p>I see that many of the merits programs (like PSAT/NMQST) and financial aid packages are based on the state of residence. My family has been living overseas for 5 years, so we are not residents of any state. Any idea how things work out for ex-patriates?</p>
<p>What state are your parents registered to vote in? Do they own any property in the US? Sometimes these will determine the "residence" of an ex-pat family. In your case (assuming that you are a US citizen), you are allowed to register to vote in the state of your last residence in the USA when you turn 18 even if you are living abroad.</p>
<p>State of last residence is your home of record. Where were you going to school before you moved? The most important thing is your citizenship in the end. Your home of record is your state residency in most cases for Financial aid purposes. PSAT/SAT records where you live now. In most cases you are better off to apply to private schools unless your parents have actual residency in a particular state i.e. work for the government.</p>
<p>I think that the PSAT determines your pool by the location where the test is taken; if you take it overseas you are in the international pool. I am not certain of this, but I think so based on info I heard many years ago</p>
<p>Somemom, one of my kids almost took the PSAT out of state because of a family commitment. Clearly, our residency would not have been in that state.</p>
<p>I thought it was State of residence not where you take it. For instance I thought I read on CC (a while ago admittedly)that a student in boarding school is up against the Students in his State of residence rather than the State of the school. Would not swear to it though.</p>
<p>Well, our last residence, as well as last school was in Connecticut, not the best state for NMQST pool :). Nobody in the family voted since our move, so I am not sure if we are residents there for voting and/or financial aid. We are not resident for tax purposes, but we own property there.</p>
<p>I'm no expert, but my friend has been an ex pat for 4 years (2 in Canada & 2 in China). Her son is getting the Georgia Hope scholarship. She tells me that a student's residency is the last state in which the family lived before becoming an ex pat.</p>
<p>This really varies depending on the school - some are more strict than others. Sometimes if your parents work for a company that is based in the state and you have lived there in the past then this can count as "in state"
If you took the PSAT in an overseas school then you are part of the international pool - which is pretty competitive.</p>