Hello, I am a Virginia resident who has lived here since last fall. I was born and raised in Florida and qualify for FAS. My dad lives in San Diego-he is military and he got orders there two years ago. Before that he was stationed in Florida for 15 years. He still has not changed his residency. He has a Florida Drivers License (as do I), Florida Vehicle Registration, Florida Voting Registration (like me), and is paying a mortgage in Jacksonville, Florida. Bright Futures has a subsection for students who are out of state to receive the scholarship if they have a parent who is:
A) Active Military
B ) A Florida Resident
I was of course very excited to hear this, as this is full tuition at most schools in Florida. However, there was a stipulation that you MUST live with the active duty parent in question. My parents are separated, and I live (and go to school, so my diploma will say) Virginia. I only live with my dad in the summer and winter.
To clarify-I DO live with him, but only part-time in the summer and Christmas and Thanksgiving and Spring Break and all that. Because my highschool diploma will say Virginia, which is a different state than his LES will say (San Diego) will that keep me from qualifying for Bright Futures? I have tried calling them a few times and have been unable to get ahold of them. This is obviously a very important topic for me as neither I nor my family can really afford to pay for the full cost of university.
Does your father take you as a dependent (or do your parents still file taxes together)? This might be important.
BF office is usually very responsive. Call again. Call early in the morning.
As a Virginia resident since last fall, you should check the Virginia requirements for drivers licenses and voter registrations. I think it’s unlikely that the Commonwealth of Virginia would be ok with you, a Virginia resident for nearly a year, retaining a Florida drivers license and voter registration. Your father as active military does not need to change his legal residency every time he gets orders.
@twoinanddone No he doesn’t, but he and my mom talked and agreed he could this year if it could affect my ability to get BF.