Gap year to gain CA residency

I have a hypothetical question. I’m a senior in high school. I have divorced parents. I currently live with my mom in Texas and will graduate from HS here. My dad lives (and works, rents a house, and pays taxes etc.) in California. If I took a gap year and lived with my dad in CA starting this summer, would I be considered a resident for tuition purposes for applications next year, particularly at UCs/CSUs?

Disclaimers: I’m not trying to cheat the system or find any loophole, I’m just curious. I realize that I’ll never be eligible for any Cal Grants or other CA high school grad aid no matter what. Lastly, just going to school in California isn’t the only reason I’m thinking about this. I changed my major in the middle of applying and as a result I don’t have too many favorable options and I feel like a “redo” and a chance to improve my scores and apply to better schools for my major might benefit me. Thanks.

“If you are an unmarried undergraduate under the age of 24, you must be financially dependent on a California-resident parent.” This is the one I think you would need to be sure to satisfy.

More information here: http://registrar.berkeley.edu/tuition-fees-residency/residency-tuition-purposes/in-state-tuition-undergraduates

I hope one of the CC experts on California residency will chime in. It’s complicated.

Yes, I believe your father would have to claim you on his taxes as a dependent. That might be hard if you are working and not a college student.

You have an OOS transcript. You need to be careful about residency because if you are coming to California for your educational purposes, then you are OOS for the four years.
Each CSU and UC will determine it differently.

@twoinanddone Hmm, that might throw a wrench in my plans then. I don’t think I could do it without working. Thanks for letting me know.

It sounds like you have a 30K scholarship from U of A - why not go there?

Establishing residency in CA for purposes of in-state tuition is difficult, time consuming, and uncertain for a reason. I’d take the opportunity at U of A if I were you. It sounds like a great deal!