<p>Alright... so I live in Oregon and I am a Junior. I am looking to go to a California university particularly in the CSU system. It would be better for me financially to get in-state tuition. With that said, before people say that the reason people get in-state tuition is because they are residents so their parents are paying taxes to the state. Well, here is why I am so much more special. My dad was born in California, my mom moved to California when she was 2, and I was born and raised there for 15 years. My parents are 50 so.... yeah, that is a lot of taxes.
Now with that said, let me say this. I probably don't need in-state tuition, and to be honest with you if I don't get accepted to a college in California I will probably go back anyways. I consider California to be my home and I will spend the rest of my life there- no joke, I will.
Now with all of that said...... let me say THIS! My parents cannot and will not pay any of my tuition or living costs or fees or anything, and they cannot get loans or anything, which is fine, so my college will be paid in full by me (and scholarships) with ABSOLUTELY NO help from my parents.
So with my situation laid out, let me ask my question. I am aware that I will not be able to get in-state tuition when I apply. However, I have heard of people getting in-state tuition after a year under certain circumstances- these are people who have no ties with their state of choice. So with my testimony- given to you- will I be able to accomplish such a task and where do I begin? I understand being financially independent and when you leave your home state you must drop all ties to the state. I am particularly confused on the legality of this "loop-hole" (if that is an appropriate word). So, WHERE DO I START?
Thank you, this is my first post on the forum, which looks like a good place to go for information.</p>
<p>Start by searching for California residency requirements for tuition purpsoses, they can usually be found on college websites or through google. If you can meet those that’s step one. Some states are easier than others to meet residency requirements, although I don’t believe that CA is one of them, and what applied to someone else may not apply to you. It generally involves living and working in the state- without the support of your parents - for at least a year before you start college.</p>
<p>If you also want to be considered independent for financial aid, you’ll have to see if you can meet one of the FAFSA criteria for independence as well. There are circumstances where people can do the latter because of their family situation. It doesn’t sound like they apply to you, but you should find out for yourself…there are many threads on this forum about it already.</p>
<p>Both of these are very long shots at your age (unless your parents are willing to move back to CA NOW) and there would be alot of hoops to jump through. You might look at a lower cost private school in CA as there would be no in/out of state tuition difference and you may be able to get more FA there. Please make sure you apply to at least a few colleges that you know you can get into and afford, even if they’re in Oregon. You have your whole life to live in CA, don’t start it neck deep in debt!</p>
<p>CSU seems to have an easier procedure than UCs.</p>
<p>Check the exact site residency req.</p>
<p>Most UCs do NOT allow you to become a resident if you are taking more than half time classes, so you might need to move to CA, establish your residency (maybe take less than half time units at a CC to stay in the school mode) and then apply for the next fall.</p>
<p>I do think your parents could not be claiming you on their taxes in order for this to work.</p>
<p>But a friend at a CSU CAN become a CA resident for tuition even whilst attending.</p>
<p>Another important ‘gotcha’ on residency is time spent in the state. If you go ‘home’ to OR for the summer then you are not considered a resident of CA</p>
<p>So, go to the sites, find the forms, read them thoroughly and understand them, then structure your plan to allow your actions to fit the requirements.</p>
<p>Also, independence for FAFSA and for tax returns and for tuition all have different rules.</p>
<p>You can be a resident of a state legally and not qualify for in state tuition; you can also end up a resident of no state for tuition if you do not check the rules carefully ahead of time!</p>
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<p>sorry…this does NOT make you “so mich more special”. I lived in Ohio for 22 years. I don’t live there anymore. My kids do NOT qualify for instate tuition in Ohio…we don’t LIVE in Ohio.</p>
<p>If you want to get instate tuition in CA…have your whole family move BACK to CA. Live there for a full year BEFORE you enroll in college and POOF you will have instate tuiton.</p>
<p>But do check the requirements for establishing instate residency for the Cal State schools. You will NOT be able to qualify for instate tuition your freshman year IF you live in Oregon, and your parents live in Oregon during your senior year of high school.</p>
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It would be better for everybody to get in-state tuition.</p>
<p>It’s hard but could be possible if you truly are self supporting. The biggest issue is that for it to even be a possibility your parent’s can not have claimed you for at least 2 years and you must live in CA for a year and NOT go to school. You will need to prove you did not move there for educational purposes.</p>
<p>Actually I have read quite a few cases like mine on this board (not exactly like mine which is why I posted). Most of the cases I have read state that they have never lived in the state before and the get a bunch of “smart” replies saying “Why do you think you should get in-state when your parents have never paid taxes here?”. </p>
<p>Now let me refer you back to the original post because it sounds as if you did not read it all the way. I said that I WILL be paying out-of-state the first year; there is no way around this- I WILL be paying OUT-OF-STATE the first year (if circumstances that I have mentioned I wish to achieve are fufilled). Okay, so please read the original post again. </p>
<p>Alright, what I have read is that people who have no ties to the state were able to get in-state after a year under their special circumstances. So what are these circumstances? Are they general or case-to-case? </p>
<p>Yes, I know I stated the obvious saying that in-state tuition would be better for me financially, however what if you were offered a scholarship by a University that was out of state and it turned out that out of state was the better way to go? Think about that.</p>
<p>Anyways, any help would be, well, helpful.</p>
<p>[San</a> Diego State University, Office of the Registrar](<a href=“http://arweb.sdsu.edu/es/registrar/residency.html]San”>http://arweb.sdsu.edu/es/registrar/residency.html)</p>
<p>Thank you somemom!!! That is perfect. This might be exactly what I need. I am reading it and it might help that I have lived in California before also. Thank you very much. Any other advice I would appreciate.</p>
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<p>Did you carefully read the replies? I told you exactly what information you needed to search for in post #3. As you said, this has been addressed many times in these forums, often with links posted, and we all know that it very rarely will work out. There’s no point in sugar coating it, as that’s a waste of everyone’s time. It’s very easy to google for this information and I didn’t post the links to it because you should be learning to do your own research before attempting to take on a process that will have many steps and requirements. Imo, if you’re not willing to do a few google searches, the likelihood of you jumping through hoops to satisfy all the other requirements is nil.</p>
<p>Every case is different and is looked at individually, but within the rules of residency for that state or FAFSA rules for independence. Of the people who are successful getting declared independent, some kids were in foster care and aged out, some are orphaned, etc. Some OOS public schools will offer instate rates to attract certain groups and that doesn’t require residency changes. Some schools waive residency requirements for illegal aliens who graduated from high school in that state, grad students are often presumed to be self-supporting and allowed residency after one year, etc. It doesn’t matter what applies to someone else, your case is what counts.</p>
<p>Obviously, if you get a scholarship to an out of state school it will be a much better option! My advice would be to look for schools that you would be near the top of the heap at and who offer need and merit based aid. If you haven’t already, find out what your EFC is likely to be and if you’ll be eligible for federal grant programs.</p>
<p>Here’s a link to a great financial aid website where you can estimate your EFC and find out almost everything you need to know about loans and aid programs:
[FinAid</a> | Financial Aid Applications](<a href=“Your Guide for College Financial Aid - Finaid”>FAFSA - Finaid)</p>
<p>If you type “residency” into their search box you will find links to each state’s requirements. Good luck!</p>
<p>Hello sk8rmom,
I did read the replies but I was a bit confused. When I read yours, it sounded like you were talking about getting in-state tuition for all four years; sorry for any confusion. Anyways, I actually do a lot of research mainly because performing the act of conversation takes a little longer than using Google (it must have been terrible with out a computer!). However, I went to Google, calstate.edu, and collegeboard and couldn’t find that document; it was confused what a lot of websites meant when they said “residency for tuition purposes” and whether if that was when you first admit to the college or after you have attended for sometime. Now that I have the document I am able to do more research on calstate.edu</p>
<p>As for the FAFSA, it is looking as if my EFC could be anywhere between $0 and $2000. I have looked at all the calculators and I will just have to see how much taxes my parents pay this year. </p>
<p>There is actually a fee waiver in some CSU universities. Instead of paying out-of-state tuition you can pay in-state plus 50%. This actually turns out to be cheaper than in-state in Oregon (including yearly budget).</p>
<p>My DDs friend is at SDSU and has been told she can become a resident of CA even as a full time student, if she follows all the nesc steps. I was surprised to hear this, as a UC will NOT allow it</p>
<p>James - That’s great! With a small EFC, you should qualify for a Pell, work study, and maybe ACG, FSEOG, university grants, and additional subsidized loans like Perkins. But please don’t fall into the trap of thinking that the school will offer you the difference between your EFC and their cost. It probably won’t happen, especially with CA’s terrible fiscal problems. </p>
<p>If you haven’t already, spend a few minutes reading the requirements for automatic 0 and simplified needs tests for FAFSA. A simple thing, like signing up for reduced price school lunches if you qualify, might make a big difference in your college aid. You can find that info here:
<a href=“http://ifap.ed.gov/efcformulaguide/attachments/111408EFCFormulaGuide0910.pdf[/url]”>http://ifap.ed.gov/efcformulaguide/attachments/111408EFCFormulaGuide0910.pdf</a></p>
<p>If you qualify for one of these, it can help you to maximize your federal aid. Also, check out the fee waiver requirements for College Board which can help you save money on SATs, APs, and college application costs. Keep looking here on CC and elsewhere for schools that give good FA.</p>
<p>Awesome. My little sister and I get free school lunches. I am not sure if I qualify next year for the free lunches though. Nevermind, my father makes over $30,000. Thanks for the information though. My parents aren’t sure what to do with everything since I am the first one they have had to deal with going to college (my older sister was so sure that she was getting into Brown that she didn’t apply to anywhere else and she didn’t talk to my parents about any of it. She goes to Portland State which has a deadline in June).</p>
<p>Which CSUs are you thinking about? Some will be easier than others. S did exactly what you are trying to do and much of circumstances were the same as yours. All family except parents lived in CA. Paid OOS tuition first year, jumped through all the hoops on their website and was notified he was considered instate at the end of first year. Spent all summers and most holidays in CA. Graduated last year and has remained in CA.<br>
Second senario: friend enrolled in local public university (not CA) first year, did national Student exchange second year to a CSU. Dropped out of school and worked third year. reapplied and was accepted as in state student fourth year at same CSU. Is still in CA.</p>
<p>James - There is a two year “look back” period with the lunch thing - if anyone in your household qualified in either year, you can use it. So, if you qualified for reduced/free lunches this year and your parent’s adjusted gross income is under $49,999 for 2009, you qualify for the simplified needs test which means that FAFSA will not require or consider any asset info. Also, make sure to look at AGI on the tax return, not gross income - they are often different.
If your sister is still in school, you can estimate your EFC as roughly 1/2 of hers. Hers will drop as well when you’re in college as long as you’re filing as a dependent student.</p>
<p>Actually, my sister is now independant in FAFSA terms. She is married and is expecting a child. My first choice of CSU is Chico- according to college board they offer lots of financial aid and well, they are one of the few colleges that offer my major (Recording Arts). My second choice is CSU Sacramento- they offer my second choice major.
I am still looking at other CSU but I am making sure they have the Western Undergraduate Exchange program so if I don’t get in-state I can still pay 150% of in-state tuition (overall budget ends up being cheaper than Oregon).</p>
<p>Well, I read Chico’s website on financial aid for non-residents and the most they will give me is the WUE program. So I guess I will have to really push Federal Grants and Private Scholarships.</p>
<p>Edit: Nevermind, that is just state aid. I still am eligible for CSU and Chico aid.</p>
<p>Edit: From CSU Chico’s website: “WUE students are not eligible for California resident tuition. Students cannot apply time accrued while participating in the WUE program to establish California residency.”</p>
<p>This pretty much answers my question. I am still going to go to Chico though because they are one of the few people who offer my major. So from here I can apply for CSU Chico and hopefully get the WUE discount and just pay for that and make it for four years or I can work there for a year and then try and get in-state but I think I am just going to apply for the WUE program. Thanks for all the help anyways. :)</p>
<p>It looks like Chico does offer merit and need based institutional grants as well:
[Student</a> Aid on the Web](<a href=“http://www.studentaid2.ed.gov/gotocollege/campustour/undergraduate/4/CSU_Chico/CSU_Chico4.html]Student”>http://www.studentaid2.ed.gov/gotocollege/campustour/undergraduate/4/CSU_Chico/CSU_Chico4.html)</p>
<p>I think with the programs you’ve found, you’ll be okay. Best of luck to you!</p>