Hey, I am trying to learn about establishing residency at the University of Texas at Austin. Has anyone done it before that can offer advice and answer some questions? I’m specifically a little worried about what to do over winter break when dorms are closed for a month and I can’t leave Texas to go back home.
http://admissions.utexas.edu/residency#fndtn-residency-establishing-domicile-requirements
Requirements
If you are independent for tax purposes, you may gain resident status if you establish domicile in the state. If your parent(s) claim you as a dependent on their federal income tax return, they must establish domicile in the state for you to claim residency.
To establish domicile, you or your parent(s) must meet the following criteria:
Live in Texas for 12 consecutive months; and
Establish and maintain domicile for 12 consecutive months, as evidenced by:
Gainful employment in Texas;
Note: Student jobs do not qualify as gainful employment.
Sole or joint marital ownership of residential real property in Texas by the person seeking to enroll or the dependent’s parent, having established and maintained a domicile at the residence;
Ownership and operation of a business in Texas; or
Marriage for one year to a person who has established domicile in Texas.
Are your parents going to give up claiming you as a dependent? That is the first requirement. That means potentially giving up a few tax benefits including the exemption and the American Opportunity Tax Credit.
Then you have to live here for 12 consecutive months. As you point out, the dorms close several times a year. If no one answers here on CC, you may want to call the school and ask how others establishing residency handle that.
Then you have to do one of the next four things on that list. I assume you plan to get a job.
Arrange to spend the breaks with one or several friends or
UT offers winter break housing.
WINTER BREAK HOUSING - 2015
http://www.utexas.edu/student/housing/index.php?site=0&scode=3&id=9495
The Residence Halls officially close for Winter Break on Wednesday, December 16, 2015 at 9 a.m. All residents must leave the halls at this time. You do not need to officially check out and may leave your belongings in your room, but the halls are closed during the University’s Winter Break. Students will not be allowed access to the halls during the Winter Break.
We offer Winter Break Housing to current residents who register by noon on Friday, December 4, 2015. There are three Winter Break Housing options open to students:
Option 1: Full Break - December 16 through January 15, $1,050
Option 2: Fall Delayed Departure - December 16 through noon on December 20, $140
Option 3: Spring Early Arrival - January 10 at noon through January 15, $175
All students living in Winter Break Housing will be assigned in San Jacinto. If your current room is in San Jacinto, you will be allowed to stay in your room. For all other students, you will be staying in rooms specifically set up for Winter Break Housing. The Winter Break Housing rooms have the typical room amenities (bed, desk, hanging space, etc), and you will have roommates.
Winter Break Housing is limited, and we may not be able to accommodate every student who requests it. Spaces will fill on a first come, first served basis.
To register for Winter Break Housing, please fill out this survey. All reservations must be submitted by December 4, 2015 at noon.
*Please note that the Dining Facilities will be closed during most of Winter Break.
Regarding the necessity of “gainful employment” in Texas for 12 months before you apply for residency, there are specific requirements of what constitutes gainful employment vs, what is considered a student job. From the worksheet you would need to fill out to determine residency:
“Gainful employment requires an average employment of at least 20 hours per week for one year or earnings equal to at least half of tuition and living expenses for one 9-month academic year. Employment conditioned on student status such as work-study, the receipt of stipends, fellowships or research or teaching assistanceships does not constitute gainful employment.”
So while you don’t need to work full time, you do need to work a pretty significant amount of part-time hours that cannot be work study.
A link to the residency questionnaire is here:
http://www.collegeforalltexans.com/index.cfm?ObjectID=6D1466D9-AEA5-DE00-C12F3F75E7367718
Thank you so much! That helps a lot. @Thelma2