<p>I have looked at various OOS schools and read up on what is required for an OOS student to gain residency but it seems pretty improbable unless your child is working and supporting themselves. At first, I thought you just change your driver's license, voting registration and need to show you are keeping your apt through the summer like a real resident, not a student going home for the summer.</p>
<p>However, many indicate a requirement to show that financially the student is independent from their parents. Not claiming the student as a dependent on your taxes is one thing but it appears the student has to show they are paying their own tuition as well as supporting themselves. </p>
<p>Has anyone sucessfully gotten residency while still needing parental support?</p>
<p>It is easier than that at Univ. of MO, after the freshman year. Year-round residency, not being claimed as dependent by parents are required, but there is no need to show that student is financing their education. There may be some other small points, but it is not essential to be actually independent. However, note that this cannot be done until after freshman year. You still have to apply initially as a non-resident.</p>
<p>I believe it is harder at most public universities.</p>
<p>I don’t think it’s legal for a child to be a dependent of a parent in one state but claim residency in a different state (unless the child’s parents are divorced and they live in two different states). Otherwise, people would be renting up dummy apartments all the time just to gain residency in that state. And voter registration is not sufficient proof of residency because, for example, college students in massachusetts can register to vote in massachusetts even if they are residents of a different state. </p>
<p>In order for a student to be considered a resident of a state they need to be living there full time either with their parents or as an independent. And the only way to be declared independent (for college financial aid purposes) is if you’re over 24, a military veteran, you have a child, or you’re an orphan/ward of the state.</p>
<p>^^^As I explained in post number 2, it is possible to be a resident for tuition purposes at some public universities while not being strictly independent as it is defined for financial aid purposes–but in the one case about which I am certain, parents cannot declare the child as a dependent on their taxes.</p>
<p>The rules for state residency for college tuition are not the same as the rules for need-based financial aid. Those are two different subjects. Also, the rules are controlled by state law, not federal law, so they vary from state to state.</p>
<p>lakemom, another thought: there are some public flagship universities that grant in-state tuition to OOS students who have some minimum test score/gpa/rank combination. Some are more minimal than others. Arkansas is pretty easy if you live in one of the five contiguous states, Wyoming has a sliding scale; Minnesota is more difficult but I know a lot of students who pay pretty much the in-state rate. Check the websites of the schools you are looking at.</p>
<p>In California the intent of the residency rules are very straightforward. It’s what you would expect:</p>
<p>“Physical presence within California solely for educational purposes does not constitute the establishment of California residence regardless of the length of stay.”</p>
<p>For the full process of establishing residency, and having the university recognize the legitimacy of the residence see:</p>
<p>It’s not too hard in Texas. DS would have to stay in Texas the entire year he starts college (August 2010-August 2011), with only SHORT visits home. He’d have to register to vote and get a driver’s license. We would have to buy a small piece of property ($10,000 lot in west Texas, even) and put it in his name. We couldn’t claim him as a dependent on taxes (I asked specifically, and that’s all they look for). Then he would be in-state starting his sophomore year. The cost savings would be $17,000/year, so it would be worth it!</p>
<p>It does vary by state somewhat but if that is the case for the University of MO it sounds exceptionally easy compared to most states. Most states base residency for instate tuition on the Parents state of residence and make it extrememly difficult for a student to attain instate residency status unles their parents are residents of the State. It is especially difficult for a student to gain residency while they are in school as they are regarded as being there primarily for the purpose of going to school.</p>
<p>Some State (CA is one I think) may allow younger people to prove they are residents when their parents are not but make it quite difficult - for instance they may have had to live there and not be attending school, may have to prove they have suffficient income to have been completely self supporting (not money from Mom and Dad), not be claimed as dependents on parents tax returns for 2 years etc.</p>
<p>Generally it is extremely hard to get residency if your parents are not residents. If it were that easy then no one would be paying OOS tuition so it’s existance would be pointless.</p>
<p>^^^Some states are actually looking for OOS students. Even if the rules are relatively lax, the univ. still gets OOS tuition for freshman year. Also, a lot of parents do not want to lose the tax exemption, and the students do not want to live in town over the summer.</p>
<p>Check the rules for each school. I didn’t believe it was true about Mizzou either, until it was clearly announced at a prospective student day event.</p>
<p>As in the case midmo stated, it is different for different states and some are easier than others.</p>
<p>I have no problem with paying OOS for freshman and sophmore year but it would be nice to get a break for the last 2 especially if for some reason your child has to stay in school longer beyond the 4 years ie couldn’t get into classes or changed their major.</p>
<p>In Florida, it is nearly impossible for undergraduate years under current law. The state has low instate tuition due to the dollars given by the legislature generated from state tax dollars. The feeling is that if you didn’t have parents living and paying taxes, you are not a resident. Grad students who receive a stipend (for TA responsibilities, etc) and sign their own lease, pay their power bills, and get a license plate and a drivers license can become residents after the first year. Usually the grad schools who pay stipends grant in-state tuition to said students for one year, requiring the grad students to meet residency requirements after year one as a stipulation of remaining in the program.
<a href=“flbog.org”>flbog.org;
<p>Each state has slightly different, easily found rules. My niece established residence in Texas for UT Austin. Texas rules, to my surprise, were looser than many.</p>
<p>In order to post a link as per dragonmom’s suggestion, I looked for the official statement from U of MO and it discovered that they may be tightening the requirements for residency under pressure from the state higher ed coordinating board. The modifications are dated July, 2009, which is almost exactly when daughter and I were at an information session that presented a slide with significantly looser language.</p>
<p>Here is a link with additional linkages. Anyone interested should contact appropriate offices with specific questions. That goes for any institution, I think.</p>
<p>Lakemom, you say you don’t mind paying OOS tuition for the first two years, but wonder about a break the second two years. The BEST way to be assured your kid will be in state is to MOVE to the state in which she attends school when she enrolls. Work there and establish FAMILY residency. This will take a year in most places. Then you would most likely be paying instate for the final two years.</p>
<p>BUT buyer beware…there are SOME states where the residency of the student does NOT change after freshman year. In other words, if you enroll as OOS that is your status until you graduate. So…check and see each school’s policy.</p>
<p>Go to their websites…and use the search funcion. Type in “Establishing In state tuition”…you’ll get the info.</p>
<p>The very best way to guarantee instate tuition is for the FAMILY to relocate to the state in which the kid goes to college. Do this at the beginning of the kid’s junior year in high school and poof…you will be instate for sure.</p>
<p>thumper, I am originally from Calif I would love to move back but life takes you where work is. My entire family lives in Calif and my son wants to go to school there. But, I must pay out of state fees if he was accepted to a state school there. My husband’s workplace is not going to move and it would not make sense to look for a new job, especially in this economy. </p>
<p>Additionally, as many of you may know, it is much harder to get into a Calif UC or state school if you are OOS which many states do not require. You need a high GPA so here again I feel like our “OOS” status works against us.</p>