Im a rising senior and in love with California. I live in New York and have family in California, I’m in love with UCSB and wondering if establishing residency is possible. I’ve read everywhere that it is impossible, but if I moved here over the summer and worked and got a new license would it be possible, or would my whole family have to move?
Also if I went to a community college in California for 2 years and worked, could I transfer into a UC and obtain in state tuition?
Of course it is always possible…by becoming a valid resident. That usually means your parents move here or you are independently supporting for at least a year. You are paying for your own college etc. You will not be a resident by going to a CC unless you are self supporting. And you need to live and work for a year, otherwise you are just coming for school purposes and not considered a resident.
For financial aid, you are a dependent of your parents until you are 24. ,married, military or couple other conditions. And so you are usually considered a resident where your parents live with few exceptions (try Utah?)
What about private colleges? Residency doesn’t matter.
If I need to I plan on going to a less expensive state school or a private, but I’m absolutely in love with UCSB and willing to do just about anything to go there. Do you think it would be in my best interest to move in with my uncle in California and get a job next May to expedite the process?
Here is a link from the UCB website about establishing California Residency:
http://registrar.berkeley.edu/Residency/establish.html?no_server_init
Please NOTE this caveat::::
If you are physically present in California solely for educational purposes, you will not be eligible for resident classification regardless of the length of your stay in California. The physical presence requirement (above) will be extended until you can demonstrate a concurrence of both physical presence and intent for one full year.
Living with your Uncle would not qualify if you are still receiving money from your parents and you are under 24. You also cannot be attending any school during this first year.
Good Luck, many have tried and failed.
@Gumbymom is basically summarizing some of the residency requirements noted by the California universities.
Living with your uncle just means that another adult is supporting you, even if you paid him “rent”.
Normal rents in California are outrageous and I doubt that your uncle will charge you the going “rates”, and that will be suspicious to the university.
If your parents live OOS, the school assumes that you will pay OOS fees.