<p>That’s not a very workable idea if you don’t have a job lined up. You have to prove that you’re on your own; your parents’ can’t be supporting you from afar or kicking in a part of your rent or your groceries or something. </p>
<p>Going to Arizona without merit money isn’t a realistic option. I’m sorry, but it’s better to apply to Arizona and some other schools that you can actually afford. That way, if Arizona works out, you’re set, and if it doesn’t, you’re not screwed.</p>
<p>It’s important to talk with the folks. They may be wanting to claim you as a dependent for tax purposes — and they need to know how the colleges look at financial aid. You may be 18 and “on your own” but colleges won’t give you a Pell grant unless you and the parents have filled out a FAFSA. This is true until you are . . .22 I think. So there is some “free” money available but only if the parents are willing to do the paperwork.</p>
<p>I know a person who went to another AZ state college, got a job and became a state resident. (He legitimately became a resident. He ended up falling in love with a local girl and they got married.) Anyway, AZ was crazy about what they did to make him prove he was independent. They even had him and his parents submit copies of their bank accounts to make sure the parents weren’t sending him money.</p>
<p>^For FAFSA, a student is normally considered a dependent until age 24. Unless they marry, are supporting their own child/dependent, are in the military, or have had other specific status changers like homelessness, foster care, etc.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>It’s generally next-to-impossible to gain in-state status once it’s been established that you originally moved to the state for the purpose of attending college (unless you spent > 12 months in the state BEFORE enrolling in school).</p>