<p>Hello all! I'm sitting here filling out my SLR and can't help but to feel a little pit of despair in my stomach. My SLR has so much conflicting information is not even funny. Let me explain my situation a bit, and I apologize for the lengthy explanation ahead of time.</p>
<p>I am California born and raised...to some degree. I moved out of CA right before I turned 16 after sophomore year of high school. I moved to CO where I became a "ward of the court" with legal guardians, my aunt and uncle. Actually, I have been called all sorts of things in the legal system- emancipated minor, foster youth, ward of the court, you name it. Anyways, I finished my last two years of high school there and attended one year at Colorado State University where I received resident tuition. I moved back to CA May of last year and have since been attending a CCC, mind you, paying non-resident tuition. </p>
<p>My question is, with all of this conflicting information, how do you think UCSC will classify me for residency purposes? In-state, Out-of-State? The idea of paying OOS tuition is really starting to freak me out, because its not exactly cheap. I had to write up a statement to UCSC which I explained I relinquished all ties with CO, etc., as well as request a letter from my past university regarding tuition information. Since I returned last May, I have made every effort possible to show my intent to stay- Got my CA driver's license back, own a car, have bank accounts (I even had them while I was in CO!), registered to vote, etc. With this, I have satisfied both the physical presence and intent to be classified as a CA resident. There is another component, financial independence (if not claimed by a CA resident parent), but I /should/ be exempt as a result of being a former ward of the court.</p>
<p>The big kicker I found tonight was under the "Absences from CA" section in the UC's residency requirements information:</p>
<p>"NOTE: If a student (or the students parent(s)) relinquishes California residence
after moving from the state, it will take 366 days of physical presence coupled
with one year of demonstrated intent to re-establish residence in California for
purposes of tuition and fees."</p>
<p>I DID have to relinquish residency when I moved to CO under my legal guardians, but because I was a ward of the court, so I wonder if this will apply to me as well? I won't have been in CA for two years by the time I attend UCSC, just about a year and a half...</p>
<p>I can't help but to freak out a bit. All of this time I figured I would probably be alright, but I have no financial aid estimations because all of the paperwork they're requesting first. I know this is a complicated situation, but I'm hoping somebody might be able to offer me their thoughts. Again, sorry for the lengthy explanation, but I felt it was necessary to describe the situation. Thank you very much in advance!</p>
<p>UC Residency Requirements: <a href="http://www.ucop.edu/ogc/documents/uc-residence-policy.pdf%5B/url%5D">http://www.ucop.edu/ogc/documents/uc-residence-policy.pdf</a></p>