Residency for University of California

Applying to College
1

<p>Ok (all serious answers, please). So I am a senior in High School and am interested in applying to UCLA and a few other UCs. My parents are divorced. I reside with one and visit the other one continuously. One of my parents is a Californian resident, but I currently 'officially' live with the non-Californian resident. </p>

<p>Reading up on the residency terms (especially for UCLA), it seems that I am not eligible for in-state tuition. HOWEVER, because I am young for my grade, I don't turn 18 until AFTER I enroll in college. Therefore, considering I am a minor, can I 'coincidentally' move to California in the summer, just before College starts? Would that enable me to consider myself a Californian resident?</p>

<p>(UCLA</a> Registrar's Office: Residence for Tuition Purposes--Minors)
"A student who is a minor (under age 18 by the RDD) with a California resident parent and moves to California to begin residing with that parent prior to his or her 18th birthday, may be eligible for classification as a resident for tuition purposes."</p>

<p>& Let's say that works. Because I am applying to college as a non-resident (because I haven't moved there yet) can I change my residency status after I get accepted and after I move? Will that enable me to pay only the in-state tuition? ...all because I am a minor?</p>

<p>Please help!
By the way, I think this whole system is a little unfair. As long as one parent pays taxes for one state, I believe that residency should be granted to the child/minor.</p>

2

<p>The only serious answer:</p>

<p>Contact UCLA. They are the only ones who can give you a definitive response if you have a non-custodial parent who is a California resident.</p>

<p>Likely answer: Either the fact of your California resident parent is sufficient by itself, or it is not. Moving in the summer after your senior year, whether you are a minor or not, won’t do a thing. Minority is irrelevant, since most residency decisions are made once the “kid” is already an adult and still goes back to the parent.</p>

3

<p>This is probably one you should actually address to the UCs because it is ambiguous. The rules are further stated in the UC guidelines: <a href=“http://www.ucop.edu/ogc/documents/uc-residence-policy.pdf[/url]”>http://www.ucop.edu/ogc/documents/uc-residence-policy.pdf&lt;/a&gt; That is also not clear. What concerns me is the use of the word “may” meaning they may be able to say no. Also, they don’t mention the impact of custody orders on “residency” in that you may not actually “reside” with your California parent even if you are staying there if the divorce/custody gives custody to the other parent. My sense is you should be allowed to move in with the California parent before starting school and then request and be granted in-state tuition but that is not at all clear from the rules given.</p>