<p>So I'm thinking I want to go to SUNY New Paltz and major in Journalism with a PR concentration. However, I really can't afford out-of-state tuition. So, even though I really wasn't into going to a CC, I'm thinking I'll go to a SUNY CC (or another CC, as long as the credits will transfer.) for my first year so I can qualify for in-state tuition. I now realize that I'll only be 17 at the time I graduate HS, making it impossible to find somewhere to live (yes? no?). I've been told that my only way of finding a place to rent on my own at 17 would be to become an emancipated minor (again, is this incorrect?). Would emancipation hinder my ability to get financial aid? Also, would it be harder to get aid after waiting a year to go to a CC?</p>
<p>It is almost impossible to qualify for in-state status if you are a full-time student.</p>
<p>Most states require that you live and work there for a full twelve months in order to qualify as a resident. You would also need to demonstrate that you are self-supporting. Some states will not allow you to establish residency on your own until you qualify to file the FAFSA as an independent student. Those states would consider that you are a resident of the same state as your parents.</p>
<p>The FAFSA has very clear and specific rules about who is, and who isn’t independent. If you can answer Yes to one of these questions, you would be independent:
Were you born before January 1, 1988?
As of today are you married?
At the beginning of the 2011-2012 school year, will you be working on a master’s or doctorate program (such as an MA, MBA, MD, JD, PhD, EdD, or graduate certificate, etc.)?
Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training?
Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces?
Do you have children who will receive more than half of their support from you between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012?
Do you have dependents (other than your children or spouse) who live with you and who receive more than half of their support from you, now and through June 30, 2012?
At any time since you turned age 13, were both your parents deceased, were you in foster care or were you a dependent or ward of the court?
As determined by a court in your state of legal residence, are you or were you an emancipated minor?
As determined by a court in your state of legal residence, are you or were you in legal guardianship?
At any time on or after July 1, 2010, did your high school or school district homeless liaison determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?
At any time on or after July 1, 2010, did the director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?
At any time on or after July 1, 2010, did the director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or were self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?</p>
<p>Thanks! So, if NY is one of those states, in order for my current plan to work, I’d need to become emancipated, which isn’t too easy or cheap, either. Anyone know if NY or SUNY have a policy like the one that happymomof1 mentioned?</p>
<p>Horsey, instead of going through this whole exercise, why don’t you first find out if NP offers any scholarships that you would qualify for. As you know, the SUNYs have extremely reasonable costs. even for OOS students, and most of them offer larger scholarships to OOS kids than they do to residents. If you have good stats, that would be a much more workable plan. SUNYs do not grant residency reclassifications to dependent undergrads in the absence of other unusual circumstances.</p>
<p>Btw, as a taxpayer in NYS, I’d like to point out that we simply do not have the cash available to subisidize your education further than we already would be and educate our own resident students too…but I’m sure the taxpayers of your own state will be happy to do so ;)</p>