<p>So I'm considering going to college out in the northwest like Washington or Oregon. Either UW, Portland state, or even Seattle Central for a bit. If I was to take a gap year and getting residency in one of those states could I get instate tuition? Note: I have no legal guardian and as far as I know I would be consider an independent student or dependency override. That being said could I get in state tuition if I support myself for a year? Will I be able to receive financial aid?</p>
<p>Each school has its requirements to be considered instate. You need to carefully look at their definitions. In general, your plan is not one that would eventually qualify you for instate tuition.</p>
<p>I agree that a lot depends on the policies of the college or university in question, and you need to read the web site of any college or university that you’re interested in.</p>
<p>I also suspect that a lot depends on what you mean when you say, “I have no legal guardian.” I don’t want to pry, and you may consider the following questions rhetorical, but… Do you have no parents, either because you were orphaned, or because your parents’ parental rights were somehow terminated? If so, then your plan might work. If not, then most colleges and universities will consider you a resident of the state where your parents (or custodial parent) live–at least for purposes of tuition, if not also for purposes of admission.</p>
<p>If you’re just estranged from your parents, or on bad terms with them, you’re probably in a real bind. That’s almost never enough to get you considered independent from them. If it were, thousands upon thousands of less than scrupulous parents would “disown” their kids every year as a tuition dodge.</p>
<p>If one or both of your parents are living, and their parental rights were not legally terminated, then the most common routes to being considered independent of them for purposes of resident tuition are usually reaching the age of 24, completing military service, getting married, or having a child of your own whom you’re raising. The first two take a long time, and the second two are pretty major steps to take!</p>
<p>To answer your question as far as my custodial circumstances go, my mom sadly passed away a little more than a year ago and my father is in prison. My mom was my legal guardian and no one took custody of me since she passed. Under these circumstances that’s why i’m curious if this plan may work.</p>
<p>Given your unique circumstances (an emancipated minor), all the more reason to speak directly to the colleges. Oddly, colleges (even within the same state) have differing standards. Best of luck to you.</p>
<p>Agree that I’d contact each of the Us you are seriously interested in to find out their requirements before you decide what path to take. Sorry it sounds like you’ve had a tough time of it recently, with your mom’s death and dad imprisoned.</p>
<p>A friend’s child moved to OR and worked for over a year and then started taking courses at the local CC. He plans to enroll in one of their state schools as a resident fairly soon. He has been totally self-supporting now for several years while working and taking CC courses.</p>
<p>Yeah one of the few reasons why I want move; to start over again. Know of anything also about being a part time student for example at Seattle Central while going through the 12 months?</p>
<p>That must have been a very tough row to hoe, Josie. My sympathies on your loss.</p>
<p>Best wishes on your plans for the future.</p>
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<p>Not specifically, no. But many states and state universities say that in order to qualify for resident tuition, you can’t have come to the state in order to be a student. Usually, that means you can’t take even community college classes while you’re working and establishing yourself as a state resident. But, again, you really need to speak with people at the colleges and universities that are of interest to you.</p>
<p>Google the name of the college and ‘residency’ to get the information necessary for each school. For instance, UDub:</p>
<p>[UW</a> Residency - Understanding Washington State Residency](<a href=“Residency for Tuition Purposes - Office of the University Registrar”>Residency for Tuition Purposes - Office of the University Registrar)</p>
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<p>PSU:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.pdx.edu/registration/residency-requirements[/url]”>http://www.pdx.edu/registration/residency-requirements</a></p>
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