The ghetto way to get in-state residency...

<p>Okay, so its not really ghetto, but here's the situation. Assume Bob lives in Georgia. Bob got accepted to the University of South Carolina, where he really wants to go. Bob's grandparents live in Charleston, SC. Bob informs USC that he is legally under the guardiandship of his grandparents. He has all his mail, grades, etc, sent to his grandparent's house. He even files a tax report and votes in SC (don't know if Bob could do that....). Does Bob get in-state tuition after "residing" in the state for a year?</p>

<p>o and btw. the story is fictional, but recently people have told me this can be done.</p>

<p>Don't know about SC specifically, but some state would require that his grandparents claimed him as a dependent on their taxes. Which would, of course, mean his parents could not.</p>

<p>well i was assuming for ne state. But your saying that if bob's parents didn't claim him on that year's taxes, and his grandparents did, he would get instate?</p>

<p>where does 'Bob' go to high school? The transcripts are required by the college direct from the school and would raise red flags if they are not from SC. </p>

<p>Bob and his grandparents would be committing fraud. Completing any federal forms (taxes, FAFSA) using the false information would be a felony.</p>

<p>And of course there's that. ;)</p>

<p>I wasn't suggesting Bob's parents/grandparents do such a thing, only that some states look at where the people upon whom Bob is financially dependent pay their state taxes.</p>

<p>Most public colleges will have an explanation or a worksheet on their website showing how they determine residency. Bob could check it out!</p>

<p>No no, i think you are misunderstanding this swimcatsmom. Or else i am, if so i'm sry...lol. Any ways, i'm saying he pays for oos tuition for a year, then legally claims to have moved to his grandparents, which, for all intensive purposes, he has.</p>

<p>it takes two seconds to google "University of South Carolina" (or whatever college you are interested in) and "residency". Each state has a different way of determining residency -- but no state I know of makes it easy for someone who is truly not a resident to become one while attending school.</p>

<p>Bob would be in trouble in several areas:</p>

<p>"The word "residence" or "reside" shall mean continuous and permanent physical presence within this State, provided, that temporary absences for short periods of time shall not affect the establishment of a residence. " </p>

<p>-- so Bob actually needs to live in South Carolina, and a high school transcript from a Georgia high school will make it pretty obvious that he doesn't.</p>

<p>"The word "parent" shall mean a person's natural or adoptive father or mother; or if one parent has custody of the child, the parent having custody; or if there is a guardian or other legal custodian of such person, then such guardian or legal custodian; provided, however, that where circumstances indicate that such guardianship or custodianship was created primarily for the purpose of conferring South Carolina domicile for tuition and fee purposes on such child or dependent person, it shall not be given such effect."</p>

<p>Unless Bob's parents are dead (and they are going to want proof -- espcially due to FA verification procedures), guardianship of a student who is 17 is going to be highly questionable. since it is specifically mentioned in the statutes, you can bet it has been tried many times before.</p>

<p>The residence and domicile of a dependent minor shall be presumed to be that of the parent of such dependent minor.</p>

<p>--Bob will have the same residency as his parents (note that the law does not say that he shares the same residency as his guardian or the person that claims him on their taxes)</p>

<p>Where it appears to the satisfaction of officials charged with administration of these provisions that a person has gained domiciliary status improperly by making or presenting willful misrepresentations of fact, such persons shall be charged tuition and fees past due and unpaid at the out-of-state rate, plus interest at a rate of eight percent per annum, plus a penalty amounting to twenty-five percent of the out-of-state rate for one semester; and until these charges have been paid no such student shall be allowed to receive transcripts or graduate from any State Institution</p>

<p>-- so if you try and get caught, it will cost you!</p>

<p>As far as moving and paying OOS tuition for a year -- doesn't work that way. You have the same residency as your parents as long as you are a dependent. You can change that by marrying, having a child or serving in the military.</p>

<p>kk i have a question because i am in the same dilemma.i live in ny and my grandparent/my dads entire family live about 5 minutes from purdue university. anyway i was wondering if i move there get a liscence ect and go to community college there for about a yr or however i have to livethere cuz they would obviuosly no i live in state cuz im staying at home wen im going to community college…so if i go to comm college for a smester or a yr could i transfer to purdue and get instate</p>

<p>In most states you would have to live there for a year without going to school. Most residency requirements want you to prove you did not move to the state to attend their schools. But if you move there and work for a year, in SOME states you will become a resident. In many you will remain a resident of where your parents live and pay taxes until you’re 24 no matter what you do. You need to research your desired schools.</p>

<p>People, just be honest. If you don’t live in the state, then in-state is not meant for you. End of story.</p>

<p>There are many ways to do this and many exceptions. Most deal with the specific state. For example, the state of Washington has very strict regulations about moving and in-state tuition and how you can’t be in school. I know someone who moved here because her husband’s job transferred them. She was able to get in-state tuition after just a few months because she was able to prove that she had relocated here for reasons that had nothing to do with school. I am all for “being honest” but there are indeed ways to work the system, do your homework and use the knowledge to your advantage. I’m only advocating that you utilize information and take alternative routes. Best bet is to figure out the state laws, as it varies, and to also talk to the school because they are the ones that have the final say even if you’re outside the legal guidelines they can still make exceptions. I heard of another out of state resident getting his admissions status changed for his senior year simply because he had a job offer to stay in state after that. Nothing in the requirements even mentioned that, but they gave it to him. So just be diligent and keep trying if you really need in state tuition.</p>

<p>h1dden is right on target. You have to check out the regulations for the state, and for the individual community colleges/4-year colleges/universities involved. For example, if you move to Maryland, get a job here, and give every indication that you intend to make this your permanent home, after three months you qualify for in-state rates at the community colleges. You need 12 months residency before qualifying for in-state rates at the public universities. Some states have blanket policies. In other states, each institution sets its own policy.</p>

<p>As a resident of Georgia, you can study certain programs in South Carolina at in-state rates through the Academic Common Market <a href=“http://www.sreb.org/page/1304/academic_common_market.html[/url]”>Academic Common Market - Southern Regional Education Board; tuition exchange. If the institution in SC is more important to you than the specific major, this might work well for you.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

<p>Why call it the “ghetto way”? Sounds like the unethical suburban way some privileged people may try to save some bucks.</p>