<p>You need to sit down with one of the FAFSA calculators (there are good ones at [FinAid</a>! Financial Aid, College Scholarships and Student Loans](<a href=“http://www.finaid.org%5DFinAid”>http://www.finaid.org) and at [College</a> Calculators - savings calculators - college costs, loans](<a href=“College Board - SAT, AP, College Search and Admission Tools”>http://www.collegeboard.com/student/pay/add-it-up/401.html) ) and run the numbers for both scenarios. You also need to consider all of the legal/financial consequences of having your grandmother become your legal guardian. How much money will it cost for her to support you during your last year of HS? What about your health insurance, etc.? Who will be responsible for helping you pay for your college education? You will probably need specialized legal advice on this issue.</p>
<p>You also need to investigate the financial aid policies at the colleges/universities that you are considering. If you can become a CA resident, will you actually be able to afford the CA university that you are interested in? How likely are your chances of admission there? If you are an OR resident will you be able to afford any of the colleges/universities in OR, and which ones are likely to admit you?</p>