U.S. citizen living abroad applying as an undergraduate at a university in California

Applying to College
1

<p>I'm a US citizen currently studying in a high school in Mexico as a junior. I moved here with my family about 6 months ago but I would like to study as an undergrad in a university in California. I was born in New York then my family moved and lived in California for 12 years. I speak both English and Spanish fluently. I completed my freshman and half of my sophomore year (with a perfect 4.0 in honors and AP classes) in a high school in the state. At the school I'm currently in, I'm taking all of my classes in English, except for Spanish literature. When I graduate, I will have received my "Título de Bachillerato" (which is equivalent to a high school diploma) and will have taken the DELF, making French my 3rd language. </p>

<p>A few things I was wondering about are:
Considering my situation and achievements, what are my possibilities of being accepted into a UC?;
If I were able to get into a university in California, would I still be considered a resident (and could apply for financial aid as one) since I lived there practically my whole life except the last 2 years and a half? Or would I be considered an international student?;
Would I need to take the TOEFL?;
Which records would I need to submit for evaluation?</p>

2

<p>You’re viable for a wide variety of UCs. Residency: check each campus’ bursar webpage. You’re NOT an international student (lucky for you). No to TOEFL. Records: get your old HS transcripts and whatever record your current school issues.</p>

3

<p>all the UC campuses have web pages discussing residency for tuition purposes.</p>

4

<p>You do not have residency if you cannot answer yes to one of the following</p>

<p>-Have you attended high school in California for at least three years and will graduate or have graduated from a California high school?</p>

<p>-Have you lived in California for the last 12 months?</p>

<p>-If you’re under 18, does your parent or legal guardian live in California?</p>

<p>You can see more details on the website and each UC campus website will have info. They are quite strict because so many people would like residency and not pay the extra 23,000 per year and they want that money. You would have had to stay behind and graduate. You will only be eligible for federal aid.</p>

5

<p>You need to contact each place on your list, and let them know that you are a US citizen being educated abroad. Ask each of them about the TOEFL. It isn’t likely that you will need to take it, but there can be surprises.</p>

<p>Talk with your parents about how they expect you to pay for your education. What you can afford to pay will determine where you actually can attend.</p>

6

<p>I doubt that you would have to take Toefl. You’re a citizen.</p>

<p>You would NOT be instate for Calif. You would not be an int’l. You would be considered to be an OOS student.</p>

<p>You would be charged at least EFC plus $23k per year…plus loans and maybe work study. So, expect to pay for most/all of the costs. </p>

<p>Ask your parents how much they will pay for college. You need that info.</p>

7

<p>You would very likely be considered a domestic US student (due to birth in the US, unless to parents with diplomatic or similar status), but without any state residency (as others have noted, check the specific residency rules for each state university). So you would be eligible for federal aid and any other aid for domestic US students, but not state resident tuition and aid at state universities.</p>

8

<p>Oh alright, thank you so much for your answers. What if I were to move to California and take a gap year and apply for college the year after? Would I be considered a resident after one year of working and living there?</p>

9

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<p>Is your family’s move to Mexico temporary? Do you still keep a residence in CA? Are your parents still CA registered voters? Are they going to file a CA tax return?</p>

<p>If yes, then would contact each UC school and plead for in-state status.<br>
FYI:
<a href=“Higher Education Professionals | College Board”>Higher Education Professionals | College Board;

</p>

10

<p>Start reading:</p>

<p><a href=“http://registrar.berkeley.edu/Registrar/residency.html”>http://registrar.berkeley.edu/Registrar/residency.html&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“http://registrar.berkeley.edu/establish.html”>http://registrar.berkeley.edu/establish.html&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“UC Legal - Office of the General Counsel | UCOP”>UC Legal - Office of the General Counsel | UCOP;