<p>I'm a 22 year old Junior transfer currently at Cal. I have been in California basically since I graduated high school four years ago. I've been living, working and going to school in the state completely independent of my family and was classed as a resident three years ago by my CC and have obtained the Cal Grant the last two years. I chose Berkeley over Columbia because the financial aid was fantastic-- where Columbia had me looking at a very nasty amount of loans. It seemed like a no-brainer at the time. </p>
<p>However, all of that is falling apart as I am fighting with the residency office. I'm already at Cal and don't really know what to do. I'm not gaming the system, I've paid income tax every year I've been here and worked even when I couldn't attend school, only taken out loans in my own name-- kept my own apartment with my own money, paid my own tuition, not gone back to my home state over the summer holiday (obviously I've gone home for Christmas), voted, had my bank accounts and license changed over eons ago (2011). I just don't know what to do. I can't afford the out of State tuition and I'm panicking. Does anyone know if I have any options open to me if I don't win my appeal? I'm so crushed at having to put off my education again (I took two years off in total to work and pay for the first two years). I really don't know if I'll make it through having to leave Cal. I've been distraught and the appeal process might take another six weeks. I can't spend all that time in UHS. </p>
<p>Are your parents claiming you on their taxes? Do you use health insurance from your parents? I understand you are financially independent, but are you linked financially (either truly or just on paper) to your parents in any way?</p>
<p>Has Berkley said exactly what their issue with your residency is?</p>
<p>No taxes for the last three tax years, but I am on my mom’s insurance because she gets it from work-- but only because I’ve been independent since before the ACA went into effect. I couldn’t afford it before that, rent and food come before the doctor (it’s been four years since I’ve even been to a doctor or dentist). </p>
<p>When you’re taking 21 units and trying to transfer, you can’t work a lot. They said the problem was a combination of that and the fact that I worked cash in hand for a few months (house cleaning, dog walking, etc) last semester so that I could focus on school. I’ve filed my federal and CA estimated tax on the income because it IS income, but I don’t have any w2’s or paystubs, so they’re saying they can’t count it as income. </p>
<p>I’m not sure you really have options if the appeal falls through. Perhaps you can try to see if there’s additional FA to cover the out of state fees - I know that’s not likely, but you have nothing to lose by trying. I’m sorry I couldn’t be more helpful. Good luck!</p>
<p>By the time I’m 24 I’ll have been in the state six years. That seems pretty excessive for establishing residency. I talked to financial aid yesterday, they said instead of the Cal grant I can qualify for a Berkeley Grant of 18k (6k more than my original Cal Grant) and an emergency loan of 5k. Which is a drop in the bucket when weighted against out of state fees. I’d still be 5 grand short per semester in tuition, and 12k a year in housing. </p>
<p>I contemplated trying to spring admit somewhere else, but I’m sort of… done. Waiting for the appeal to go through and then I guess we’ll see. I’ll keep you guys posted. </p>
<p>Also, does anyone know anything about the independence override for homeless youth? I can’t afford my housing rent with my financial aid caught in red tape (and all going into the unexpectedly massive tuition bill) and am seriously concerned about getting kicked out next month. Would being kicked out of housing and having nowhere to stay potentially override my “dependency” on my mom? That’s the only silver lining in this. </p>
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