<p>Hi, I kind of have a unique situation. I graduated from high school 2 years ago and just have been working a couple different jobs since. Now after doing so I realize that a college education is very important. Anyway, my question is regarding financial aid and if I have a good shot at some money. Well the thing is my grades weren't the greatest in high school but I know I can do better, but the reason I stated that is because my only choice pretty much is starting at a CC, which isn't that bad really. But the thing is my family just moved to another state very recently and for the CC I'm applying to I won't be able to make residency status, forcing the fees to be much much higher. On top of that my dad retired to move down here because it was too expensive to continue living up there being retired. So basically i'm not a resident of this state, and my parents are retired with most likely not all that much money saved up in the bank either. He retired more or less due to health problems. I know my mom is always complaining about dental bills and how without insurance anymore she has to pay out of her own pocket. Even up until we did move she had only worked as a jr. high assistant cook for 3 hours a day with no benefits. I'm going to apply for loans and work study because I have to somehow get started in school, but do you guys think I'm in a situation to go and talk to a financial advisor about what's goin on with me to maybe be considered to have unusual expenses (non-resident fees on top of financial situation) to maybe alter expenses a little? I've done all the research I can and I'm applying for the fafsa tomorrow for fall quarter at the CC. For anybody who read this and is kind enough to provide any input, I would seriously be appreciative. Thank you.</p>
<p>How long will it take to become a resident? Why don't you just work a bit longer while you establish residency. Save your money so you can really take advantage of going to college and perhaps not have to work at the same time that you're taking classes.</p>
<p>And had seriously considered that, however I've been here (Utah if anyone was curious, from Seattle) for less than a month and the required time is 2 years for residency status. Like I had stated I already have taken a couple years off and am almost 21 so another 2 years would put me at 23 and if I go through with what I want to do I'll be in school for at the very least 6-7 years. Plus I'm now very zealous now and 2 years is seriously a long time just to wait to go to school. Also any job that i could "just find" here would pay dramatically less than up in Wa. however even with all of that considered, your suggestion is still a possibility as reluctant as I am to say that. Regardless I thank you for your reply.</p>
<p>Just grasping at straws here: You're a resident of SOME state. Why don't you just go to school there? Would that be a possibility?</p>
<p>I technically would be a resident of Washington state I suppose...well, just not of Utah according to the CC here. I could have stayed up there and lived on my own, but it would have been a lot more difficult of a situation. Rent is incredibly expensive in the suburbs of Seattle. I know my situation kinda sucks. I may have failed to mention though that I can obtain residency status by attending the CC for something like 60 semester hours, then after that I would just pay resident fees.</p>
<p>Because your parents moved to Utah with the intent of making that state their residence, and you are their dependent for college financial purposes, I do not believe that the 2 year rule applies. That rule is for kids who move to Utah solely for the purpose of going to school there and wanting to get the lower state tuition. I believe section 4.2.3.1 of the residency code for Utah would address your situation. You need to call a college in Utah, and specifically ask about your situation, but I think if your parents now live there, have drivers licenses there, are registered to vote there, have registered their car there, are receiving their retirement checks there, it is not going to be an issue. Good luck to you.</p>
<p>jamimon, by that post you have possibly just saved me from a ton of stress. I'll get on calling about that ASAP. Where did you even come up with that information? If you hadn't brought that to my attention I would have just assumed that I was considered a non-resident. Listen, even if this is not the case, I wanna thank you for trying to help me out. But again, where did u get this, ill try to read into it more..</p>
<p>If you are a dependent for financial aid purposes which you are if you are not 24- not married- no dependents and not formerly in military- you are assumed to be dependent of your parents- which means that you are a resident of what ever state they file their taxes in. It does get a bit more complicated if they are divorced and have joint custody- but it doesn't sound like that is your circumstance</p>
<p>Panalo, just google >Utah residency college student< and any other such combos It gives you a site that goes into every little detail of Utah residency including that specific section that addresses those who move to Utah to live, like your parents did. Most states have very ornerous residency requirements that are focused on kids who are trying to get state residency soley to pay the lower state tuition, and the 2 year requirement that UTah has is actually more generous than some provisions I have seen. When familes make a move, it is a different story. Most of the time the requirement is to do all the things you do to become a resident-the lease, house purchase, paper work, and some states require a tax return to be filed before you can take advantage of the college in state tuition, which may mean a partial year of paying out of state rates or waiting out that part of the year.</p>
<p>Hey again. So I've read up on the determination of residency status for the state of Utah, and you guys might be right. I might be able to claim residency. Now the closest thing I could find to my specific situation that the list had to offer was this:</p>
<p>4.1.3.1. Rebuttal of Non-Resident Presumption for Spouse's or Parent's Full Time Work - A spouse or dependent child of an individual who establishes his or her domicile in Utah to work on a full-time permanent basis, is immediately eligible to register as a resident student. The spouse or dependent child must demonstrate objective evidence of domiciliary intent as provided in paragraph 4.1.2.2. </p>
<p>It says who establishes his or her domicile in Utah to WORK on a full time basis, however my parents are retired, but have established their domicile here permanantly. Hopefully I'll get a break there. Ultimately though there's an application for resident classification that I'll probably have to fill out that asks a bunch of questions and at the end has a letter of intent to be filled out explaining why I think I should be considered a Utah resident. The thing is now I don't know what order to start. I have yet to fill out the fafsa, and will do it online because it's faster. However the "recommended deadline" for guaranteed aid is April first. Should I get this whole residency status thing figured out before I fill out the fafsa? It says it takes 7-10 days for the residency application to be processed. Most of all though I hope I can be classified as a resident. Thanks for all the help guys.</p>