Unique Situation - Dual Residency?

Applying to College
1

<p>So my hometown in is Michigan but I am living with a host family
in Illinois who has legal guardianship of me so I can attend public
school in IL. I will most likely graduate from IL and have taken the
PSAE as required for IL graduates. I have not taken the MI MEAP test.</p>

<p>My questions

  1. would I be concidered in-state or out-of state
    for either IL or MI. </p>

<li><p>Does it only matter if I want to go to a public university?</p></li>
<li><p>What would be the best way to apply for financial aid. My parents
are low income in a rural town but my host family is more affluent and
live in a good Chicago Subburb. </p></li>
</ol>

<p>Any help would be appreciated.
Oh, I am a rising senior</p>

2

<p>I think you should ask those questions to an admission officer at the college(s) you are interested in.</p>

3

<p>Who claims you as a dependent for tax purposes?</p>

4

<p>1) Generally you are considered a resident of the state in which your parents live.
2) Yes, it matters only if you are applying to a public college or university.
3) You don't have a choice - unless your "legal guardians" have actually adopted you, you must report your parents' income and assets.</p>

5

<p>chedva has it correctly -- you are a dependent of your parents and thus a legal resident of Michigan. There is a possibility that you could petition for residency in Illinois if you want to apply as in-state there, but you will most likely be out of state, since your parents don't live in illinois.</p>

<p>Many kids attend boarding schools or live with aunts/uncles/grandparents -- and yet they still remain dependents of their parents and thus have the same permanent residence as their parents regardless of where they attended school.</p>

6

<p>Thanks for your input. That is what we thought but just wanted another opinion. I am most likely going to apply to Private Universities anyway.<br>
But would look at Public U for safeties. Which I guess would have to be MI
but having not taken the MEAP test would not qualify for that Aid. : (
I know I would have a better chance at Financial Aid with my parents, but was unsure if somehow they would look at my guardians as well.
Thanks again</p>

7

<p>Check with the state in question. When I was checking about Virginia residency, this is one passage I found that speaks to who claims you on tax returns. Legal guardianship appears to be enough - I doubt if you have to be adopted. They look at other things like where you register to vote and which state issues your driver's license. </p>

<p>Q: Who can be considered a dependent student?
A: Any student who is listed as a dependent on tax returns of parents or legal guardians or who receives substantial financial support from them.</p>

8

<p>That's the answer to the question "Who is a dependent?" It's not the answer to the question of "Am I a resident for admissions or tuition purposes?" Different question, so it might have a different answer.</p>

<p>The admissions office at the Illinois and/or Michigan schools could answer your question - you should ask them. You could be considered a resident of both!</p>