<p>According to the Code of Virginia, one must reside in VA for one year prior to the semester for which they wish to receive in state tuition. The person must make VA his or her official domicile by registering to vote, changing car information, and so on. If I do all this, will I be in state, or is there more to it? A woman in the admissions office at my junior college said that I have to earn $10,300, but according to the Code, that applies only to military and to those who reside outside VA but work in VA. Has anyone else tried to establish residency? If so, please reply or email me, because there's no way I'll be able to afford out of state UVa tuition and this is all confusing because everyone and everything seems to be spewing out contradicting information.</p>
<p>Oh, by the way - I did all the legal stuff in January, like registering to vote, obtaining a VA driver's license, and getting VA license plates on my car. So if all goes well, I'll be in state beginning with the spring '06 semester.</p>
<p>I believe the min is one year, but they may want to see up to two years residency with firm ties to the community. Be prepared to fill out a 6 page questionaire. They hate people moving here just to get in-state.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>It is a necessary but not a sufficient condition to live in VA for a year. By that, I mean it is a requirement, but there are other things you have to do.</p>
<p>If your parents are paying for school, and they live in NC, you might not get in-state tuition. You need to demonstrate (and it is your job to do this) that you intend to stay in VA for more than just educational purposes. For example, if you have a job in VA, and you are going to school (masters) for something relating to that job, you could probably prove that pretty easily.</p>
<p>Agree that you should get firm ties to the community. Do you have family in the state?</p>
<p>They want you to live AND work in Va for one full year prior to going to school and even then the burden of intent is still on you to prove it was not just for educational purposes. During that year--no school.</p>
<p>I agree with Barrons. If you start school in January '06 (which you probably could do), then it would look better. Also, if you have a "real" job, try to tie that in with your application. Point out that you are getting this degree for some purpose related to the job. If you can, work in some field which is specific to Virginia (or maybe DC) - to show that you will be staying around after graduation.</p>
<p>I moved to VA in January ('05) and immediately began attending classes. I worked odd jobs and just began a 20 hr/week job a few weeks ago.</p>
<p>Ariesathena - I do have family in the state...in fact, that is the main reason I came here (free rent, a change, etc). Are you implying that this is a good or bad thing? I would tend to think that it doesn't matter, but I'd love to hear that it is a good thing!</p>
<p>Barrons - do you think that attending school while trying to establish residency will automatically disqualify me from in-state privileges? I agree that it will probably look like I am simply trying to get in-state rates (which is obviously the case). I just find it unfair that not only am I paying OOS rates, I am also not eligible for any scholarships at my junior college, because they are reserved for Virginia residents. I would think that paying OOS rates makes up for the difference in taxes I haven't paid which in-state students have, which would put me on an even playing field.</p>
<p>Oh well...back to the drawing board.</p>
<p>Family in state is GOOD. That shows you want to stay there. You have roots. If all of your family is in Idaho, are you ever going to convince anyone that you really, really love Virginia and want to put down roots in VA, work there, and raise your kids 3,000 miles from their grandparents? (Melodrama, yes - but you get my point.)</p>
<p>If your parents are claiming you as a dependent on their taxes, you may not meet the "domicile" standard. If you're off-campus, have a job (even minimum wage), and have changed everything over, you'll probably get it.</p>
<p>Well, I am off campus and working and have changed everything over...plus, my parents haven't claimed me as a dependent for a few years. The only things I'm worried about are these: I live with family and am not paying any rent. The decision may well rest upon the fact that I am not earning money to support myself, since I am not responsible for paying rent. My other concern is that I moved here a week before the semester began. That'll look like I am not intending to establish permanent residency.</p>
<p>Anyway, I think it will be a close call, however they decide. But as a VA taxpayer for an entire year (come spring '06) I think I am entitled to in-state rates. </p>
<p>Thanks-</p>
<p>Hi there,</p>
<p>Don't give up on your quest to establish Virginia Domicile. I moved to Charlottesville Virginia, worked there for a year, changed my driver's license, bank accounts, voter registration, etc. as soon as I could (I think the same week) when I moved there. The following year I entered Piedmont Virginia Community College at in-state tuition rates and the year after that entered UVA on in-state tuition status. I had no family in Virginia, so it can be done. </p>
<p>If someone at your Junior College said that you had to earn a certain amount, politely ask to speak to a supervisor if one is available. Also, call the UVA admissions office to find out how they determine in-state tuition. </p>
<p>The only thing that you haven't said is, are you considered to be independent for purposes of determining financial aid (24 or older)? That would be the only real roadblock that I can see in terms of establishing Virginia Domicile.</p>
<p>I guess the other issue is, if you aren't making money to support yourself, just how are you making your case that you are a Virginia taxpayer, exactly? I can see that being an issue as well.</p>
<p>Best wishes! UVA is a great school, and I loved every minute of it.</p>
<p>Elizabeth</p>
<p>Well, no, I'm not 24 or older, but I'm close. I am working part time to support myself and am therefore paying taxes. When I filled out the FAFSA, I tried to tell them that I am independent of my parents, but they would hear none of it, because it's just a computer screen with fill-in-the-blanks. Even though my parents don't financially support me, their tax info is on my FAFSA, because the Dept. of Ed. requires that info for it to be processed since I was born after 1980, or whatever year they asked.</p>
<p>Yeah, and I can't believe she told me about the $10,300 requirement, which certainly does not apply to me.</p>