joyjoybear

I am a perment resident, and currently paying in-state tuition in california community college. My parents who are also perment residents, but they used to live in New York. They left the US for few years and I am the only one in the family to stay in California. I am now 22 yr old. Am I still a dependent? I heard from others that I have to pay out-state tuition fee...... that's going to be so expensive. Is that true? Is there anyway to solve this problem? It's so werid since I am paying in-state tuition in CC, and have to pay out-state in UC??

fijeeboi

Just because you pay in-state at CC doesn't mean you're going to pay in-state at a UC. My CC didn't even verify residency information. You can bet that UC will though. They want their money.

milk242

You are dependent if your parents claim you as dependent on their tax forms. I think UCs have some residency exceptions. You might also want to ask your parents if they still pay any taxes to the state of California if they do then I think you'll be okay

joyjoybear

My parents have never been living in California, and they did not file any tax either....

They are working in HongKong, and I dont work in here, we didn't file any tax in California, so I was not able to file FAFSA.

How to pay for such a huge amount of tuition fee?

mobilemayhem

You can prove yourself to be financially independent if you have been working for 2 solid years. If not, then because you are under the age of 24 they will consider you to be a dependent and you will have to pay non-resident fees.

Mathtransfer

"You can prove yourself to be financially independent if you have been working for 2 solid years."

I have worked for over 9 solid years, paid for my own apartment and filed my own taxes (no one else claimed me). I was still NOT considered independant even at a cc. Being financially independant will not make you an independant student.

The only way you can be declared independant is:
1. you are married
2. you are 24+ years old
3. you are working on a graduate degree
4. you have dependants
5. your parents are deceased or you were a ward or dependant of the court
6. You are currently serving on active duty (training excluded)
7. You are a veteran

TipTopT

honestly, if you don't work here either you're very independently wealthy or your parents are supporting you from hong kong meaning youre not independent. Thus meaning if youre a dependent whos parents do not live in california...you are out of state.

cost [based on ucla]:
$27,452 (tuition) + $15,273 (cost of living) + $1,551 (books) = $44,276/year

good luck

thatgirltoo

It may be that "independent" in the eyes of FAFSA/Financial Aid and CA residency mean two different things. Yes, for financial aid, you are not considered independent until you have met one of those 7 requirements. However, for the CA residency requirement, you might be considered independent if your parents have not claimed you on their U.S. income taxes for the past two years (or maybe less/more). They will have to submit their income tax returns or some kind of proof showing that they do not claim you on their taxes or support you financially, and you'll also have to submit your income tax returns.

joyjoybear

I am not working, and I did not file any tax returns.........I am under 24, single..............sigh**** so basically I have to pay out of state tuiton fee.

Mathtransfer: so you also have to pay out of state tuition fee?

Do you guys have any idea to get money for college? such as loan with low interest rate?

Thanks for all of u~

Hongda

TipTopT, are you sure? On my provisional award letter, it states:
UCLA Costs
Registration Fees & Health Insurance $8,268
Books and Supplies + $1,551
Living Expenses + $15,273

Total UCLA Cost = $25,092

Gift Aid
Scholarship Recognition Award $13,244

Total Gift Aid = $13,244


Net UCLA Costs
UCLA Costs $25,092
Gift Aid - $13,244

Total Net Cost = $11,848

Meeting Net Cost

Total Student's Share = $9,025

Federal Work Study $3,000
Federal Stafford Loan + $3,975
Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan + $1,525
Federal Perkins Loan + $525

Total Parent's Share = $2,823

Parent PLUS Loan + $2,823

Total Net Cost Aid = $11,848

Total Gift Aid $13,244
Total Net Cost Aid + $11,848

Total Estimated Aid = $25,092


You said, "$27,452 (tuition)." I am kind of confused. California residents do not need to pay tuition fees or just $8,800?

Premed4life

$44,276/year.....WOWOWOWOW

I thought I was paying through the teeth, and im in state

Hongda

If you are an in-state student, you only need to pay around $25,092

Premed4life

yeah, thats about right ^

TipTopT

My report says the cost for ucla is like $25k but thats b/c im in-state. If you are considered a California resident the tuition and fees equal about $8,000.

If you're out-of-state your tuition and fees alone are $27k alone plus all the other things like books and housing.

who knows joyjoybear...you may be considered a california resident.