The easiest way to get residency by far is to get married. Then you’ll automatically be independent. Not necessarily recommending this path, but it’s at least worth thinking about. You wouldn’t be the only one to do it:
I think that matchmaking and marriage advice go beyond what was requested in the OP.
Let’s keep to advice that doesn’t require changes in legal status
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Lol the mod’s comment is quite funny but your recommendation isn’t one that’s totally out of the question for me! I’ve thought about it, but it’s a last resort’s last resort haha
I’m sorry to burst your bubble but:
- You cannot afford the California schools.
- You won’t be able to establish residency.
- Your family may not qualify for private loans.
- the quarter system at the UCs can be brutal.
The UC’s are going to run you about $70k per year. Financial aid would come from a Pell Grant or loan. Since you are NOT a resident, you do not qualify for California grants and scholarships.
Pell grants have a max of $7400 per year.
A Federal loan runs $5500 per year.
That’s $12900 if you qualify for that.
Now add your family contribution of $10k. Total 
$22,900 for freshman year.
You need another $47k. Where is that coming from?
To establish residency, you need to work full time and NOT attend a public State or community college for at least 366 days.
You must pay market rate rents and cannot accept funds from family or friends. The university Residency Offices will ask you for proof of income, paid California State taxes and living expenses. You cannot live with family or friends who are helping to reduce your living expenses.
If you attend a CC or university, it will be assumed that you have arrived to California for educational purposes and you will be charged full fees.
Loan companies base your loan amount on your family income, collateral and personal property values to approve a loan value. If you need more money, during Junior year, they may say, sorry, you don’t have any significant collateral left and you won’t be able to fund your last year.
The quarter system is 10 weeks. It is brutal for nonresidents who haven’t been exposed to a quarter system like the California HS students have experienced.
Please consider your future self and go somewhere affordable.
Our rents are ~$3k per month (1BR) with first and last month’s rent. How will you find a job that pays a minimum of $3k (rent only) after taxes, per month without a degree?
While I understand the rest of your post, I don’t get this. Firstly many (most?) CA high schools are on semesters not quarters. And my kids have found a 10 week quarter can be easier, because it’s only really difficult material for the last 2-3 weeks before finals. Then you start again for the next quarter. So you only need to learn 9 weeks of classes for the final not 14 weeks worth. And so long as you don’t slack at the start of term, you can’t get too far behind.
Our county HS districts, in my city, prepare our students for the transition to our California public universities with 10 week courses to acclimate the students to quarters.
One of our daughter’s indicated that some freshman students, in her tutoring sessions, from OOS, had issues with procrastinating at the beginning of the quarters. The issues of being away from home and adjusting to the newness of the environment, seemed to impact some students with their introduction to the quarter system. I believe this student is double majoring? Unless I got that part wrong.
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