How hard is it for an out of stater?

[poserbruin]

<p>Here is a topic that offers more details on the subject:</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/uc-transfers/1094700-out-state-community-college-uc.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/uc-transfers/1094700-out-state-community-college-uc.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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It’s incredibly difficult to establish residency when you are a dependent. The amount of money you would need to make would probably disqualify you for Pell Grant completely (especially with $10k in your own savings). The main grant aid available for the UCs (Cal Grants) is only for those who graduated high school as California residents. Even if you could be granted residency for tuition purposes, you would likely not receive anywhere near enough money to cover the COA (especially considering the money you would have to make to be considered independent would disqualify you for most federal entitlement grants).</p>

<p>The real difficult piece is proving intent to stay that do not involve academic reasons. They can reject your request for residency for tuition purposes if they have any reason to believe that you came to California only for school.</p>

<p>While yes, it’s possible to gain residency for tuition purposes, it is, as I mentioned, purposefully made to be extremely difficult and you are highly unlikely to ever achieve it. If you were already an independent for financial aid purposes, then you would be able to much more easily establish residency. I would not set your hopes on being able to accomplish something like this and to make sure you have other options available. And, even if you did get residency, you’re looking at some fairly hefty loans since you would not qualify for Cal Grant.</p>

<p>And no, your previous earnings will not count as financial independence. Besides the fact paying income taxes has nothing to do with financial independence, it is likely your parents claimed you as a dependent on their taxes as their provided more than 50% of your support. Your parents must not claim you for two years on their income taxes and you must be 100% financially independent. Note that loans do not count as financial independence either (even if you do not have a cosigner).

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