<p>I’ll give a general response about ANY state college (not just MT ones)…</p>
<p>It would be very hard for your child/student to claim in state residency after a year attending an out of state school. A lot of proof is needed and the requirements are ones you may not wish to meet or be able to meet. (imagine if everyone who went to college out of state to a state university could claim in state residency!) </p>
<p>I believe a student would have to show bills addressed to him/her in that state for at least 12 months, rental leases or mortgages in that state, proof of payment of local and state taxes in that state, and…proof that your child has attained financial independence over a specified amount of time such as one or two years (including pay stubs or other verification of income), and proof of making the new state his/her permanent residence. I believe this is all difficult to prove for someone under age 24. The parents’ state of residence and where they pay taxes is typically what counts.</p>
<p>This all differs from state to state but typically if you are out of state when you start college, then you are presumed to be a resident of where your parents live regardless of how long you spend in college. You also need continuous residency for a year during which you live in the new state. The student has to prove that their parents are no longer supporting them in college or otherwise. None, zilch. The student also has to provide other indications of residency such as a job, renting, voters card, driver’s license. Often, none of that time actually spent in college is counted toward that one year during which you establish residency. So, the student would have to live at least one year financially independent and NOT in school in that new state before enrolling. As an aside, the student also would no longer be a deduction on the parents’ tax returns or covered under their health insurance policy or auto insurance policy. </p>
<p>Typically, you qualify for in-state tuition 12 months after establishing residency in the new state, and if you’re a dependent student, that means that your parents must move and establish the new state residency themselves. And in most states, if the student becomes financially declared independent, he/she cannot enroll in college during that 12-month period of establishing his/her residence in the new state.</p>
<p>Generally speaking, it is rare to get in state residency at a college where you do not reside prior to applying and where your parents do not reside.</p>
<p>[I cross posted with Kat, and haven’t viewed her helpful link yet]</p>