<p>Actually, it is not about an independent student (though the tax filing stuff would help you to become independent). I think Charlie, like most OOS students, is probably coming to PA for the purpose of his education:
PENNSYLVANIA CLASSIFICATION
A student shall be classified as a Pennsylvania resident for tuition purposes if that student has a Pennsylvania domicile and that student’s presence in Pennsylvania is not primarily for educational purposes. Domicile is a person’s existing and intended fixed, permanent, and principal place of residence. A student whose presence in the Commonwealth is primarily for educational purposes shall be presumed to be a non-Pennsylvania resident for tuition purposes. The following are considerations that may be used by the University in determining whether a student is a resident for tuition purposes:</p>
<p>A student under the age of 21 is presumed to have the domicile of his/her parent(s) or legal guardian(s), unless the student has maintained continuous residence in the Commonwealth for other than educational purposes for a period of at least 12 months immediately prior to his/her initial enrollment at The Pennsylvania State University, and, the student continues to maintain such separate residence.
A student who has resided in the Commonwealth for other than educational purposes for at least a period of 12 months immediately preceding his/her initial enrollment at The Pennsylvania State University is presumed to have a Pennsylvania domicile.</p>