<p>@LanaHere - I disagree with mom2collegekids, but it is just an opinion. There is no way to really predict how a unique student like your daughter will do in an environment like CWRU. Heck, if it turns out that mom2collegekids is right and it is clear after freshman year she is in over her head, she can transfer to your state school and you will save buckets of money. It isn’t like her initial decision is irrevocable. If it looks like she is succeeding admirably, then great. You made the right decision.</p>
<p>@whenhen - I have to disagree that establishing Missouri residence is that simple for an undergrad. Look at all the points. The two key ones that stand out to me are</p>
<p>A) the student can’t be outside the state of Missouri more than 14 days in the summer. So she would have to pay for room and board for the summer on top of the other expenses she is incurring, not to mention missing time with her family most students enjoy. Perhaps a summer job would cover that expense, perhaps not.</p>
<p>B) This is the big one. The parents would no longer be able to claim her as a deduction on their taxes. For most families, this would be a financial hit as well, so that just adds to the burden.</p>
<p>The student also has to earn at least $2,000 during the year, but presumably that is not too high a barrier. The other requirements are fairly trivial, but the two I highlight do strike me as not being “quite easy”.</p>