Oh boy - I am going through this situation right now with UCLA, but it is the different scenario than OP.
First, @BelknapPoint is right in every way but OP is trying to ignore and believe what he wants to believe.
I immigrated to California in 2013, join community college, my parent went back to the country. I am pretty much financially independent since 2014 …i;e. I work, pay taxes, file taxes (Fed and CA) for two years now, paying rent , have my own car etc. Well, at least I think I am financial independnce but UC does not.
UCLA rejected my residency, I appealed no result yet.
OP, Just so you know Financial dependencies very hard to prove for residence fee purpose.
You need to show you live here for not only educational purpose but settling down here and show the intention that you are going to live in CA.
To prove financial independence, you have to show your income and expense (budget) how you did and how you are going to do. Also show CA file tax return for 2 years.
Bottomline, IMO, OP will be not qualified for residency for tuition purpose. It means he has to pay $26,000 through the private loan or work and pay. Furthermore, it is hard to get the private loan,nobody will give you loan unless someone with high-income ready to do cosign the document. So only option is to have that money ready.