How do you claim in state residence if you don't live there?

Question

Please don't tell me it's illegal...it's because my family can't afford school and the schools I want to go to are in North Carolina but are expensive....can anyone tell me how to do it please!

Answer 1

You can't.  You need to have a legal residence in a state (usually for at least 12 months) to claim residency for the purpose of tuitions.

If you can't afford the schools you want to go to, look into scholarships. Or go to a junior college in your home state for a few years and save up money.

Answer 2

State universities are supported by the taxes of that state's residents. As a "reward" for subsidizing the cost of education for all students, each state provides a lower "in-state" tuition fee for all taxpayers and their children.

States will not allow out-of-state "visitors" to qualify for in-state tuition rates, because that would be a slap in the face to the taxpayers who have 'loyally' supported their state universities for some time.

Different states have different rules, but they're generally all the same.

If you want to qualify as a state resident for tuition purposes you must:

1. Move to the state for some purpose OTHER THAN to pursue an education.

2. Be completely financially independent of your parents. That means you must be able to document sufficient income and/or assets to demonstrate that you are self-sufficient. In some states, your parents aren't even allowed to pay your car insurance bill, if you want to be considered completely financially independent.

3. You must reside in the new state for at least 12 months prior to starting college with the current intent of making that state your permanent home.

This is the one that confuses most students, because states look at certain actions as an indication that you intend to make the state your permanent home, and it seems that many students mistakenly believe that simply doing these things supersedes all of the other requirements.

IF you satisfy the other requirements (see 1 and 2 above), the state will consider getting a driver's license, registering your vehicle, registering to vote and getting a job as evidence that you intend to make the new state your permanent residence.

However, simply doing those things does not make you a state resident.

4. You do not need to remain in the state all the time, but an extended absence is seen as evidence that the new state is not your permanent home. For example, if you return "home" to mom and dad's home every summer, the state will interpret that as evidence that you are not really a state resident.

5. You must be gainfully employed and pay the state taxes that subsidize and support the state university system - after all - that's why in-state residents are given a break on university tuition.

The reality is that out-of-state public universities are a luxury option for those students whose parents can afford to pay tuition fees that are often triple the fees of an in-state university option. While you might wish to attend schools in North Carolina, the state makes it intentionally difficult to qualify as a state resident, and you can only consider a North Carolina school if money is not an obstacle for you.

You probably didn't like reading that, but it's the reality.

Good luck to you.

Answer 3

Have your parents move there for a year and pay taxes.