In order to receive resident tuition (University of Hawaii at Manoa)...?

Question

I am living in a different state than the college I plan on attending next fall (University of Hawaii at Manoa). The tuition for non-residents is about $8,000, while for residents is about $3,000. It says on the website that it takes a year after establishing residency to receive resident tuition, but in the meantime, you could only take 5 credits per semester. I know that will leave me WAY behind. It doesn't say whether if you do that if you get the resident tuition, but I assume it is. Could I pay non-resident tuition my freshman year while I am establishing residency and then start paying resident tuition my sophomore year?

I was also wondering if I could get my boyfriend's parents (who I will be living with while I'm in college) to become my legal guardians (they are residents of Hawaii) so then I would automatically become a resident myself and get resident tuition, or is that not possible? (I will be 18 by the time I go to college).

I'm sorry, I'm just really confused about all of this and I'm feeling uneasy. I don't know how I'm going to pay for all of this. My parents said they won't be able to help much and I know financial aid probably won't help much, either. And, I don't go back to school for a few weeks so I can't exactly ask my guidance counselor about any of this right now.

Answer 1

Residency issues are tricky.  For the fine print details of what would qualify as being a resident for that particular college you should contact the financial aid office of that school.  I know it seems daunting but if you are polite and earnest about really wanting to go to that school the financial aid office will try and work with you.  

If you cannot become a resident of the state in time to start school you should still be able to qualify for federal government student loans.  If you qualify as an independent student (check the rules for your situation) or as a dependent student (most likely) than you can borrow up to $9,500 per year.  Best of luck!