Moving out of state for college and tuition?

Question

Okay so i am thinking about transfering to an out of state college, but the tuition rate is extremely high. I am thinking of moving over there next summer and get a full time job and work for a full year before my junior year to gain residency so tuition will be 3 times less. And during this time, i will be taking a couple of courses just so i won't lose track of schooling. I know this should be solely my own decision. But, i still want to know what does everyone think about this? Do you think this is a good idea?

If i just go there the first year, costs will be around 25K and on top of that, i heard gaining residency is not as easy as it sounds during your first year there. So there could be a chance that i won't be approved and then having to pay 2 years of out of state tuition.

Answer 1

The laws regarding residency are very complicated and differ from state to state.  Yes there is a chance you could do all the above things you mentioned and still not gain residency... plus you'd have the "added" benefit of not being able to come home and go back to school with your in-state costs.

The reason it is so difficult is there is an "intent" factor in determining residency as well as physically living in the state. If your intent is to come to this state to go to school, then no matter how long you've lived there they can deny you.  Being self supporting can also be a problem for dependent students as well.  Simply working full time does not necessarily make you self supporting.  Also,  some states require you to be classified as "independent" on the fafsa... which most can't do if you are under 24 years old.  

Whatever you do, do not take the decision lightly and be prepaired to pay out of state fees anyway (or live there a lot longer than you anticipated) in case your plan backfires.

Answer 2

Seriously, on your application tell them you're an illegal alien, or whatever the PC term is, and you'll get in-state tuition.  You can save thousands of dollars.