Can someone explain the residency for tuition purposes process to me? (Davis: 2014, law school)

[philopower]

So I've been accepted at UC Davis Law and I'm considering turning down the offer and reapplying next year so that I can be considered a resident -- specifically to take advantage of the Cal Vet Fee Waiver.

My plan is to move into California this August, spend the year working, and start school August 2016.

I know there are three requirements:

Physical presence - If I arrive August, I should meet the 366 day requirement.
Intent - I'll get a CA drivers license, register to vote, etc.
Financial Independence - I'll be 24 by the time I reapply so financial independence is assumed.

Does this sound like a solid game plan? I just don't want to waste a year and then have it turn out that I am not a resident.

[shooting4life]

It will be harder to get in as a resident. The schools love out of state students because they pay more.

[CA4Now]

Originally Posted by philopower

So I've been accepted at UC Davis Law and I'm considering turning down the offer and reapplying next year so that I can be considered a resident -- specifically to take advantage of the Cal Vet Fee Waiver.

Under that benefit, aren't tuition and fees waived anyway?
https://www.calvet.ca.gov/VetService...ee-Waiver.aspx

[nightlysparrow]

Don't let your parents claim you on your taxes.

[philopower]

Originally Posted by CA4Now

Under that benefit, aren't tuition and fees waived anyway?
https://www.calvet.ca.gov/VetService...ee-Waiver.aspx

Yes but I have to be a resident.

[NinaN]

Call the school and ask the registrars office. They will know for sure.

[Ruth4Truth]

One year of working in-state isn't enough these days, or more people would do it. They've made it more difficult. It's more like you have to work for 2 years, now. Also, the fact that you already applied and were accepted to Law school at a UC might count against you. It could be sued to demonstrate that your intent to relocate was to qualify for in-state tuition.

If you applied to law school as an out-of-state student, you must have had a plan for paying for it...? Did you apply for scholarships and other financial aid?

[marcopolo666]

google can be your friend...

Official UC web page talking all about it : Residency guidelines: Student information | UCOP

It sounds like your impressions are correct.

[marcopolo666]

Oh, and I would ask for a one-year deferment of when you will start attending classes - NOW. Tell the truth, and say that you need a year to be better able to afford University (which is fully true, based on what you said). I don't think that you need to tell them you will be moving to, or working in CA.

I don't know if your acceptance letter/forms specifically say that you are accepted as an out-of-state student or not. If yes, they may be able to deny entrance based on later wanting to attend as a CA resident student. Read the papers you received. If there's no issue with out-of-state, vs. resident, then it would be better to get your start date deferred rather than refuse and re-apply : there's no guarantee they'll accept you again next year. The deferment (if granted) will guarantee you a spot the following year

[nightlysparrow]

Originally Posted by nightlysparrow

Don't let your parents claim you on your taxes.

That means for this year's filing (for 2014), too