How long does it take to earn state residency (Seattle: credit, school)

[AmbientAlteration]

I am planning on moving to Seattle from Arizona, I know a HUGE difference. I hate the sun and love the rain, and I know it is different but I also have photophobia and am pale. Anyways, lol, I plan on moving there for school and I was wondering how long it would take to make me a citizen of Seattle so that I can take in state college for in state tuition prices?

[70Ford]

Understanding Washington State Residency requirements

[CDMOK]

Thank you for posting this question!

70Ford, that link is a big help. Thanks!

[obsidian97]

Originally Posted by AmbientAlteration

I am planning on moving to Seattle from Arizona, I know a HUGE difference. I hate the sun and love the rain, and I know it is different but I also have photophobia and am pale. Anyways, lol, I plan on moving there for school and I was wondering how long it would take to make me a citizen of Seattle so that I can take in state college for in state tuition prices?

Originally Posted by 70Ford

Understanding Washington State Residency requirements

One thing you should be clear on, you don't have to be here a year to become a resident of the state (i.e. able to vote in Washington state) for purposes other than in-state tuition.

When you establish a permanent residence in the state, you have 30 days to get a Washington State driver's license and switch the plates/tags out on your car (title too).

[CDMOK]

You mean you don't have to wait a year merely to become a resident, right? Because from what I read, it still takes a year to be considered as one for tuition purposes.

From http://www.washington.edu/students/reg/residency.html

To be classified or reclassified as residents, for tuition and fee purposes, students must establish a bona fide domicile in the state of Washington primarily for purposes other than education for the period of one year immediately prior to classification as residents.

... But, in order to establish a bona fide domicile, it does take a year:

From http://www.washington.edu/students/reg/newDomicile.htm

Establishing A Bona Fide Domicile

To establish domicile in the state of Washington, students must provide documentation showing they meet the following guidelines:

1.Students must prove conclusively that they have not come to Washington State primarily for educational purposes. Current guidelines require students who are enrolled for 7 credits or more a quartermust be employed at least 30 hours per weekat a non-student job to overcome the presumption of educational purposes.

2.Live in the state forat least 12 consecutive months as legal residents. A legal resident is an individual who has relinquished all valid legal ties (e.g., driver's license, voter registration, etc.) with their former state of residence and established such ties in Washington in accordance with state and local legislation.

3. Establish legal ties

So, for tuition purposes, doesn't it indeed take a year?

Please correct me if I'm wrong - that would mean nothing but good things financially. : D

[bigtrees]

Obsidian97 was talking about purposes OTHER than for tuition. So he was talking about residency for voting, car licensing, etc. Anything except tuition.

[obsidian97]

Originally Posted by bigtrees

Obsidian97 was talking about purposes OTHER than for tuition. So he was talking about residency for voting, car licensing, etc. Anything except tuition.

Exactly.

[CDMOK]

Gotcha!

[akck]

Originally Posted by CDMOK

You mean you don't have to wait a year merely to become a resident, right? Because from what I read, it still takes a year to be considered as one for tuition purposes.

So, for tuition purposes, doesn't it indeed take a year?

Please correct me if I'm wrong - that would mean nothing but good things financially. : D

A key factor is if you're taking more that 7 credits, you're considered a student and that time doesn't count, unless you're working in a non-student job for 30+ hours per week. The other killer is if you get financial help from out of state parents, you won't meet the requirement. It's pretty much the same requirements for most states.

[aubrians]

So I want to move to Seattle for school from New Mexico, from what I understand I have to show th I want to live there for other reasons other than school? So when and if I do go there id have 30 days to get a Seattle drivers license and change the tags and license plate to Seattle ones and have a job out side of school for one year?