applying for California Resident classification, help

[NewKidin2block]

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I started a graduate program in California in fall 2006, and my department want me to become a CA resident or else I pay the non-resident tuition out of my packet.

So I file CA tax return, vote during governor election,have one year old banking accounts. But I didn't get a California ID card until this summer?

Did anyone got rejected for Cal residency because they did not obtain the ID card?

 

[Nevadanteater]

As an undergraduate getting california residency was near-impossible for me. If I remember correctly you need to earn enough money while in california to be considered 'self-sufficient' - this was something around 20,000/year (a few years ago). Now the money you're getting from the graduate program might be considered income and could be used for this cause, but i'm not sure.

It really is a monetary issue with residency in California, not a documents issue.

 

[NewKidin2block]

I feel the universities are now more stringent in granting resident status. Several of my classmates got rejected because they did not vote during the governor's election, but they got everything else in on time.

I voted, file the CA tax return, have one year old bank account, and make my CA address my permanent address, but I just don't have the CA ID card yet.
The thing that really bother me is they required the student to get the driver license or California ID WITHIN 10 DAYS they arrived at California, and I still haven't receive my ID card in mail yet. I won't be taking classes the coming quarter, and I am not sure if I can make myself a part-time graduate student to reduce the tuition

As an undergraduate getting california residency was near-impossible for me. If I remember correctly you need to earn enough money while in california to be considered 'self-sufficient' - this was something around 20,000/year (a few years ago). Now the money you're getting from the graduate program might be considered income and could be used for this cause, but i'm not sure.

It really is a monetary issue with residency in California, not a documents issue.

 

[Foghorn]

Don't you need to live in CA for 24 consecutive months in order to be considered a state resident for academic purposes?

 

[NewKidin2block]

12 consecutive months is fine, but you need to do a lot of things (vote, paying CA income tax, not leaving California during school break, make your permanent address to be in California, close-off your non-CA bank account, and finally obtained a California driver license/ID within 10 days you arrived at California)

Don't you need to live in CA for 24 consecutive months in order to be considered a state resident for academic purposes?

 

[Foghorn]

12 consecutive months is fine, but you need to do a lot of things (vote, paying CA income tax, not leaving California during school break, make your permanent address to be in California, close-off your non-CA bank account, and finally obtained a California driver license/ID within 10 days you arrived at California)

The 12 months is for graduate school then?

I think you ending up paying for tuition depends on the type of program. For a PhD track, the tuition is usually waived and you receive enough for a stipend from the university/college for rent and living amenities. The cost to the university for endowing you the stipend is offset by you applying and receiving training/fellowship grants from various resources. If you don't earn a grant, there's departmental money to subsidized stipends for grad students. If it's a Master's program, you'll end up paying for the tuition and don't get a stipend. That's how it is for the UCs and, typically, for private academic institutions.

 

[NewKidin2block]

My department only going to pay for the tuition at Cal-resident rate. They will pay the $9000 Cal resident tuition, but if I fail to gain Cal residency, then I have to pay $15000 per year for non-resident tuition and fee.

QUOTE=Foghorn;5551680]The 12 months is for graduate school then?

I think you ending up paying for tuition depends on the type of program. For a PhD track, the tuition is usually waived and you receive enough for a stipend from the university/college for rent and living amenities. The cost to the university for endowing you the stipend is offset by you applying and receiving training/fellowship grants from various resources. If you don't earn a grant, there's departmental money to subsidized stipends for grad students. If it's a Master's program, you'll end up paying for the tuition and don't get a stipend. That's how it is for the UCs and, typically, for private academic institutions.[/QUOTE]

 

[GottaLuvIt]

How do you go about obtaining a CA state id? Just sign up at the DMV?

 

[Foghorn]

How do you go about obtaining a CA state id? Just sign up at the DMV?

Yes. It's better if you call to make an advance appointment and not have to wait through the long lines. You'll need to present a government issued picture ID for proof, either a passport or a license from another state will do.

You can find a field office nearest you here. The appointment page is here.