Changing domicile while overseas?

[thelarson]

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I'm currently an Ohio resident, but right now I think Colorado State is my #1 choice for vet school. However, I'm planning to do animal husbandry work in the Peace Corps before vet school (a 27-month commitment). Does anyone know if you can establish domicile/residency in a new state while overseas? For example, if I changed my driver's license, vehicle registration, voter registration, bought/rented property in CO, etc. a month or two before I leave for the Peace Corps, would I be considered a CO resident by the time I get back, since it's more than 12 months later, or would I have to actually physically live in CO for 12 more months after returning?

I currently go to Michigan State for undergrad, and I know the state of Michigan has an agreement that if you serve in the Peace Corps but move to MI within 90 days of ending your service, you are considered in-state for tuition purposes.

Thanks!

 

[cowgirla]

I'm currently an Ohio resident, but right now I think Colorado State is my #1 choice for vet school. However, I'm planning to do animal husbandry work in the Peace Corps before vet school (a 27-month commitment). Does anyone know if you can establish domicile/residency in a new state while overseas? For example, if I changed my driver's license, vehicle registration, voter registration, bought/rented property in CO, etc. a month or two before I leave for the Peace Corps, would I be considered a CO resident by the time I get back, since it's more than 12 months later, or would I have to actually physically live in CO for 12 more months after returning?

I currently go to Michigan State for undergrad, and I know the state of Michigan has an agreement that if you serve in the Peace Corps but move to MI within 90 days of ending your service, you are considered in-state for tuition purposes.

Thanks!

One of my friends is a Colo resident. She lived there for three years, then went away to school on the East Coast. She NEVER changed her residency from Colorado, and yet, Colo didn't consider her instate for vet school because she had not physically been in the state for the twelve months prior to admission. She ended up moving back there, living there for the twelve months, finding a job, and then reapplying so she could get the in state tuition.

So I'm not sure what they would say if you had never technically lived there...there might be a loophole for the Peace Corp, but I don't know.

 

[Marsala]

I think that when it comes to residency, you have to physically live in the state you want residency in, and usually this entails holding a full-time job in that state for at least 12 months. Maybe Colorado has an exception...but I wouldn't put money on it.

 

[bunnity]

Residency laws are very variable by state, so what works in one state may not work in another. Your best bet would be looking the CO laws up or asking CSU.

 

[thelarson]

just in case anyone's curious, I called CSU today and you do have to physically live in CO for 12 months before gaining residency - apparently no exceptions, even for those devoting 2+ years of your life to serve others overseas. 🙁

 

[gracietiger]

Hi,
I did the Peace Corps (congrats on your decision - have fun!). I was not able to change residencies from the state where I had lived and worked previously (Wyoming) when I moved to CA. I had to physically reside in CA for a year before I could do that. Your best bet would be to live in Colo when you return from the PC for a year before applying.

I'd like to add that based on my experiences, there is a very, very good chance you won't even be wanting to dive back into school immediately upon returning from the PC. Adjusting is not easy, and most people find it is easiest to adjust by continuing to live quasi Peace Corps like for a year after returning to the States.