Establishing state residency for tuition (Ohio)

[BAMF]

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Hey! I've been looking at the process of establishing Ohio residency since I'll have been living here for 12 months come summer, and I have a couple of questions about the whole process:

- I'm financially dependent on my long-term boyfriend at the moment (who is also not an Ohio resident and is going to go through the process as well). Yes, boyfriend, not husband. Is that okay or do we have to run down to courthouse on our way to get groceries?

- My boyfriend is a freelance web designer and works here in Ohio, pays taxes, bills, etc. here. However, a lot of his regular clients come from California. Would that disqualify us, because it's not technically Ohio money?

I had a couple more questions but am experiencing that wonderful brain fart. I may update this post later. Thanks in advance!

 

[hefe]

If you're going to school in a state institution in Ohio you should be able to do it. This is especially likely after the first 12 months you (yourself) live in Ohio and no one claims you as a dependent.

See threads like this for confirmation:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=519210

I'm not sure your boyfriend will help speed up the process as you two aren't married.

It's honestly best to talk to the fin aid office of wherever you're matriculating.

 

[edmadison]

Great question. First of all, just to correct a point. If you and your boyfriend are not in school, the you are "residents" of the state of Ohio. Legal "residency", know to us lawyers as domicile, is conferred as soon as you step into a state with the intent to remain there indefinitely. Essentially, unless you are living in a hotel room or on a buddy's sofa, you meet the criteria for "indefinite". In such a case, you would need to change you driver's license, tags, car insurance to the new state. Thus, you and your boyfriend should have changed this stuff over a while ago (if you didn't already).

Most states have a provision to protect themselves from opportunistic college students seeking in-state tuition. Generally, there is an exemption period of at least a year, but up to five in the case of Massachusetts. This has been declared legal by the US Supreme Court despite Article IV of the Constitution.

Generally, it is up to the college/university to make the determination as to whether and individual can get in-state tuition/admission preference. In most states, you would be OK, but Ohio seems to have some perculiar rules when it comes to financial independence. Check out the following site:

http://www.ureg.ohio-state.edu/ourweb/more/content/residency/Guidelines_new.htm

I would encourage you to give a call to a state school in Ohio and talk to their admission/financial aid office about this. They can be very helpful. You could even call a undergrad institution and ask them if you were afraid of blowing your cover.

Ed