FAFSA question: Has Student Lived in State for at Least 5 Years?

[kfsa1]

So basically, I was admitted to a medical school as an in-state student (in Michigan). I came to the state for undergrad and have lived here since getting my degree in the year 2009.

Based on these hints/helps of FAFSA, I should say "no" to this question:

-If you select Yes, this state will represent your state of legal residence, which is where you reside and have a true, fixed, and permanent home

-If you moved into this state for the sole purpose of attending a school, do not count this state as your state of legal residence.

For the first, I plan on buying a home but I have been on a lease in the same place for some time...which means technically it is not a fixed, permanent home.

For the second, it is true but I have lived in the state since graduating. Is this tip more-so for people that are currently in college?

I have essentially lived in Michigan since the year 2005 since I've never really gone back home. I have lived in the same apartment since the year 2007.

What would you guys say to this question? I don't want to put "no" because I am afraid this might mean a change in my status from in-state to OOS for my school...but I also don't want to lie? It is so weird how the school considered me in-state but according to FAFSA I might not be?

Thanks guys!

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[mzarrowsmith]

So basically, I was admitted to a medical school as an in-state student (in Michigan). I came to the state for undergrad and have lived here since getting my degree in the year 2009.

Based on these hints/helps of FAFSA, I should say "no" to this question:

-If you select Yes, this state will represent your state of legal residence, which is where you reside and have a true, fixed, and permanent home

-If you moved into this state for the sole purpose of attending a school, do not count this state as your state of legal residence.

For the first, I plan on buying a home but I have been on a lease in the same place for some time...which means technically it is not a fixed, permanent home.

For the second, it is true but I have lived in the state since graduating. Is this tip more-so for people that are currently in college?

I have essentially lived in Michigan since the year 2005 since I've never really gone back home. I have lived in the same apartment since the year 2007.

What would you guys say to this question? I don't want to put "no" because I am afraid this might mean a change in my status from in-state to OOS for my school...but I also don't want to lie? It is so weird how the school considered me in-state but according to FAFSA I might not be?

Thanks guys!

If you moved to Michigan for educational purposes only and never worked a full time job, how were you in-state for admission purposes in the first place? Or did you work since 2007? 2007 is 5 years ago so I don't understand...

 

[Rippy087]

Have you been paying taxes in Michigan for the last 5 years? I think you qualify for in-state. You didn't leave after getting your undergraduate degree.

 

[RomanTaylor]

So between graduation in 2009 and 2013, you lived there, OUT of school, maintaining a residence there? So you live there, pay taxes there, held a job (I am assuming) there, then you should be able to claim residency.

As long as you have a legal document showing all of this, you should be golden. It is my understanding that you have to claim residency with the school, so if they are down with you being in-state, the federal aid will follow suit.

I am no government guy, though, but this is what my understanding is.

 

[kfsa1]

If you moved to Michigan for educational purposes only and never worked a full time job, how were you in-state for admission purposes in the first place? Or did you work since 2007? 2007 is 5 years ago so I don't understand...

Sorry for the confusion. Basically, I came to Michigan for undergrad in 2005 and graduated in 2009. Since then, I have not left the state and worked here/payed taxes - this is why I was considered in-state.

In terms of the year 2007, I started living in an apartment then and not in a dormitory. So, I was essentially "living" in Michigan since then (as opposed to living in a dorm which may not count).

 

[kfsa1]

So between graduation in 2009 and 2013, you lived there, OUT of school, maintaining a residence there? So you live there, pay taxes there, held a job (I am assuming) there, then you should be able to claim residency.

As long as you have a legal document showing all of this, you should be golden. It is my understanding that you have to claim residency with the school, so if they are down with you being in-state, the federal aid will follow suit.

I am no government guy, though, but this is what my understanding is.

Yes. For the first year or so (between May 2009 - August 2010) I was here studying for MCAT/volunteering (I think I have the lease for this but that's it). However, I then started to work from August 2010 - January 2012 full-time and paid taxes. I then went to do a post-bacc from January 2012 - June 2012 in Michigan. Now I'm working again at the same hospital (October 2012 to present).

Should I still answer yes or no for this question....it asks if I have been living in the state for the last 5 years.

 

[mzarrowsmith]

Should I still answer yes or no for this question....it asks if I have been living in the state for the last 5 years.

Yes.

 

[RomanTaylor]

Yes.

Agreed.

 

[kfsa1]

Thank you everyone for your prompt responses. I really appreciate it.