Florida born and raised but... non-resident :-(

[timephone]

Hey all!

So I'm a non-trad (28 years old, MA in social sciences) who's been living abroad for the last 4 years.

I was born, raised, and educated entirely in Florida. Now that I'm pursuing some pre-med pre-reqs I figured I'd return to my hometown in FL, live w/ my mom for a year and hammer out some of those classes with that sweet sweet $200/credit hour in-state tuition.

...Only, it looks like I might not qualify for in-state tuition rates.

It seems I'm in a bit of a gray area. There are no specific rules regarding residency classification that apply to me. 90% of the criteria specify maintaining legal residence in Florida--which I have! All of my US tax returns are filed with a FL address, I maintain a FL bank account, credit cards registered in FL, etc. I have made no financial or legal ties with any other state. In addition, this school is where I earned my MA, so I'm an alumnus.

PROBLEMS: I've seen one rule stating that Florida residency is dependent on "physical presence" in Florida for 12 consecutive months leading up to matriculation. Obviously I can't satisfy that requirement. Also, I am lacking other supporting documents:
--No current FL/USA drivers license
--No current FL voter registration
--No current FL vehicle registration

What are my chances of obtaining a FL resident classification? I'm an alumnus of the school in question, I've never lived in another US state, and every legal tie I have in the US is linked to Florida.

The difference in tuition is huge...I'm planning on taking 55 credits (core pre-reqs plus stats, calc, microbio, etc.) so for in-state that's about $11k, and out-of-state nearly $40k.

But I have no cheaper option. Private school post-baccs charge more than $30k in tuition alone. HES would be about $12k but I'd need private loans to sustain the cost of living. My living costs will be very low at home. Additionally I'd be studying in FL as a 2nd degree student, so I'd be eligible for way more federal loans.

Anyone have any experience with residency classification boards? I think worst case I have to register for summer classes as a non-resident, pay the tuition, then press my case hard before Fall semester. (I'm out of the country until about one week before classes start)

Anyway long-winded post, thanks for making it to the end.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Goro]

Sorry to hear of this, but at least, in thinking ahead, you have significant ties to FL, and so when it comes time to apply to med school, have every FL school on your list!

 

[Apollo1]

From what I recall when I re-enrolled, residency was based on the physical domicile. Use the time establishing residency to work, shadow and volunteer. It won't kill your chances to push back the start date by +/- a year.

 

[QofQuimica]

Agree. I was going to say, geez, dude(tte), just wait another year so you can establish residency! Besides saving money on the post bac, you're talking about saving six figures' worth of med school loans by becoming a state resident, not to mention massively increasing your odds of admission since all of our state schools heavily protect their seats for state residents. Go to the DMV website right now and register for a driver's license appointment for the first week you get back to FL if your mom's county offers that option. (Most counties do.) You can fill out the voter registration form online and turn that in while you're at your DMV appointment too. Getting a driver's license by May means you can get in-state tuition rates starting next summer. In the meantime, get a FT job here in FL for the next year, save up the money to pay for your post bac classes out of pocket, kiss your mom's feet (ok, maybe not literally!) for letting you live with her while you do all this premed stuff, and don't take out any loans until you get to med school, which is when you'll really need them.

 

[wholeheartedly]

Were you doing military service or anything?

I think this one might be worth a call to the school. If you've never lived in another state but maintained US citizenship, then really the only state you could be a resident of is FL. It's worth a shot.

 

[timephone]

Were you doing military service or anything?

I think this one might be worth a call to the school. If you've never lived in another state but maintained US citizenship, then really the only state you could be a resident of is FL. It's worth a shot.

Thanks, I will get in touch and try to press my case. Not doing military service.

I've been teaching English in Asia and generally just traveling. To be honest I don't want to live in Florida at all, and I'd love to relocate to another US locality. But the advantages of going back to FL are:

--Familiarity with the area
--Networking via family with area physicians and organizations
--FL residency when it comes time to med school applications. I'd prefer to attend out of state (regardless of the cost), but getting into University of Florida or Miami would still be A DREAM
--After gaining residency for tuition it's the cheapest I could pay per credit for the classes I need