Independent Classification Question

[russellang]

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I am 24 and will be applying to vet school next year. I was planning on moving to the state with a program in order to get in state rates. I still have to call them but on their website the school says I have to work full time and be completely financially independent for a year when i apply in order to obtain residency. However, there would be very little chance I could find a job that pays me that well and would need assistance from my parents. Which is true, I have been out of undergrad for over a year and have never found a full time job nor one that pays well, only part time jobs. My question is what happens then? I cannot be classified as dependent anymore but I also cannot support myself. If you cannot be classifed as niether, can I just not apply to the school? I guess I dont see how any school, especially in this economy, can expect applicants to have worked one full year in a full time job and be totally financially independent. Lets say I had lived in this state all my life, lived with my parents in that state and can only find part time positions at 24. I guess I am just very confused here. Can I just not apply to the school then?

I understand why they make you do this as they dont want people doing what I am doing but what if I legitmately had lived in that state all my life and could not find full time employment and was living with my parents at 24?

Thank you

 

[Nexx]

Basically what any school is looking for is evidence that you have moved to the area for other than just 'educational' reasons -- that is, you aren't trying to get lower tuition just by moving into the area.

If you really wish to move states, seek out a full-time job and comply with as much of the requirements as you can. Work as a grocery clerk full-time if you have to and do any experience hours on the side. Yeah it might suck, but you always have the option of staying where you are. The school will never see your rental payments, or $$$ you get from your parents. They might however ask to see tax returns from the past year.

Other things may help as well, such as voter registration, drivers license, and purchasing property.

What you do need to watch out for is whether they consider you a resident/non-resident at the time of application or not, that may cause a headache (i.e. you may need to live in this new state longer than a year)

 

[Nephromaniac]

I would try to get more info from the school to be certain... I know there are some schools that require bank statements, work records etc. to show you have no "OOS" income, but that may only be to establish residency after the 1st year of school (not really familiar w/ it personally, but I've read other posts pertaining to it, so take my comment w/ a grain of salt).

As far as the Q about parents helping you if you lived in that state all your life... When you are a dependent, you are considered IS where your parents are residents, & will be until you become a resident elsewhere (w/ some exceptions; parents in dif states, military stuff, etc.), so the schools don't care if you are receiving assistance, since you're obviously not moving there to become a resident solely for educational purposes. The "no assistance" clauses are one of the ways they try to prevent that. I understand their goal, although I do think it's kinda silly.

Overall, I think the best think to do would be to try & talk to someone at the school directly. Good luck!