California Residency?
I moved to California the first of June 2009. I come from Arizona. I am supposed to graduate from a high school here. I am a senior now. However, I will probably not graduate on time due to lack of credits. This school requires double of what my last did. If i move back to Arizona for about 2 months and graduate from my old high school, will I still qualify for California residency the first of June 2010? At that time it will have been 12 months. If I leave for 2 months and come back with my diploma, will I still qualify? And will I qualify for the reduced University fees they offer for California residents?
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
In order to qualify for residency status for the purpose of waiving tuition you must be a resident of California for one full year or longer prior to applying, must have relinquished residency in all other states, and must be financially independent. You will be required to show three forms of proof which may consist of the following:
1. Ownership of residential property or continuous occupancy of rented or leased property in California
2. Registering to vote and voting in California
3. Licensing from California for professional practice
4. Active membership in service or social clubs
5. Presence of spouse, children or other close relatives in the state
6. Showing California as home address on federal income tax form
7. Payment of California state income tax as a resident
8. Possessing California motor vehicle license plates
9. Possessing a California driver’s license
10. Maintaining a permanent military address or home of record in California while in the armed forces
11. Establishing and maintaining an active California bank account
12. Being the petitioner for a divorce in California; Conduct inconsistent with a claim of California
Of course, if you open a California bank account now, get a California License or State ID, and Register a vehicle in California right now you should be okay. Going to another state for two months does not mean you are relinquishing residency in California. You're simply going out of state for a couple of months, but maintaining your California Residency status. Otherwise, your residency status would reset every time you leave the state for a few weeks to take a vacation, attend an educational seminar, etc.
I believe you have to have lived in California for two years to be considered residents. So the answer would be "yes".