Emancipation instead of out-of-state tuition?

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I am confused by what you mean as emancipate!

Emancipation is for minors under the age of 18. Essentially they get to live like adults and be self supporting (probably more to it than that--but that is the gist.)

The OP is referring to a student declaring themselves independent for financial purposes in college. Legally, once they turn 18--they are already "emancipated".

(or are we indeed talking about a minor going to college early perhaps?)

 

[bumbershoot]

Thank you all for your input and information!



I said nothing about financial aid or cheating the system and I did not mean to imply anything like that! Perhaps I asked my question the wrong way - perhaps emancipation and out-of-state tuition don't go hand in hand, maybe emancipation only goes hand in hand with federal aid - I don't know - that's why I'm here asking for info. Forgive my ignorance. My son mentioned emancipation since he wants to go out of state (his grades are average so not much hope for scholarships -at least big ones). I apologize if I offended anyone.

IMO, no one reading what you wrote could reasonably have decided you were interested in fraud.

Without bringing financial aid into the conversation, you could probably find out what would be needed to establish residency, perhaps even from the school.

I googled for CA requirements, and the requirements are clear: http://www.reg.uci.edu/registrar/residence/

Here is some CO info:
http://sfs.colostate.edu/I27000.cfm

WA:
http://futurestudents.wsu.edu/admission/residency-ind-parents.aspx

The point is, it's not a state secret as to how each state determines residency.

Now, about the state vs private thing...you might be surprised by the schools he might get into. I was a B student with only Drama going for me, and I got into a pretty good, small, private university.

And because it was smaller, the financial aid people could really get to know you, and could take the time to look at your paperwork beyond what the system told them. During the year or so before I went to college, my mom's marriage fell apart. When he left, he took 2/3 of our income with him. But by tax return, we had ALL that money. The system kicked me out, saying that there was no need for aid. Once she wrote a letter explaining (this was her second marriage, NOT my dad, by the way), they were able to do it manually, and I got a hefty aid package. Then she got remarried to her childhood sweetheart, and he made quite a bit of money. Again, their tax returns showed no financial need. But she wrote again...since he only became my stepdad by the time I was 18, there was no need for him to contribute, and the aid office was able to only use my mom's income to determine my need.

A huge university might not be able to do that.

Just something to think about!

 

[Jessmela]

However, in terms of federal aid, the ONLY things that make you independent of your parents income information are:

1. Having a bachelor's degree already.
2. Being 24 before Jan 1.
3. Having children who receive more than half their support from you.
4. Being an orphan or ward of the court.
5. Being a veteran or active military.
6. Being married.

This is spot on. Unless you meet one or more of these, you ARE NOT independent for financial aid purposes. It doesn't matter who claims you on tax forms. Getting emancipated doesn't necessarily matter either.

There are extreme situations (abuse, abandonment, etc.) where a financial aid officer can use professional judgment to declare a student independent. But that's rare and requires good, substantial documentation. And considering the current environment in the financial aid industry, anything out the ordinary is going to be scrutinized.

In-state vs. out-of-state tuition qualifications are set at the state level, so you would have to see the particular states rules for more information. And there's a good reason for in-state tuition-- in-state parents and students are already subsidizing the education with their state tax dollars.

 

[Jessmela]

There is NOWHERE on the FAFSA for self-employed income. The line they require is always a 0 on ours, so we ALWAYS get audited.

Actually you do report self-employment on the FAFSA-- the income questions ask for lines 7 (wages) + 12 (business income or loss) + 18 (farm income or loss) from the 1040. Your self-employment income should be on line 12. If you're putting zero, you would be selected for verification. Also, a certain percentage of students are selected at random every year. And some schools choose to verify 100%.

 

[MrsPooh]

Some of the state schools in the mid-west participate in a reciprocial student agreement and will allow students from the participating states to attend a participating school in another state at the in-state tuition. It is limited but it helps quite a few people.

My dd's grades weren't great (2.8 gpa) with an ACT score of 21. She didn't decide she wanted to go to anything other than community college until March of her senior year. We went to talk with a mid-sized private college. They were happy to have her even though her grades were borderline. Our finances are beyond pitiful right now and I was concerned about costs. They offered her a financial aid package consisting of a low amount of student loan, work-study hours and in-house scholarships that allows her to attend full-time and live in the dorm with food for less than it would have cost for her to live at home and go to the local community college.

It truly does pay to check all avenues when it comes to college tuition. She'll still be on our insurance and live in our home on breaks and over the summer so I'm certainly going to continue to claim her on our taxes.

 

[crisi]

You have two questions here:

1) How do I (my child) qualify for in state tuition? Simple answer is generally - you move there for a year, do not go to school for a year, work for a year, and establish residency - but requirements will vary a little state to state. The college website should have information on what a resident is. You cannot usually go to college during that time (or at least not full time) - or every student would be a resident in year two.

2) How do I get my child independant so he gets financial aid and our income doesn't count? - as was stated, you don't - you can marry him off or wait until he is 24 - but that is about it. Those are (IMO) drastic steps. If it were easy - more people would do it (and they used to). But cutting off his support will not be sufficient.

I'd also encourage you to check out many avenues - but watch the private school "we can give you a loan" situation. A student loan is often part of the aid package - but a loan is a burden later. If you can get by cheaper at a private school due to scholarships and grants, go for it. If by the time you are done, you'll have more debt than with the public school, consider carefully - private schools are very nice and sometimes a better choice, but college debt can be nasty when you are 22.

 

[DareTooDream]

No, he wouldn't be a minor, but I am thinking of him as a student, not an "adult". Perhaps that's part of why my thought process is off.

Thanks for the links, the private school info, reciprocal info, etc. His GPA is close to 3.2 and he got a 23 on his ACT.

So, say he moves out of state and does not attend school for one year to gain residency - then he's no longer a student and am I correct in thinking that he wouldn't be allowed on our health insurance (I suppose some policies may be different, but generally speaking)?

Sherry

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

When DH and I were engaged and living in Pennsylvania, his family was in Ohio. Even though we paid for everything ourselves, everything, his school still required him to record his parents financial information on the FAFSA forms. It's unfortunate, but the federal governement requires parents income to be reported for students age 23 and under when seeking an undergraduate degree.

Don't risk trying to get around the system, that is why it is so strict now. Too many people lying to get a free or reduced cost degree.

If you can't/don't want to afford the out of state tuition, have your daughter attend an in-state school.

How about this, renounce your citizenship and become an illegal alien. I know that many go to my son's school and they think that we should subsidise them. I find it totally ironic that those of us who are citizens of this country need to try and consider a variety of loopholes(of which there are few) to try and afford a college education and yet illegals or those who come from abroad, and are minorities get almost a free ride. My son has a good friend who's parents are from Brazil she pays 168.00 per semester. I on the ohther hand pay over 5000.00! He has another friend who's dad does not live with them but lives in Haiti. He is wealthy but the mom lives here in subsidised housing and she too pays 168.00 per semester. If you are in the middle class, work your tail off and are average not even comfortable then you pay!

I agree if you cannot afford out of state tuition, then go instate. ONe of the stupidest things I have ever heard of is paying extra to go to a state school out of state! Many states have some sort of reciprocity and you will get a reduced tuition. The only reason to go out of state is for a program taht is not available in state.

As to the parents income thing. I love it. When we went to orientation they told us that it is expected that parents should pay for the college education of their child under 23 BUT just call the college and try and talk to them about a situation concerning your child who is 18 or over. MY son had a hold put on his registration b/c they said he did not have his physical(not true) He tried calling but to no avail. I called the office and got through immediately but they would not speak to me b/c he was 18 and they needed his permission. OH and the part about they do not have to show you their grades if they don't want to .....give me a break!

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

No, he wouldn't be a minor, but I am thinking of him as a student, not an "adult". Perhaps that's part of why my thought process is off.

Thanks for the links, the private school info, reciprocal info, etc. His GPA is close to 3.2 and he got a 23 on his ACT.

So, say he moves out of state and does not attend school for one year to gain residency - then he's no longer a student and am I correct in thinking that he wouldn't be allowed on our health insurance (I suppose some policies may be different, but generally speaking)?

Sherry

All policies are differnt but mine keeps my son on till he is 19 so if your child was say not 18 until sept of his hs grad year then you could let him live away for a year and then when he did become a student the following sept
he should still be eligable.

 

[cats mom]

No, he wouldn't be a minor, but I am thinking of him as a student, not an "adult". Perhaps that's part of why my thought process is off.

Thanks for the links, the private school info, reciprocal info, etc. His GPA is close to 3.2 and he got a 23 on his ACT.

So, say he moves out of state and does not attend school for one year to gain residency - then he's no longer a student and am I correct in thinking that he wouldn't be allowed on our health insurance (I suppose some policies may be different, but generally speaking)?

Sherry

You do have to be careful about that one. Our insurance only covers our kids up to age 18 unless they meet student requirements. DD is looking at studying abroad for a semester and she will have to load up on classes both before and after her semester abroad in order to stay eligible.

Every state handles residency requirements differently. DD was able to get a 2 year waiver on out of state tuition at the university she attends, by the time the waiver is up, she will have established residency as per university/state rules.

Of course she is now talking about transfering to another school in yet another state about then.
If she chooses to do that SHE will be responsible for any difference in cost between the deal she has now and what it costs at the new, more appealing out of state university.

 

[MrsPooh]

Regarding the health ins question. As mentioned by a previous poster, most policies cover them until they are 19. After that they must be a student (full-time in most cases) in order to remain covered. I know people who have had to get a proof of enrollment letter from their child's college when the insurance company questioned the status. I also know alot of people who have college aged kids not really wanting to go to school but needing the insurance who enroll them at the less expensive Community College for the minimum number of classes. The kids take easy, somewhat wasted classes just to be able to stay on the insurance since it is cheaper to pay the tuition than purchase individual insurance for their child.

 

[Lisa_M]

I'd also encourage you to check out many avenues - but watch the private school "we can give you a loan" situation. A student loan is often part of the aid package - but a loan is a burden later. If you can get by cheaper at a private school due to scholarships and grants, go for it. If by the time you are done, you'll have more debt than with the public school, consider carefully - private schools are very nice and sometimes a better choice, but college debt can be nasty when you are 22.

I completely agree with this. It's very important. Unfortunately, DH's school's gave him loans, yet he didn't read the fine print. He signed for about 30k in private loans at variable interest rates of 8-14% now. If they had been more forthcoming about the interest rates and if DH wasn't so trusting we wouldn't be in the financial situation we are in.

 

[stefffe]

years ago.....you could set up a scholarship for your child....in the name of any relative.... and for as little as 100 bucks. when you did...all out of state fees were waived.

not sure you can still do this...but its worth looking into

 

[crisi]

No, he wouldn't be a minor, but I am thinking of him as a student, not an "adult". Perhaps that's part of why my thought process is off.

Thanks for the links, the private school info, reciprocal info, etc. His GPA is close to 3.2 and he got a 23 on his ACT.

So, say he moves out of state and does not attend school for one year to gain residency - then he's no longer a student and am I correct in thinking that he wouldn't be allowed on our health insurance (I suppose some policies may be different, but generally speaking)?

Sherry

Check BOTH residency requirements for the state he is considering (SPECIFICALLY college residency requirements, which can be quite different than regular residency requirements) AND your medical insurance. Some states may have much longer requirements for college than a year or additional requirements - in Minnesota a contributing factor is that your "sources of support" must be generated in state - that means that he could be denied living here if you send him money.


Generally speaking, this is all set up to be "not worth doing" because when it is worth doing - people do it.

 

[goofyforlife]

I don't think this is entirely true. Perhaps it was because you were engaged, and not married.

Sometimes getting married is not a good thing. A friend of mine totally supported herself. Once she got married they took away all her financial aid.
Her DH worked and even though their bills were the same the FA formulas said they had all this "discetionary" income. RIGHT.

I have a BIL/SIL who are basically frauding the system right now. (kinda makes me ill thinking about it. I hope they get caught.)

They enrolled both kids "in-state" for PA colleges (They start in a couple weeks.) Then just recently sold their house and are moving to FL. The DD will be in PA living on campus and DS living with GP's in PA.

BIL/SIL are then going to try to enroll DD the following year in FL for in-tuition rates too. Uh- if she's full time student in PA how can she be living in FL full time? I don't think they care what happens to DS's tuition. (he's not 21 yet)

Am i right to think this is wrong?

 

[Faerie]

If you are under the federal qualifications for being "independent" (and don't get me started on that) then it's the Parent's residency that matters. At least here in Florida.

My parents would not pay a nickle for college for me but because of my age, I had to use their income. I didn't want loans so I worked two jobs while going full time.

 

[cats mom]

Actually I think it's the parents' residency that matters in most states - thus why many make it so hard for a student to establish residency on their own.

For example if we moved to the state where DD is attending college and were gainfully employed, she would be considered an in state student immediately.

So in the above example the moving to FL and paying in state rates bit might be perfectly legal. I expect the PA folks would be none too thrilled if they found out the parents of 2 of their in state students were no longer PA residents however. That one could get ugly in a hurry.