Loosing my grip

[UmmSqueakster 54]

Ok, I'm sitting here in my cubical almost crying. I will not cry here, I will not will not will not.

Stupid f-ing minnesota law. Here's the email I just sent to the stupid f-ing school I'm attending for my paralegal certification.

Why is it that international students who are in good standing may be

reclassified as residents for tuition purposes (per

http://www.inverhills.edu/Enrollment/Tuition/index.asp), but students who move

to Minnesota and start attending school soon after their arrival may not?

I work full time in Minnesota (at redacted).

My car is registered in Minnesota and I have a Minnesota Driver's License

I got married in Minnesota

I have paid Minnesota taxes for 2004-2005 and anticipate filing MN taxes in

2006.

I moved to Minnesota in August 2004 with the intent to work as a paralegal.

When I moved here and found that most paralegals in the Twin Cities have

certification, I applied for the program at Inver Hills.

Why can an international student be reclassified, but I cannot? I am aware of

the Minnesota law that requires a student to live in Minnesota for a year

prior to applying, but why is there an exception for international students

and not US citizens?

I am now classifed as a non resident. I no longer reside in Wisconsin, where

I resided at my parents. Technically, I can't be considered a Wisconsin

reciprocity student. So I'm a non resident. Where the heck am I a resident

of? I don't live in a state that doesn't have a reciprocity agreement with

MN. Am I floating nebulously in the clouds above Minnesota. I live here.

thank you,

name redacted

My f-ing tuition bill is due tomorrow and its $3,300 non resident tuition. If I was a Minnesota resident (I pay f-ing taxes here, but I'm not a resident!), it would be half that. If I was a Wisconsin reciprocity student, it would be $2300. Where the heck am I going to find $3,300 by tomorrow

In the worst case, I suppose I will sign up for the tuition payment plan, where you can pay a little each month, and then pray that my financial aid gets through quickly. But still, I'll end up paying that huge amount back when I have to pay my student loans.

going to lunch now. stupid.

[Together4ever 1]

Oh darlin... I will cry with you. Its like a bad moon arose last night or something. I can't offer much advice to you other then hang in there (which isn't much help I know.) I'm sure something will work itself out.

[noura 0]

that just downright sucks rocks.... i'm sorry rahma - i hope something works out soon

Noura

[Yasi 0]

Ok, I'm sitting here in my cubical almost crying. I will not cry here, I will not will not will not.

Stupid f-ing minnesota law. Here's the email I just sent to the stupid f-ing school I'm attending for my paralegal certification.

Why is it that international students who are in good standing may be

reclassified as residents for tuition purposes (per

http://www.inverhills.edu/Enrollment/Tuition/index.asp), but students who move

to Minnesota and start attending school soon after their arrival may not?

I work full time in Minnesota (at redacted).

My car is registered in Minnesota and I have a Minnesota Driver's License

I got married in Minnesota

I have paid Minnesota taxes for 2004-2005 and anticipate filing MN taxes in

2006.

I moved to Minnesota in August 2004 with the intent to work as a paralegal.

When I moved here and found that most paralegals in the Twin Cities have

certification, I applied for the program at Inver Hills.

Why can an international student be reclassified, but I cannot? I am aware of

the Minnesota law that requires a student to live in Minnesota for a year

prior to applying, but why is there an exception for international students

and not US citizens?

I am now classifed as a non resident. I no longer reside in Wisconsin, where

I resided at my parents. Technically, I can't be considered a Wisconsin

reciprocity student. So I'm a non resident. Where the heck am I a resident

of? I don't live in a state that doesn't have a reciprocity agreement with

MN. Am I floating nebulously in the clouds above Minnesota. I live here.

thank you,

name redacted

My f-ing tuition bill is due tomorrow and its $3,300 non resident tuition. If I was a Minnesota resident (I pay f-ing taxes here, but I'm not a resident!), it would be half that. If I was a Wisconsin reciprocity student, it would be $2300. Where the heck am I going to find $3,300 by tomorrow

In the worst case, I suppose I will sign up for the tuition payment plan, where you can pay a little each month, and then pray that my financial aid gets through quickly. But still, I'll end up paying that huge amount back when I have to pay my student loans.

going to lunch now. stupid.

I'm sorry for your trouble... That is not right. These laws are messed up. Damn it... getting an education shouldn't be this difficult...

Talk to a lawyer... maybe they can help.

Hang in there...

[Meriem_DZ 37]

Sorry Rahma, for your difficulties. Icey is freaking about her tuition too. Hope you guys find a solution quickly.

Meriem

[sarah and hicham 3]

Rahma do you think there is any way your parents would help out a little?

I hope so!

Sarah

[UmmSqueakster 54]

There's no way my parents would help, unfortunatly.

I'm ready to storm the Minnesota Legislature and kick some lawmakers' butts, but they're not in session. Stupid MN leg is only in session 4 months out of the year.

I could take the semester off, or take less classes, but damn, one of the reasons I became a paralegal was because the schooling would only take a year. Here I am, 2.5 years later, still no freakin certification.

Argggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg

ggggggggggggg

*falls to knees in dispair shaking fist in the general direction of the school and state legislature* curse you Minnesota state statutes

Ok, I'm done for the time being. Let's see how they respond to that email.

[lostinlove228 0]

I'm sorry. God will provide.

You a fighter hang in there and fight. Right letters, try to get things changed. It may not work for you, but maybe there will be someone in the future in your sutituation that won't have to complain about this.

Invetigate, maybe there is a loop hole.

See if work will advance you for now.

[Omid 0]

that sucks! sorry you're dealing with this Rahma.

[Katie 0]

Rahma,

Are you registered to vote in MN? Being registered to vote carries a lot of weight in proving/disproving residence and domicile. Waiving the length of residency requirements for international students but not for domestic students who cannot be considered residents of another state seems wholly unfair.

Would your employer be able to loan you the tuition money? The company that I work for makes small loans to employees under some circumstances.

Good luck.

Katie

[iceyspots 0]

Rhama, I know how you feel.. I'm pulling $10,500 worth of student loans and that's not even going to cover the $2,000 in other expenses I have before I even step foot into the classroom. And I'm a domestic student too, I'd imagine it would be worse for non-restident or international students.

[UmmSqueakster 54]

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions. I'm just going to put the tuition bill on my credit card until I get financial aid figured out, and then map out a strategy to approach this. I'm going to be writing my state representative and senator.

Thank God for my husband. I really don't know how I ended up with someone who's so sweet. Even though he drives me crazy, he's a rock of stability in this sea of insanity.

[samir_shannon 0]

girl i feel for ya... i know wha ####### is like cos they tried to classify me as an out of state student and i have lived here 2 and a half years. i got it fixed tho! good luck

[iceyspots 0]

Bloodsuckers!

[amal 4]

I've often wondered the same thing that you wrote them about...I'm curious to know what their reply will be....

amal