going to school after AOS

[colinjess 0]

HI THERE people,

My fiance and i was looking at some posts, and we have noticed that some people are really struggling to get jobs after they recieve EAD during AOS!

so we decided that it may be a good idea for myself the 'ALIEN' to attend some community college, to get some extra qualifications!!

1)My questions is if we were to get a leaning /college grant, for myself ?is it classed as a Public charge?

2)also are immigrants allowed to attend college/ evening school! while waiting for AOS?

And since we are on the public charge issue....

If my fiance is recieving help for her rent for her home, as she is a single mom with two children. when i move in with her will she be able to still recieve this help or will they class this as myself recieving government HELP!!

many thanks for replies!

[Gemmie 142]

Actually I would like this answer also, as I'm interested in going for my Masters.

[Eternal Love 2]

I DID!!! I applied for a nursing program in a community college here.

1. present your biometrics appointment already stamped if you don't have your GC yet

2. passport/visa/ alien reg card

3. pay application fee. not refundable

4. then your academic records/ diploma must be evaluated by a credential evaluation company. Your transcripts on-hand are not honored... check this website: www.wes.org for enlightenment and instructions

5. you may even be qualified for a federal or state financial aid if you pass all requirements.

I hope this would help you somehow. GOOD LUCK!!

[nodiscussion 0]

When I looked in to this for my hubby, I got some great news: not only can he attend school, but he pays the same price as me. (at our community college, a county resident of more than three years pays $50 a credit, a resident of another county pays $100 a credit, and an international pays $250 a credit. My husband was considered a "county resident of more than three years" because that's what I was )

[colinjess 0]

Oh brilliant news then

[Nicoxcx 1]

This is quite interesting as I was also hoping to look into continuing my studying after moving to the USA. My Fiance works at his local community college so I have already been in with him, had a look around etc;, even enquired with a few of their education consultants (or whatever they are) , it seems to be quite differet over there

[richo 0]

Hi I called one of the community college in here that offers free adult learning like ESL, basic computer skills etc. and state my status and she said that they dont look on that and that I can register for their free program. Aside from that I'm also planning to take my MSN here in Cal state or USC and there's different fees between resident and non-resident. I contacted cal state here in long beach and the lady in-charge with international students told me that once I acquired my GC eventhough I haven't stayed for 1 year before applying I can still qualify for the resident fees which are a lot more cheaper than the non-resident ones. Good luck to all our aspirations GOd bless

Edited August 14, 2008 by richo

[spookyturtle 9,466]

HI THERE people,

My fiance and i was looking at some posts, and we have noticed that some people are really struggling to get jobs after they recieve EAD during AOS!

so we decided that it may be a good idea for myself the 'ALIEN' to attend some community college, to get some extra qualifications!!

1)My questions is if we were to get a leaning /college grant, for myself ?is it classed as a Public charge?

2)also are immigrants allowed to attend college/ evening school! while waiting for AOS?

And since we are on the public charge issue....

If my fiance is recieving help for her rent for her home, as she is a single mom with two children. when i move in with her will she be able to still recieve this help or will they class this as myself recieving government HELP!!

many thanks for replies!

Make some phone calls and see what the requirements are for the schools you are interested in attending. I'm in MA, and you must be a MA resident in order to get the good tuition rate at a state college, out of state and non residents pay almost triple. The requirements of residency differs from state to state and even among different state agencies. In my state, for DMV purposes, if you have a MA address, you are a resident, no time requirement. Yet to be considered a resident for attending a state school, you must prove six months residency. Private schools have their own policies. The only way to be sure is to call.

[Aubrey 10]

I just got through explaining what a public charge is to my father, so hopefully this helps you all here, too:

Definition of "Public Charge" and how it is used by the immigration service:

http://www.uscis.gov/files/article/public_cqa.pdf

* Taken from the above link:

Q2: What does it mean to be a “public charge” under the immigration laws?

A2: An alien who is likely at any time to become a “public charge” is ineligible for admission to the United States and is ineligible to adjust status to become a lawful permanent resident.

A3: “Public charge” means an alien who has become (for deportation purposes) or who is likely to become (for admission/adjustment purposes) primarily dependent on the government for subsistence

And one more time, from the I-864 form itself, the instructions state how the form works:

The submission of this form may make the sponsored immigrant ineligible for certain Federal, State, or local means-tested public benefits, because an agency that provides means-tested public benefits will consider your resources and assets as available to the sponsored immigrant in determining his orher eligibility for the program ...

If the immigrant sponsored in this affidavit does receive one of the designated Federal, State or local means-tested public benefits, the agency providing the benefit may request that you repay the cost of those benefits. That agency can sue you if the cost of the benefits provided is not repaid.

I-864P (Poverty Guidelines used to determine eligibility for an Affidavit of Support, and definitions of means-tested public benefits (which programs the affidavit applies to):

http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/I-864P.pdf

Federal Means-Tested Public Benefits: To date, Federal agencies administering benefit programs have determined that Federal

means-tested public benefits include Food Stamps, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Temporary Assistance for

Needy Families (TANF) and the State Child Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).

Federal loans for studying, if you read the above description, are NOT included under "public charge." So you're eligible. In fact, many greencard holders receive federal student loans.

As far as the college tuition itself goes, most states consider you a resident after you marry a state resident and are legally present. In other words, once you have a greencard and are married to a state resident, you should qualify for in-state tuition at any public college/university.

And to the rent assistance: I'm not sure about this, but I doubt it should concern you unless you apply for the assistance in your name and you're not receiving cash assistance. But I would check in with the people at the program and see if you can verify this...

[colinjess 0]

YIPPY that is so good to hear! thank you for your help

my fiance uses medicade for her children, when they consider medicade as a public charge.. is it only if i myself use it, what about emergency medicade. can we use that?

[Aubrey 10]

YIPPY that is so good to hear! thank you for your help

my fiance uses medicade for her children, when they consider medicade as a public charge.. is it only if i myself use it, what about emergency medicade. can we use that?

It won't matter if she uses it for her children. Also, emergency medicaid is excluded from public charge, so don't worry about that either.