College

[timelena 0]

I had plans to enroll to community college this summer and/or fall. Not for a degree, but to take some language and sports classes. Well, where else can I learn Spanish???

I called to their Admissions Office today, and was told that one is considered a resident for tuition purposes one year after filing for AOS. So, no Spanish during this summer or fall

Does anyone who adjusts or adjusted status have experience with colleges and Universities here? Maybe you were able to pay as a resident in less than a year? Is there any way to persuade them that I am a resident? (I have resided in this State for 1,5 years already!)

Thanks

[chocolaterie 0]

usually you can file a petition for in state tuition. When I did this, I had to prove I lived in the usa for more than a year. does your college offer this option? If yes, you will need documentation like a state driver's license, that shows it's a year or more old. A lease/some sort of contract that 1 year+ old. Bank accounts showing the date they were opened. bills in your name, that are a year old etc.

worst case scenario they deny your request.. just make sure to take 6 credits or less and your tuition should stay low.

Edited June 9, 2006 by chocolaterie

[perfect 39]

I had the same thing for my son. They said he wouldn't wualify for resident's rates until he had lived her for one year and one day. The only way they suggested around this was for us to prove he was counted as a dependent when we filed out 2005 taxed, proving that he ahd fulfilled the residency requirements of the IRS.

If you have filed taxes during that 1.5 years then from what they said to me, if you have sufficient evidence of satisfting IRS residency requirements then you have a good change of qualifying for resident's rates for college tuition. Check with the school to see if they verify this in your state.

[Fetaria 0]

I was able to enroll in a college here in NM as a New Mexico resident. I have only been here for 6 months. I dont even have my SSN yet. They waived the year rule once I proved that my husband had been a resident here for over a year.

[AnaAndDaniel 0]

We went to a local community college in Folsom California and asked a registration official. we got the same answer you did. So, given that my wife became a resident in Oct of 2005, she will not be eligible until October of 2007. which means the first semester she will be able to enroll as a resident will be Spring 2008.

Daniel

:energetic:

[timelena 0]

Seems like the situation is different in every State

Have you seen any publication/regulation on who should be considered a resident for tuition purposes? Or is it up to the college?

Edited June 9, 2006 by timelena

[clloyd 0]

It is different for every state, and in some cases, probably different for different college systems within a state. We should have a sticky that states that.

[*Robert* 2]

I was able to enroll in a college here in NM as a New Mexico resident. I have only been here for 6 months. I dont even have my SSN yet. They waived the year rule once I proved that my husband had been a resident here for over a year.

that sounds like a good route to try!

[karenros 0]

I just showed them letters, and the only letter i had were the NOA's from my adjustment of status petition. and i also showed them the date i filed the i-485 and also it had my name and the address where i stayed.

Had a tough time convincing it to him that i lived in the US for a year, cause i had just got my green card a month ago before i tried admitting my self at the local comm college and all i had was the letter from the USCIS and of course my drivers license which was issue in Oct 2005.

But it all worked out in the end, and i didnt have any problem enrolling my self at the university.

Karen

[maria_b84 0]

Well I am enrolled in a school as well and if Im lucky I'll start next August. But from what they told me, u r considered a "normal" student once u get the GC. In fact, once u become a permanent resident, u can apply for the federal financial aid (FASFA), which is a good thing. But only after the GC. In my case, I enrolled the school as an international student (being on a K3 Visa) but once I get theGC I'll become a normal student and I will be able to apply for financial aid. I have never heardof the 1 year thing. But every College is different and everything is possible lol. I still havent paid anything for my College ( I dont have money ) its too much money being an international student. I understand u.

Good Luck with everything

Maria

[timelena 0]

Thank you for your responses!

So, as soon as I get my Green Card, I need to go to the college and talk to another person There is a possiblity that the difference does not exist among States, or even colleges, but rather depends on WHO YOU ARE TALKING TO

Edited June 11, 2006 by timelena

[CanGal 1]

There is a possiblity that the difference does not exist among States, or even colleges, but rather depends on WHO YOU ARE TALKING TO

Ain't that the truth!!

[timelena 0]

We went to a local community college in Folsom California and asked a registration official. we got the same answer you did. So, given that my wife became a resident in Oct of 2005, she will not be eligible until October of 2007. which means the first semester she will be able to enroll as a resident will be Spring 2008.

Daniel,

Seems like they are talking about TWO years in your case and ONE year in my! Consider enrolling to Sacramento City College

[AnaAndDaniel 0]

We went to a local community college in Folsom California and asked a registration official. we got the same answer you did. So, given that my wife became a resident in Oct of 2005, she will not be eligible until October of 2007. which means the first semester she will be able to enroll as a resident will be Spring 2008.

Daniel,

Seems like they are talking about TWO years in your case and ONE year in my! Consider enrolling to Sacramento City College

we'd prefer Folsom Lake college because it is the closests. Our next choice would be American River College. Sac City would be next. Then Cosumnes.... blahhhh too far if you ask me.

Daniel

:energetic:

p.s. i think i need to go back to school. my numbers were off.

green card: october 2005.

year + one day: october 2006

first semester can apply as resident: spring 2007.

Edited June 12, 2006 by AnaAndDaniel

[Nikita2Charles 32]

I am in California also, so kinda familiar with the system. All you have to do is to fill out the application as usual on the application they will ask you if you are a california resident and on the form it has a place to put your california driver's license or Non driver's ID that's all you need, and you are set to go you don't even have to ask them for anything as soon as they process the form it will transact you as a california resident. It only gets tricky if you are applying for financial aid then they go into more details. Good luck

I know a friend who lives in NY but her kids have california ID, once they graduated they were able to come to school in california without having to pay out of state charges. you just have to be knowledgeable

Edit to ask: did you ever apply for california driver's license or non driver ID?

Edited June 13, 2006 by Nikita2Charles