How to declare 20-year-old independent

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It sounds like OP's son moved to MD from out of state for college and has been paying OOS tuition, and now that he's an upperclassman OP hopes he can pay in state tuition. That's not how it works, OP.

It is in other states, and why not? My brother did this at Clemson. Virginia won’t let you do it. I see nothing wrong with a kid getting in state tuition if he has a year round lease, a job and a drivers license and voter registration in that state.

I agree. That kid is a Maryland resident. Even if his parents relocate to another state, he is still a Maryland resident who is working, living, voting in Maryland and has a Maryland driver's license.

If his parents move to another state that does not mean that he then also qualifies for in state tuition (grad school?) in his parents' state because *HE* is still a Maryland resident.

[Anonymous]

What year is the student?

[Anonymous]

20 y.o. is probably a sophomore or junior.

I think OP is overcomplicating things. Kid will remain a MD resident. Call the school and ask.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can I gift my child enough money for tuition and living expenses, not claim him as a dependent on my tax return, have him file as independent, and have him claim residency in MD? He has part-time job in MD, rents in MD, and has MD driver’s license and voter registration.

I know he has to provide more than 50% of his support. Does the gifted money (which he owns) count as providing his own support? He is on our health insurance if that matters.

You do not need to gift him the money.

If he is over 18 you can have him file his own takes, no longer claim him as a dependent on your taxes and he needs to have lived full time himself for one year in the state in question to get instate tuition. He will have to take care of all the paper work. Change his drivers license to that state for one year before applying for a change in residency.

People do this all the time. They buy condo's near a college or townhouses or houses. It's pretty common.

Every school has it's own list of residency requirements please have your child read them. Some schools are easier to get this chnage than others. Gifting him monies is not a good idea.

Your plan doesn't work for an already enrolled student who moved to Maryland for college.

He didn’t move to MD for college. He lived here all his life and graduated from MD public schools.

I said for example, UMD just an example. Used the word "example"

It doesn't matter every single college has residency requirements. OP needs to read those with her adult son and have him complete the action items. This is not hard. Then she needs to not claim him on her taxes.

[Anonymous]

Do not call the school! Just have all communication mailed to MD address. Continue paying in-state rate.

[Anonymous]

some thoughts here https://talk.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/19976849/#Comment_19976849

http://registrar.umd.edu/resclasspolicy.html

It's not immediately clear what will happen. Call the office making the determination (anonymously, if necessary) and ask.

[Anonymous]

Hmm, seems to me that in-state residency will not change:

Q: When and how is my in-state or out-of-state classification established?

A: Your classification is first established by the Admissions Office at the time of admission to the University and is based on information you have provided as part of the application process. If you have not provided this information, or if it is incomplete, you will be assigned out-of-state status. Once admitted to the University, you will retain this classification unless and until you file a successful Petition for Change in Classification for Admission, Tuition, and Charge Differential ("Petition for Change").

http://registrar.umd.edu/Residency/resreclassfaq.html

Q: Whom should I contact for more information?

A: You may contact Residency Reclassification Services at [e-mail] or [phone]. You may also visit the Office in Room 1130, Mitchell Building.

I'd rely on the above, the fact that you will not be filing a petition for change, so nothing will change. If you feel that is insufficient, then I'd be tempted to have student walk in, say "I have a question. I am a junior and I have always had in-state residency. My parents are thinking about moving out-of-state. If they did move, would that change my tuition?"

[Anonymous]

Unless things have changed since I went to Maryland, this will not work. I was from another state originally and we were paying much higher tuition at UMD than residents. I met a couple of kids whose parents did not live with them who were paying in-state tuition. The catch was (I believe), they had lived there for many years and the parents maintained a dwelling for those years, including sending the kids to high school in Maryland.

The specific rule at UMD when I was there, two decades ago, is that you will NEVER be considered a RESIDENT for tuition purposes if your PRIMARY ACTIVITY in the state is ATTENDING COLLEGE. So, you would basically have to have a full time job (or something similar to a significant other purpose for being in the state) to qualify for in-state residency from a tuition perspective.

[Anonymous]

BTW, this is not true at all schools in all states. I had friends who got together and bought a parcel of land in Texas which qualified them for in-state tuition in Texas (key here may be that the students themselves bought it, not the parents). This would not work in Maryland because it is against the school policy of the purpose of residence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unless things have changed since I went to Maryland, this will not work. I was from another state originally and we were paying much higher tuition at UMD than residents. I met a couple of kids whose parents did not live with them who were paying in-state tuition. The catch was (I believe), they had lived there for many years and the parents maintained a dwelling for those years, including sending the kids to high school in Maryland.

The specific rule at UMD when I was there, two decades ago, is that you will NEVER be considered a RESIDENT for tuition purposes if your PRIMARY ACTIVITY in the state is ATTENDING COLLEGE. So, you would basically have to have a full time job (or something similar to a significant other purpose for being in the state) to qualify for in-state residency from a tuition perspective.

OP and OP's kid are longtime MD residents already receiving in-state tuition. OP's question is whether parents moving out of state will cause kid to lose MD in-state residency for tuition. Unfortunately, it's not clear from the website.

[Anonymous]

The provisions set forth on the website are conflicting. http://registrar.umd.edu/resclasspolicy.html

A. An initial determination of In-State Status will be made by the University at the time a student's application for admission is under consideration. The determination made at that time, and any determination made thereafter, shall prevail for each semester/term until the determination is successfully challenged in a timely manner.

vs

C. The student shall notify the institution in writing within fifteen (15) days of any change in circumstances which may alter In-State Status.

D. In the event incomplete, false, or misleading information is presented, the institution may, at its discretion, revoke in-state status and take disciplinary action provided for by the institution's policy. Such action may include suspension or expulsion. If In-State Status is gained due to false or misleading information, the University reserves the right to retroactively assess all Out-of-State charges for each semester/term affected.

Still, not clear what the school would choose to do. I'd be concerned about not being upfront about the change in parent residency, so I'd want to find out what the school's policy would be, before deciding to move.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We know a family that let the 18 year old get married for this reason. They are still paying her tuition, but it is much, much less. That said, the couple have been together 4-5 years prior and the parents themselves married as teens.

OMG

What mixed up priorities. Students loans are better than teen marriages.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That wont make your kid independent from the perspective of a financial aid office. I was 29, completely financially independent for 7 years, married for 3 years, and my law school financial aid office still required me to submit my parents' financial information.

First of all, OP is not looking to game financial aid.

Second, your experience with law school is bizarre. Highly unusual to require parents' financial info if you're married and 29.

DP. It's not bizarre. Many law school and med schools do this.

[Anonymous]

I had to complete a FAFSA for my 24 yr old when he entered medical school.

A few years ago, i saw something on the news in PA. A student, whose parents were divorced, received in state status at Penn State because her mother was a resident here in PA. Dad lived in another state. Mom dies of cancer, DD lost her in state status. The kid dropped out of school for a year to become a PA resident. I suppose she had to get a full time job for a year or whatever PA required. So, it seems every state school has their own rules regardng this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It sounds like OP's son moved to MD from out of state for college and has been paying OOS tuition, and now that he's an upperclassman OP hopes he can pay in state tuition. That's not how it works, OP.

It is in other states, and why not? My brother did this at Clemson. Virginia won’t let you do it. I see nothing wrong with a kid getting in state tuition if he has a year round lease, a job and a drivers license and voter registration in that state.

I agree. That kid is a Maryland resident. Even if his parents relocate to another state, he is still a Maryland resident who is working, living, voting in Maryland and has a Maryland driver's license.

If his parents move to another state that does not mean that he then also qualifies for in state tuition (grad school?) in his parents' state because *HE* is still a Maryland resident.

But he's not 'independent' if his parents are funding the education.

If he finds his first job that isn't a trust fund or a casual once a year 15k gift from daddy dearest's trust fund, and finds a job and begins to work in that state, then sure, he can be 'independent.'

But it's not independent to use daddy's money and not ever work for anything. Your family's precious little baby isn't independent. Also if your HHI is soooo high that you've made casual 15,000 'gifties' to your little crotch nugget, and you would never even *gasp* consider applying for any financial aid because *clearly* you have far too much money floating around.....Why are you so concerned with committing fraud?

Surely the $10,181 in-state, compared to the $32,045 out of state, is but a drop in the bucket of your immense wealth, no? Why wouldn't you want to spend more? The grossly rich (mostly new-money families -- the old money generational wealth families do not have this complex) - are all about spending money on shit that is a waste, or literally flushing it down the toilet. How else will you convince us how much $ you have?