Out of State Community College

[Anonymous]

DD wants to go to college in Los Angeles, as her dream is to work in Hollywood.

She's going to apply to several LA area schools (CalArts, Occidental as reaches, also looking at Loyola Marymount, Chapman and some of the Cal State campuses).

However, I can see her getting to California and auditioning/finding work on a production and ignoring school. I'm thinking of offering to pay for an apartment for a couple of years, if she enrolls in community college (looking at Santa Monica College) and gets a certain number of credits per semester, so she keeps her options open. If she wants to transfer at the end of two years, I'll happily pay for her to finish a four year degree. But if she gets wrapped up in Hollywood and flunks out of community college, at least we won't have wasted $50k+ per year.

Has anyone's child gone to an out-of-state community college? Any nuggets of wisdom?

[Anonymous]

Out of state tuition will still be almost $9,000 for an out of state student.

If she applies to 4 year schools, it's possible she will get financial aid or merit scholarships that will significantly decrease the cost.

I grew up in orange county and went to a Cal State in Los Angeles county (Go Beach!) but my experience was from about 25 years ago.

[Anonymous]

My friend sent her son to OOS CC, but she made him sign a contract! (I'm not sure I could do this, personally)

Would it be crazy to allow her to just move there to try to find work and check out the scene, and not enroll in any college immediately? We did that with our son (totally different industry, but similar concept) -- we just supported him to try working in his desired field right after HS. He got a job and has been FT since Sept, but now thinks that college will get him where he wants. So he picked up 2 CC classes while working FT and will hopefully transition to a 4-year school successfully.

Obviously this all depends on your kid! And your willingness to support them as they grow/learn.

[Anonymous]

I’d offer this:
she apply to 4 year colleges, either in LA area or wherever (lots of great drama programs all over). When she is accepted (a year from now), if she still wants to pursue acting first, she can take a gap year and I would fund the apartment and some living expenses for that year, expecting that she’ll audition and get a job waitressing or whatever as well. if she hasn’t secured regular acting work to support herself incl apartment at the end of that year, she starts college. if she has, she can keep acting and live on her own dime. i’d probably also offer to pay for return to college within say 5 years.

[Anonymous]

I live near Santa Monica College (SMC). The junior colleges (city colleges) are feeder schools for the UC system. If your DD goes to SMC and keeps her grades up, she can matriculate to UCLA.

I went to Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) and matriculated to UCLA (although most students matriculate to UCSB).

Re finding work in entertainment, imagine the whole country gets tipped on its side and every person interested in acting gravitates to LA. So honestly, I don't think you have much to worry about if you put a timeline on her. Conversely, if she gets lucky, then you can consider forgoing college.

I say this because (many years ago) I had a friend at UCLA who (through connections, of course) who was very interested in entertainment, and was offered an unpaid internship with Stephen Spielburg. He was almost done with his degree so he didn't want to take time off. He graduated a year before me, and I lost touch with him. Then the following year, I saw him at the LSAT test. I always think about that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I live near Santa Monica College (SMC). The junior colleges (city colleges) are feeder schools for the UC system. If your DD goes to SMC and keeps her grades up, she can matriculate to UCLA.

I went to Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) and matriculated to UCLA (although most students matriculate to UCSB).

Re finding work in entertainment, imagine the whole country gets tipped on its side and every person interested in acting gravitates to LA. So honestly, I don't think you have much to worry about if you put a timeline on her. Conversely, if she gets lucky, then you can consider forgoing college.

I say this because (many years ago) I had a friend at UCLA who (through connections, of course) who was very interested in entertainment, and was offered an unpaid internship with Stephen Spielburg. He was almost done with his degree so he didn't want to take time off. He graduated a year before me, and I lost touch with him. Then the following year, I saw him at the LSAT test. I always think about that.

But only if you get certain grades in certain designated courses.

[Anonymous]

OP, are you aware there is a 366 day residency requirement before you can attend a community college? Here's a quote: A person must have lived continuously in California for at least one year immediately preceding the residence determination date to be considered a resident for tuition purposes. Evidence must also be provided to indicate that the person has intent to make California his/her permanent home."

The same residency requirement goes for the Cal STate system as well: "Physical Presence: A student must be physically present in California ONE YEAR PRIOR to the Residence Determination Date (in which enrollment is contemplated). Intent: A student must intend to remain in California ONE YEAR PRIOR to the Residence Determination Date."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, are you aware there is a 366 day residency requirement before you can attend a community college? Here's a quote: A person must have lived continuously in California for at least one year immediately preceding the residence determination date to be considered a resident for tuition purposes. Evidence must also be provided to indicate that the person has intent to make California his/her permanent home."

The same residency requirement goes for the Cal STate system as well: "Physical Presence: A student must be physically present in California ONE YEAR PRIOR to the Residence Determination Date (in which enrollment is contemplated). Intent: A student must intend to remain in California ONE YEAR PRIOR to the Residence Determination Date."

It is almost impossible for out of state 18-22 year olds to establish residency for college tuition purposes in California. You can’t just move to CA as an 18 year old in the summer for your freshman year and expect to get in state tuition for you sophomore year. Don’t expect it any year. Only if you get married or were in the armed service or were in foster care.

[Anonymous]

Have her go to a state school. Reality is she will not make it big and needs an education.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, are you aware there is a 366 day residency requirement before you can attend a community college? Here's a quote: A person must have lived continuously in California for at least one year immediately preceding the residence determination date to be considered a resident for tuition purposes. Evidence must also be provided to indicate that the person has intent to make California his/her permanent home."

The same residency requirement goes for the Cal STate system as well: "Physical Presence: A student must be physically present in California ONE YEAR PRIOR to the Residence Determination Date (in which enrollment is contemplated). Intent: A student must intend to remain in California ONE YEAR PRIOR to the Residence Determination Date."

It is almost impossible for out of state 18-22 year olds to establish residency for college tuition purposes in California. You can’t just move to CA as an 18 year old in the summer for your freshman year and expect to get in state tuition for you sophomore year. Don’t expect it any year. Only if you get married or were in the armed service or were in foster care.

Especially when parents are paying the bills.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, are you aware there is a 366 day residency requirement before you can attend a community college? Here's a quote: A person must have lived continuously in California for at least one year immediately preceding the residence determination date to be considered a resident for tuition purposes. Evidence must also be provided to indicate that the person has intent to make California his/her permanent home."

The same residency requirement goes for the Cal STate system as well: "Physical Presence: A student must be physically present in California ONE YEAR PRIOR to the Residence Determination Date (in which enrollment is contemplated). Intent: A student must intend to remain in California ONE YEAR PRIOR to the Residence Determination Date."

It is almost impossible for out of state 18-22 year olds to establish residency for college tuition purposes in California. You can’t just move to CA as an 18 year old in the summer for your freshman year and expect to get in state tuition for you sophomore year. Don’t expect it any year. Only if you get married or were in the armed service or were in foster care.

Especially when parents are paying the bills.

But attending CC without in state residency is still very cheap compared to a 4-year institution. She can still attend CC, she will just need to pay more than what in state kids pay to attend. I think this is a great idea. I lived in California and even though I was admitted to several good 4 year schools, I decided to save $ and attend CC first. After two years supporting myself while attending night classes at CC I started at UC Berkeley. Then attended a UC law school. I'm not an unusual story in CA. And many of my classmates at CC were from out of state-- even from out of US. My best friend had moved to CA from Sweden and we both ended up at a UC school after CC. She paid more at CC than I did, but she still felt it was worth it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, are you aware there is a 366 day residency requirement before you can attend a community college? Here's a quote: A person must have lived continuously in California for at least one year immediately preceding the residence determination date to be considered a resident for tuition purposes. Evidence must also be provided to indicate that the person has intent to make California his/her permanent home."

The same residency requirement goes for the Cal STate system as well: "Physical Presence: A student must be physically present in California ONE YEAR PRIOR to the Residence Determination Date (in which enrollment is contemplated). Intent: A student must intend to remain in California ONE YEAR PRIOR to the Residence Determination Date."

The residency requirement isn't for attending. It's for paying in state tuition.

OP, if you live in DC, the TAG scholarship can be used for any state school, including community college.

[Anonymous]

I think it’s a good idea.

[Anonymous]

Advice her how women are exploited in Hollywood.

[Anonymous]

Op here- Thank you for the input. The community college route is sounding more and more promising as an option.

As a parent, I really want DD to start in some form of college so there is some structure and a way to meet people when she moves to LA. I also don't want her to eliminate options at 18- I know community college and possibly transferring later isn't the traditional experience, but I feel like it would be better than not going to school at all. I worry if she takes a break from school, it will be harder to go back later.

I'm going to think about the gap year/expiration date option, too.

Thank you!