Anonymous
Post 02/06/2026 07:28     Subject: Moving and analyzing affording colleges

Anonymous wrote:I have to move out of the state of Virginia to a metro area where I could live in several places like the DC metro area and have a child who is in a VA state school and another who will be applying soon. I have a lot of questions about affording schools and how to qualify for in state tuition and afford school with the new move. Is there a consultant that anyone recommends who understands in state tuition laws, FASCA laws, and tax laws to help me make the best decision to rent or buy and where to move?


You can try reaching out to private college admission advisors. They might not specialize in this, but would probably be happy to refer you to someone who does.
Anonymous
Post 02/06/2026 07:19     Subject: Moving and analyzing affording colleges

Anonymous wrote:Isn't there someone in the DC area who understands east coast schools and residency requirements? I'd rather work with a consultant.


You want a consultant that tells you how to commit residency fraud?
Anonymous
Post 02/06/2026 07:18     Subject: Moving and analyzing affording colleges

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:You have to live in Virginia, pay taxes in Virginia for at least a year to be considered in state. For getting in state admissions, that means by 11th grade (so you’ve lived here a full year before applying to schools). If you got into a school OOS, and are trying to qualify for in state tuition, the earliest you can qualify is by sophomore year.

If you live in Arlington, are registered to vote in Virginia, pay taxes in Virginia, have a Virginia license, but your kid goes to GDS or Field school, your kid is still a Virginia


Thank you. So having a house doesn't count for residency if I don't work in the area and possibly sophomore year my child could apply for in state tuition if I were to move back to the area or if they lived in Virginia and went to school. Is that right? Can you tell me more about the process sophomore year? What they need to prove at that time? Would I have needed to work in Virginia for a year before sophomore year? Or can they apply for in-state tuition on their own?


Do. Your. Own. Research.

Try Google.
Anonymous
Post 02/06/2026 06:47     Subject: Moving and analyzing affording colleges

Anonymous wrote:You have to live in Virginia, pay taxes in Virginia for at least a year to be considered in state. For getting in state admissions, that means by 11th grade (so you’ve lived here a full year before applying to schools). If you got into a school OOS, and are trying to qualify for in state tuition, the earliest you can qualify is by sophomore year.

If you live in Arlington, are registered to vote in Virginia, pay taxes in Virginia, have a Virginia license, but your kid goes to GDS or Field school, your kid is still a Virginia


Thank you. So having a house doesn't count for residency if I don't work in the area and possibly sophomore year my child could apply for in state tuition if I were to move back to the area or if they lived in Virginia and went to school. Is that right? Can you tell me more about the process sophomore year? What they need to prove at that time? Would I have needed to work in Virginia for a year before sophomore year? Or can they apply for in-state tuition on their own?
Anonymous
Post 02/06/2026 05:42     Subject: Moving and analyzing affording colleges

Your op is not clearly written.
Anonymous
Post 02/06/2026 04:39     Subject: Moving and analyzing affording colleges

Anonymous wrote:Isn't there someone in the DC area who understands east coast schools and residency requirements? I'd rather work with a consultant.


Most people in your position just ask questions here & hope the moms reply before their fourth glass of wine that day.
Anonymous
Post 02/05/2026 23:06     Subject: Moving and analyzing affording colleges

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I mainly need to understand Virginia school residency requirements for owning a home in the commonwealth but living and having a student attend high school in another state.


Your domicile has to be in Virginia.
Just because you own a home in Virginia means nothing. You can’t use your vacation home or second home or rental in Virginia to claim residency but you actually live in another state. WTH?


This. You can’t do what you want to do OP. You’ll be paid in another state. Thats a red flag. You already know this, which is why you are trying to find a consultant to either tell you how to end run this or so you can point to them when you get caught.
Anonymous
Post 02/05/2026 22:32     Subject: Moving and analyzing affording colleges

Generally speaking, the location of your child's high school and your primary home address are the first pass at residency. Not sure which metro area you're referring to, but SUNY will offer in-state tuition to NY high school grads, even if the family lives in NJ or CT, for example. You need to look at the specific state university system rules for the area you're moving to.
Anonymous
Post 02/05/2026 22:16     Subject: Moving and analyzing affording colleges

Anonymous wrote:I mainly need to understand Virginia school residency requirements for owning a home in the commonwealth but living and having a student attend high school in another state.


Your domicile has to be in Virginia. Just because you own a home in Virginia means nothing. You can’t use your vacation home or second home or rental in Virginia to claim residency but you actually live in another state. WTH?
Anonymous
Post 02/05/2026 22:15     Subject: Moving and analyzing affording colleges

You have to live in Virginia, pay taxes in Virginia for at least a year to be considered in state. For getting in state admissions, that means by 11th grade (so you’ve lived here a full year before applying to schools). If you got into a school OOS, and are trying to qualify for in state tuition, the earliest you can qualify is by sophomore year.

If you live in Arlington, are registered to vote in Virginia, pay taxes in Virginia, have a Virginia license, but your kid goes to GDS or Field school, your kid is still a Virginia resident.
Anonymous
Post 02/05/2026 21:40     Subject: Moving and analyzing affording colleges

"The statutory requirements are:

twelve months of physical presence in Virginia (i.e. living in the state) and,
the simultaneous demonstration of domicile intent (the performance of acts of objective conduct that demonstrate intent) and,
the intent to remain in Virginia indefinitely."

https://vastatus.virginia.edu/virginia-domicile-requirements
Anonymous
Post 02/05/2026 21:36     Subject: Moving and analyzing affording colleges

I mainly need to understand Virginia school residency requirements for owning a home in the commonwealth but living and having a student attend high school in another state.
Anonymous
Post 02/05/2026 21:11     Subject: Moving and analyzing affording colleges

Isn't there someone in the DC area who understands east coast schools and residency requirements? I'd rather work with a consultant.
Anonymous
Post 02/05/2026 20:53     Subject: Moving and analyzing affording colleges

Each school defines residency slightly different but all very clearly. I’d consult the schools.
Anonymous
Post 02/05/2026 20:47     Subject: Moving and analyzing affording colleges

I have to move out of the state of Virginia to a metro area where I could live in several places like the DC metro area and have a child who is in a VA state school and another who will be applying soon. I have a lot of questions about affording schools and how to qualify for in state tuition and afford school with the new move. Is there a consultant that anyone recommends who understands in state tuition laws, FASCA laws, and tax laws to help me make the best decision to rent or buy and where to move?