Hi there! I'm not sure if this is the correct subreddit to post on but I need help determining my residency availability. I lived in the state for about 2 years prior to moving to Kentucky for military reasons(I'm a military dependent to an army parent). I'm 18 now, but still in school and would like to attend a university in Washington but I'm not sure if I will be required to pay out-of-state tuition. It hasn't even been a year since I left and I miss it badly.

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peggysue_82 t1_iwaeru3 wrote on November 14, 2022 at 4:02 AM

You need to reach out to the college and ask about residency requirements.

Zhenja92 t1_iwak3w4 wrote on November 14, 2022 at 4:52 AM

What is your parents state of residency. If they kept their Washington residency (something they may well have done as we do not have income tax) then there is a good chance you qualify. If they have a different state residency that may be harder.

Pristine_Read_7476 t1_iwai7b2 wrote on November 14, 2022 at 4:33 AM

I believe so because you are a military dependent who has been continuously enrolled in a degree program but don’t rely on anything Reddit tells you. Check with an admissions officer of the schools you apply to. The applicable law is here:

https://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=250-18

encee222 t1_iwaj7m7 wrote on November 14, 2022 at 4:43 AM

This. There are other protections around residency changes for other stuff, probably this too. Ask the school.

afishda t1_iwajsvy wrote on November 14, 2022 at 4:49 AM

I think in order to qualify as a Washington state resident you need to live here for 6 months consecutive, I'm not sure how that would apply to the college requirements though.

Future_Huckleberry71 t1_iwapzra wrote on November 14, 2022 at 5:57 AM

Many military families maintain residence in tax advantaged states like Washington with no state income tax. Did your folks do that? Other six months in Washington State. Are you sure the UW will take you?

Candid-Mine5119 t1_iwaszio wrote on November 14, 2022 at 6:34 AM

Contact the Education Center on JBLM or Kitsap

cusmilie t1_iwbr1kx wrote on November 14, 2022 at 1:49 PM

This was 20 years ago, so I would double check. When I was applying for colleges, I could choose current state I was living in or state my dad was a residence of in order to receive in-state tuition. I ended up attending college in the current state and no issues with meeting residence status. The college was a former military college so totally possibly they could have had different requirements. Dad was still active duty and living in the same state while official residence was in another state.

Another path that’s much harder - I had friends that declared themselves independent. Paid first year of college as out of state and established residency that first year. Then years 2-4 were in state. It makes the loans much more difficult to obtain though.

UW financial or admissions officer can gear you to the right person to ask your questions.

zombieinferno t1_iwb54wz wrote on November 14, 2022 at 9:29 AM

Veteran. The determining factor on your residency as a minor could be your parent's residency. If they are a Washington resident who is active duty military, then their state residence doesn't change until after they separate from the service.

However if you simply lived here as a military dependent while you parent(s) were stationed here, that wouldn't change your residency. Talk to your folks about this and then you can give the correct information to the college admissions counselor.

The quickest way to determine your current residency is to ask where you were registered to vote last week?