College Question

I'm new here and really glad that I found this website/forum! I have been looking through the threads and I don't think I've read a situation similar to mine

The problem: I attended high school in California, graduated, and moved to Texas. I didn't know what to do because of my situation so I moved. I'm currently attending a community college here on an out of state tuition. Is it possible for me to get in state tuition? I want to transfer to UT or UH after I'm done with reqs (I'm thinking of other schools as well).

I know that TX and CA have similar laws with undocumented students who went to high school in their states. Can I even move back to CA and still get in state tuition? Stay in TX and wait for the DREAM Act?

I was reading the bills and you can do either or. You can go back to CA since you have graduated from a CA high school or you can stay in TX and get in-state only if you have lived there for a full year prior to attending college. You will need to sign an affidavit regardless of where you choose to go to school.

Since you have already been in TX and it sounds like you may have been there for more than a year, you can get in-state tuition there.

Go here to learn more about CA law.
Go here to learn more about TX law.

come back to CA man, u should be able to get instate tuition

yes why did u leave cali when u can get in state tuition here? you're paying more in texas. i was actually thinking of doing the same exact thing a year ago or so since i have relatives in texas. i even did research and stuff and found out if u graduated from a high school in texas then your eligible to receive financial aid.

This is good info! My family just (last yr) moved to Texas. I've one question too..
If I attended two years of college in Florida, and moved to Texas and live there for one yr then apply for UH will that still be eligible for in-state or is it one year before applying for college from the beginning?

Thanks!

What would they need as proof for living in TX for one year?

AWESOME~ What if I live with my parents and the utility bills are in my parents' name?
No way I'll get paystubs, hehe. "Not allowed to work".

Well, we've been in Texas for a year or more, but my parents didn't know they could pay taxes, without the immi guys coming to our doors, until a few months ago.

But, I think I understand what you mean. I'll ask my parents to see what they can do.

sorry if i havent gone back to this thread...been quite busy

Thanks for the info! However, when I looked at UT Austin's website, it states:

Q. I am an international student and I want to know how I can establish residency?
A. The following international students are eligible to establish a domicile in Texas under the law and can obtain Texas residency if they meet the basic residency requirements as listed in the first question on this list:
* Parolee, holder of asylum status or refugee
* A student who has applied for adjustment of status to permanent residency (must have received an I-485 notice of action for the green card application)
* Holder of a visa that is eligible to domicile in the US. See THECB list of eligible visas.
* High school graduation in Texas after 36 months of residence in the state (see next FAQ).

Q. I am an international student who has attended a Texas high school for three consecutive years. Can I qualify for Texas residency?
A. International students who meet all of the following requirements will qualify for Texas residency regardless of INS status:

* Graduate from a Texas High school or receive a GED.
* Reside in Texas for the 36 months immediately preceding graduation from a Texas high school or receipt of the GED.
* Reside in Texas the 12 months preceding the census date of the academic semester in which the person enrolls in an institution of higher education.
* Sign an affidavit stating that you meet the above qualifications and will apply for permanent residency upon first availability to do so.

It's from here.

So I don't know what to do. I might just go back to CA this summer if I can't establish residency here in Texas. Has anyone gotten in state tuition in Texas although they didn't go to high school here?

Any information is highly appreciated

Hi, I go to UH, so I can provide some information. Yes, an undocumented student does need to have graduated from a Texas high school or got you GED from Texas to qualify for SB 1528/HB 1403 (Texas residency).

I think you have four real options.
1) Stay in Texas, and pay out-of-state tuition.
2) Go to Cali, and qualify for instate tuition there.
3) This option depends on your grades/SAT/ACT. If you get accepted to a Texas college, and get a $1000 scholarship, then you qualify to pay instate tuition. It's something special Texas does to attract talent from other states.
4) Get into a private college(Rice/Baylor/etc.) in Texas. This is similar to option 1, since you pay out-of-state tuition, but private schools are more generous with scholarships. You do need the grades though.

Those are really the only options I can think of.

Edit: About option 3, I haven't heard of a undocumented student who has gone that route. Would probably be more difficult being undocumented.