Hello everyone. Currently serving active duty, but I really want to go to school in California as an in-state resident. What are the regulations and benefits in California colleges for active military personnel residency? Any suggestions and personal stories would be super appreciated.
In California, the term "resident" for tuition purposes may have a very specific meaning and usually involves living in the state for more than one year with the intent to make California your permanent home.
However, for active duty military members, California has adopted policies more favorable to service members. Under California law, nonresident U.S. military personnel on active duty in California (and their dependents) are entitled to resident classification as long as they remain continuously on active duty. What this indicates is you would be eligible for in-state tuition from the moment you begin your service in California.
To take advantage of this benefit, you will likely need to provide documentation proving your active duty status, such as a military ID or military orders, to the admissions or registrar's office at your college or university.
Moreover, remember that California offers a wealth of veterans’ educational benefits in addition to the G.I. Bill, such as the College Fee Waiver. This benefit waives the tuition and fees at any State of California Community College, California State University, or University of California campus for dependents of U.S. veterans, based on the veteran's service-connected disability status. It would be worth looking into these extra educational benefits as well.
Remember that rules may vary by institution, so it's always advisable to get in touch with the college or university directly to confirm their specific policies. You should also reach out to the school's Veterans Affairs office if they have one - they can often provide valuable guidance based on their vast experience with other military personnel and veterans experiencing the same situation.
In terms of personal stories, while I can't share personal anecdotes, I can share that countless active duty military and veterans have benefited from these favorable residency policies and support services in California's universities and colleges.
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