My family just moved to California because of my parent's military job. I've heard somewhere that military children might be eligible for in-state tuition fees at community colleges here? Can someone shed some light on this?
Yes, that's correct. California offers in-state tuition for dependents of active-duty military members stationed in the state, even if they have not met the usual residency requirements. This is often referred to as the "Nonresident Tuition Exemption" and it can apply to the University of California (UC), California State University (CSU), and California Community College systems with some variations.
For example, under the Veteran's Access, Choice, and Accountability Act (VACA Act), eligible students who are dependents of a parent who is an active-duty member stationed in California are eligible for resident tuition rates.
So if your parents are currently stationed in California due to their military duties and you're their dependent, you would qualify for in-state tuition at any public college in California.
Do remember to check the specific procedures to claim this tuition status, as each college or university may have different forms or procedures that you'll need to follow. It's also worth noting that while you're eligible for in-state tuition, there may be other fees that you still have to pay, such as lab or course fees, so be sure to check those as well.
Hope this helps and feel free to ask if you have more questions!
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