Establishing residency in Florida?

Question

I am currently a California resident, but I would like to establish residency in Florida because I have a job with The Walt Disney Company in FL, and I anticipate on staying there long-term. The problem is that I am still just 20 years old and I am considered 'dependent' on my parents which means I must remain a California resident until I turn 24.

However, if I am able to support myself financially fully, that is, without the aid of my parents or anybody else, would I be able to make a strong case that I am 'independent'? With the position with Disney, I would be fully capable of supporting myself financially.

Also, while I'm not moving to Florida and attempting to gain residency solely for college, I do think that I'd like to attend college there in a few years when I'm ready. If anybody knows, are the classifications for being 'independent' different for claiming Residency and for the FAFSA? I think that if I am working, paying taxes, registered to vote, licensed to drive, etc. in Florida while being self-supporting financially, that means I would be independent for Residency purposes, while in order to be considered independent for financial aid (meaning they don't expect my parents to help me pay for college) you have to be 24 or married/have kids/veteran of the military. I'm sorry if this all sounds confusing, but I doubt that until I turn 24, I would NOT be considered 'independent' for the FAFSA/financial aid purposes, but I am just not sure if that would also make me NOT considered 'independent' for Residency purposes, even if I pay state taxes, registered to vote, licensed to drive, self-supporting financially, etc. I am just unsure if being considered 'dependent' for one of them means I am automatically considered 'dependent' for the other as well.

My priority is being a Florida resident, ahead of being considered 'independent' for the FAFSA, just to be clear. Besides, if I was a FL resident, I'd qualify for in-state tuition anyways.

Please let me know if I need to clarify anything, any help would be great, thanks!

? · Accepted Answer

Once you hit 19, you have to meet the criteria to be a qualifying child so your parents can continue to claim you. Mainly, you must be in college full time for at least 5 months per year, you must live with them at least half the year (attending an out of state college and living in a dorm is okay, too), they must support you by providing at least half of your expenses (you can't earn much more than 3K per year on your own) or you must be disabled. 

If you are not in school, and not disabled, you don't qualify after age 19 legally as a dependent no matter where you live. 

Also, if you are 18 and decide to leave home and support yourself, even if you are in school, your parents can't claim you against your wishes if you are self-supporting and establishing residency elsewhere. You are free to be self-supporting and file your own taxes after age 18. 

To become a Florida resident, come here and get a residence. Go to the county clerks office and file a declaration of domicile.  Boom. You are a FL resident.

The other urgent issue is now getting a FL driver's license & insurance. I think you have something like 10 days after establishing residency. All you need is proof of address (lease, utility bill, etc.). 

Once you are a FL resident, you can file FAFSA here and you can get in-state tuition.

FL doesn't have the red tape for things that Cali does. Paperwork is generally simpler here.

DS · Answer

If you GOOGLE "florida residency requirements college" the full OFFICIAL explanation of requirements is literally the first link that pops up

http://www.flbog.edu/forstudents/ati/resrequirements.php

Trending News

Establishing residency in Florida?

2 Answers