There is another solution if your recent HS grad is qualified for and having difficulty getting accepted into CSU/UC as a freshman or is a junior who is unable to enter into the program of their choice in CSU/UC after community college. If you have willing relatives in another state, you can send your kid to live with them where they will have to get some kind of work (even min wage) immediately and start producing checkstubs and eventually W-2(s) to prove they have been a resident of that state for at least one year. Between you and your kid, you could compensate the host relative. It wouldn’t be a crime to take a year-plus off in the college-age years to work. They would absolutely HAVE to work to prove residency, though, AND claim themselves on their tax return(s). Most states are very strict on accepting young students as residents who possess recent out-of-state HS diplomas or Associate degrees. They ALL want the out-of-state tuition if they can get it. They will not accept “living with grandma” as being a resident. The kid could have just arrived last week.
