Random Question Thread.

[madpersian]

If they used the cheapest shipping option it can take that long but over three weeks would be too long.

[Greatguardian]

1. If one has been living in the same state for a year, how does one generally prove residency for that long if, say, they want to enroll in college at the in-state rate? Is a copy of an apartment lease good enough or is there some other, more concrete way of providing proof of residence that I'm overlooking?

Recently went through this myself. Registration to vote in the state and a registered driver's license in the state are a big help. A utility bill and a ledger from your landlord (or copy of lease, etc) proving that you've been living there for X amount of time are also really helpful. You'll want to look into your school's particular procedure for verifying residency and hound after them to make sure all your ducks are in a row long in advance because the process takes a while.

For me, they automatically rejected pretty much every application for changing to in-state tuition and then just let us come back and appeal it to committee. This took a couple months. Once you get to see the committee, though, it's pretty painless. It's just a bunch of professors who will let you explain the specifics of your situation, and typically try to help you out any way they can.

If you're applying to the school for the first time, I'd just apply as an in-state student from the get-go. If you're worried about it, I'd go to the school's admissions office in person and get the information straight from them. Be sure to not let them talk you down and walk you out before you have absolutely everything you need, though. College office staff is overworked and underpaid and generally dislikes dealing with what they consider to be "little things". What's important to you is not necessarily important to them. This is especially true if we're talking community colleges or smaller state/public (read: less funded) schools. Getting money out of schools is hard work these days, regardless of whether or not you're entitled to it.

[Silenka]

That sounds pretty annoying; thankfully it's only an option so might not have to go through it anyway. Thanks for the tips though.

[richardd]

Recently went through this myself. Registration to vote in the state and a registered driver's license in the state are a big help. A utility bill and a ledger from your landlord (or copy of lease, etc) proving that you've been living there for X amount of time are also really helpful. You'll want to look into your school's particular procedure for verifying residency and hound after them to make sure all your ducks are in a row long in advance because the process takes a while.

For me, they automatically rejected pretty much every application for changing to in-state tuition and then just let us come back and appeal it to committee. This took a couple months. Once you get to see the committee, though, it's pretty painless. It's just a bunch of professors who will let you explain the specifics of your situation, and typically try to help you out any way they can.

If you're applying to the school for the first time, I'd just apply as an in-state student from the get-go. If you're worried about it, I'd go to the school's admissions office in person and get the information straight from them. Be sure to not let them talk you down and walk you out before you have absolutely everything you need, though. College office staff is overworked and underpaid and generally dislikes dealing with what they consider to be "little things". What's important to you is not necessarily important to them. This is especially true if we're talking community colleges or smaller state/public (read: less funded) schools. Getting money out of schools is hard work these days, regardless of whether or not you're entitled to it.

this is really good advice.

when you go to the registration offices, they will request you fill out paperwork and ask you to provide as much documentation as you possibly can. i gave them my drivers license from Florida, my passport, and social security card, lol. and its been half a year and still going through processing. luckily, i got a place here in my name around November, so by that time next year, i don't have to keep applying for my out of state scholarship that i get from some extra curricular crap .

[Moss]

Gee, thanks. Too bad they aren't open at 11:41pm right?

lol so you were in a race against the clock to get this information?

[Boyiee]

lol so you were in a race against the clock to get this information?

No?

But how do you suppose I ask my financial aid office if they weren't open? Why would I want to drive all the way to the school the next day to stand in line to find out information that could probably be answered on here?

You realize you clicked on the random question thread, right?

[hey]

But how do you suppose I ask my financial aid office if they weren't open? Why would I want to drive all the way to the school the next day to stand in line to find out information that could probably be answered on here?

You could have emailed them.

But then i'd probably have asked here too, since it's not exactly specific to your school.

[Boyiee]

Email wouldn't have gotten an answer for at least a day for up to a week, same with a phone call. Not that there was any rush for an answer, but this forum would have had an answer typically within 24 hours while it was still fresh on my mind. Thread was used for what it was intended for.

[Moss]

Email wouldn't have gotten an answer for at least a day for up to a week, same with a phone call. Not that there was any rush for an answer, but this forum would have had an answer typically within 24 hours while it was still fresh on my mind. Thread was used for what it was intended for.

No clue why you are getting so defensive, I gave you an honest answer.

I work alongside the Financial Aid people at my school every day, and rarely is there a simple, universal answer to a question like yours. Many people aren't even aware their school has a financial aid office.

[ChairmanMeow]

I'm moving out with my boyfriend in a couple of months. I've lived with my parents up until this point. I've got furniture, kitchen supplies, and electronics covered. What am I missing? What do people typically forget? I don't want to have to buy a million things after I move. Also, general "first time moving out" advice is welcome.

[Moss]

not a direct answer but the dollar store is an excellent resource for all of that random stuff you won't realize you need until you don't have it

[Caiyuo]

might actually want to add to the "living at home" thread too since it's mostly a concentrated group of people experienced with it.

[Kerberoz]

I'm moving out with my boyfriend in a couple of months. I've lived with my parents up until this point. I've got furniture, kitchen supplies, and electronics covered. What am I missing? What do people typically forget? I don't want to have to buy a million things after I move. Also, general "first time moving out" advice is welcome.

Power strips. Everyone forgets them.

[Silenka]

I didn't forget power strips! I did, however, forget that I needed curtains right away!

CURTAINS ARE IMPORTANT. We had to put newspaper and garbage bags over the windows for the first week until we could go out shopping for actual things to put over our windows. If you're lucky enough that your place already comes furnished with blinds though (or if your bf is already living there) then you're lucky :<

Other things i ended up having to buy right away after I moved to an apt: a filtered water pitcher cause I don't like the tap water where I moved to, a bath mat for the shower cause our tub is slippery, a couple lamps cause the place was too dark. There were undoubtedly more things, but we weren't as well-prepared as you seem to be (had to start from the ground up with furniture except bed, etc)

[ChairmanMeow]

Thanks, good answers. Wouldn't have thought of the dollar store. Will definitely keep that in mind. Forgot power strips, too. Definitely going to need a filtered water pitcher too. Water here is pretty bad.

[Pyro]

Get one of the ones that attaches to the water faucet. I don't know about others but I hated having to fill up the pitcher all the time. I suppose it just depends on how much water you drink so if you drink more than 2-3 glasses a day that shit will get old really fast.

[Silenka]

Well I didn't get the faucet one because I don't think I'll be living here very long (a year, maybe a year and a half tops) and who knows where I'm going next so... but generally if you know you're gonna be there a long time should prolly get the faucet one.

[Cyn]

I'm moving out with my boyfriend in a couple of months. I've lived with my parents up until this point. I've got furniture, kitchen supplies, and electronics covered. What am I missing? What do people typically forget? I don't want to have to buy a million things after I move. Also, general "first time moving out" advice is welcome.

It's good to have a few basic tools around the house as well. Shit like flat and phillips head screwdrivers, channellocks, pliers, utility knife. Don't forget bathroom stuff either. Sucks to get all dirty moving and then realize that you need a shower curtain before you can bathe.

not a direct answer but the dollar store is an excellent resource for all of that random stuff you won't realize you need until you don't have it

THIS. Man, I remember when I was a kid, the dollar store fucking SUCKED. My girlfriend and I went into one the other day looking for something and were blown away. Can't believe some of the stuff they sell at those places these days. We bought a pitcher the day before for $8 and found one just like it for a damn dollar lol.

Power strips. Everyone forgets them.

Not me. I think I have about 6 of the things that I've accidentally stolen from work over the years.

[Siniroth]

Accidentally... right...

Seriously though I never know how someone can forget the things. I guess not everyone has numerous game and computer systems to have set up to the point of being used to having them there all the time?

[Cyn]

I had to transport lighting equipment frequently in my personal pickup truck. Sometimes shit would just get missed when I unloaded it and forgotten until I cleaned out the truck at home. The stealing was an accident, the not putting a lot of effort in returning a $6 power strip or a 15' extension cord was just pure laziness. /shrug