When moving to another state, from Ca to Alabama, does it affect how you are helped financially with college

When moving to another state, from Ca to Alabama, does it affect how you are helped financially with college?
I've lived all of my 18 years in California, born and raised. Now in May I will graduated from high school, but will maybe soon be moving to Alabama. Will it affect how I will be helped for college when I do move there, in June. How can I get help for college in Alabama and how do I get residency. If I missed anything else, please leave me a message. Thank you.
Higher Education (University +) - 4 Answers
People's Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
Answer 1 :
Generally you will want to have lived in the state before applying for college. Why? Out of state tuition is substantially more than in state. Financial aid wise, it shouldn't hurt you too much but for some grants I know are only for residence (those who live in the state, usualy for a set time of 1 year.)
Answer 2 :
First of all, if you are moving to Alabama to go to school, you can't get residency, since states specifically exclude anyone who moves to a place to go to school, unless your parents are moving to Alabama too. In that case, the state looks at where your parents live to determine your residency if you are under the age of 19. If not, you would have to go there and work for a year without going to school to establish residency. As to financial aid, you may not be eligible for state aid, if there is any, but you would still be eligible for any federal aid. Each school calculates that by looking at your needs (which vary, since the cost of school varies from one state and school to another) and how much of that need they expect you to cover, based upon things like your parents' income (this all goes onto your FAFSA form). They then offer you aid to make up the difference.
Answer 3 :
You will need to establish residency. Most states require that you live there is year. But there is a college clause. If you are financially dependent on someone who lives in another state (i.e. a parent) you can not qualify for in-state tuition. Alabama public colleges are not that expensive compared to other state colleges. Bama is great (Roll Tide!!) Auburn sucks (Roll Tide!) but it's a public school too.
Answer 4 :
In-state residency for public colleges in Alabama is determined when you apply to college there, and at that time you must have lived in Alabama for twelve months (your parents must have paid Alabama state taxes last year). So, for at least your first year, you'll be paying out-of-state tuition! Once you're 19 you'll be able to establish residency in Alabama apart from your parents, plus your parents will have lived there for a year, so for your sophomore year you should be able to change your status to resident either of those two ways. BTW, if you have need definitely still apply for financial aid (it doesn't matter with that whether you're an in-state or out-of-state resident)! GOOD LUCK :)