How do I become a Michigan resident while at school?

I am in a bit of a twist at the moment. I'm 19 and am a freshman at the University of Cincinnati and was at Wright State University for my first quarter (we are on quarters in Ohio). After the Business week results for best undergrad business programs came out I am now looking to transfer to Michigan State University. I have already used my cousin's home address on my app. as he lives in MI and attends MSU. I will be going up there to speak with an adviser about a program that would fit me. I have searched a bit and found that I need to get my MI drivers license so I hope to do that while I am up there, but after that I'm not so sure what to do. And seeing as I still have a quarter left (ten weeks) here in Cincinnati what would you guys suggest is the best and most efficient way for me to gain in-state residency? Thanks so much I really appreciate it.

First, you should fully understand the risk of what you are doing and how it could be interpreted. MSU's residency guidelines aren't very specific with how they handle students who are accused of falsifying information for the purpose of receiving in-state tuition. Likely it is managed on a case by case basis, though it's probably never taken lightly. Some schools will retroactively charge your account using the out-of-state rate. Meaning you be left to pay the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition for however long you have been attending school. If your story has a crack that takes 2-3 years to develop, it could become an extremely expensive problem when it does. This of course is assuming MSU were to take such an action for a given event.

What I would do is move to Michigan, follow every point of MSU's residency guideline, while documenting Everything. Note point III.G

# A person who physically resides in Michigan for 12 consecutive months without enrolling in any academic courses at any two-year or four-year degree granting institution may matriculate as an in-state student immediately thereafter.

One thing to remember is that, if you are a minor, having your parent's claim you as a dependent on their taxes will screw up everything.

Another is that documentation is critical. If MSU were to ask for your w2, tax receipts, or latest pay stub, be confident that you can provide it.

Just remember that MSU has to look through thousands of applications a year and students trying to find cracks to sneak through is nothing new for them. Good luck.