Does anyone know the advantages of becoming a CA resident? Specifically when it comes to schooling. My husband will be getting out soon and we'll be staying in CA for about 2 years, while he finishes school. We would rather move back, but it makes more sense to stay since I have a good job here. Someone mentioned that it would make sense for us to become CA resident because he would automatically get a 5k/year stipend - this wouldn't take away from his GI Bill. They also mentioned more advantages, but I want to make sure they are true before we go ahead with the process. We were told that CA is one of the best states when it comes to helping former military members - I'm not sure what this means, does anyone? Any sites or contact info would be great!!! Thanks. 

If he gets out and you stay here you both have to become residents. The laws helping you keep your former residency pertain to military service not after. 

The only difference as far as school goes from what I know is you pay the CA resident price instead of the non resident and you can apply for the board of governors waiver if he starts at a junior college which could wave the cost of class. The difference between non resident and resident price is huge. Last time I attended resident was 20 a credit and non resident was like 250 a credit but that was a while ago.

But if he gets out and you stay here you will become residents you wont have a choice. CA would not be my choice, its so expensive and other states have much better benefits for former military members. Do a little more research. 

Yes, you do get a stipend from ca. Also if you stay, and have kids those children will be able to attend any ca state.college tuition free.

If your husband is less then a year from his eas he should attend the TRS class, and you should go with him. There is a ton on info shared and it is helpful to both you and him. They cover everything from the VA & DAV, to tmo, to healthcare options after the military. They even explain the old gi bill, the new gi bill, what states pay for your education, and how to maximize the education benefits. Make sure you take a notebook and a pen. 

Also if you stay, and have kids those children will be able to attend any ca state.college tuition free.

Can you please cite your source? I've never heard anything like this for the state of California and would like to know more information. Our kids are far from college age, not even preschool aged, but nonetheless I'm curious.

ETA: Never mind, I found some information. Link for anyone curious. 

If he is out of the military you have 6 months to become a legal resident. You don't have a choice. He may have a choice since is he going to be a college student. 

You also have to be a resident for XXX amount of time before you will benefit being a resident and getting instate tuition costs, etc. 

I know some states require you live there for 6 months without going to school in order to be able to claim residency there. This was the issue we would have had if we went to Oregon (not sure about here). Since my husband's current residence is FL, and he is planning on attending school when he got out, if he didn't switch his residence to Oregon at least 6 months BEFORE getting out, then the schools in Oregon would charge the out of state tuition (which is crazy expensive.) As long as he was going to school in Oregon, he would be considered an out of state student during his whole schooling, even if he had changed his residency to Oregon before getting out. The schools are stupid like that I guess. In order to avoid the out of state fees, he has to have residency in Oregon for at least 6 consecutive months without attending school before you can get the in state tuition as a resident. 

Will he still be in the active reserves at all? 

PamL - No, he's getting out all together. We are planning to start a family in the 2 years and we don't want to put the kids through deployments so the best is civilian life.

Can I attend the TRS class without my husband? - he's deployed.

Youreallythinkso - Cali is expensive, but definitely not as expensive as NY. Thankfully I have a really good job here so I can hold down the fort and let him concentrate on school. He has less than 2 years so it makes sense to stay here in the meantime. What other states have you heard have good benefits and what kind of benefits?