I am going to grad from community college in 3 semesters (Since I've been slacking.)

I want to go to UNC-Chapel Hill or UNC-Asheville but have to redevelop my in-state residency since I lost it. How long can I defer payments for? I need to stay in-state for 12 months while gathering time for residency requirements. My loans will only be for $7,000 which isn't much since it's sub'd stanford loans but I do have full intent of continuing my education at a four year university.

It was 6 months for me when I switched schools.

Have you considered taking additional classes while you wait for residency?
Wake tech is a NC school that ofers online and classroom classes, and they are DIRT CHEAP.
Might be cheaper than your loan payments, IDK.

Unc is pretty awesome

I could take two classes during that time at a local community college in NC, but I would be charged out of state tuition. ($200 per credit.) I'm looking at two different scenarios......

-Finish up 1 year at my local community college gathering 30-35 credits, and then not continue school and pay off the small loan I took out for it. Save cash for 2 years ($13,000-$20,000) and back home to NC, develop my residency and finish community college there then transfer to UNC-Asheville.

Community College in MA- $131 per credit
AB Tech in Asheville- $41 per credit.

I'm trying to look at this long-term and financially. I'm 24 right now, by the time I graduate from a 4 year school I will be 30......kinda sad but nessicary.

-Stick it out and suffer and get my Associates up here in MA, move to NC in 2 years along with the cash I have saved, wait the 12 months for in-state residency and then attend UNC-Asheville.

I'm rather confused on what I should do because either way I'm going to try and defer my loan, but it's unclear if they would allow me to since I wouldn't be part-time student.

My advice, find a way to stay enrolled and taking classes, even online, while you establish residency and raise funds. Your repayment is contingent upon staying in school p/t or >, paying a little extra now is better than having to notify and fill out the in-school deferment forms and make sure they are processed, checking the status every once in a while, blah. Stay in school!

You provide an excellent point. I'm paying $121 now per credit, @ $200 per credit for out of state tuition it isn't that big of a difference. Figure I take 2 classes (6 credits to qualify for part-time) each semester for two semesters just to keep my student loans at bay.....

-12 credits for a year @ $200 each is $2,400 since it's out of state tuition.
-If I was taking in-state tuition in Mass it would be 12 credits @ $131 each it would be $1572.

Not much in a difference, plus it may look better to the UNC admissions that I'm still participating in school while re-establishing my residency for North Carolina. You've given me much to think about......

As a UNC alum myself (go Heels!!! Down with Duke!!!) who went through the NC community college system, I can see why you would wait to take associate degree courses in NC. It is dirt cheap for in-state students.

On the other hand, staying in school would be important in terms of deferment.

I would probably say stay in school.

Hm...I've been considering a degree from UNC Wilmington, this is all good feedback. Thanks!