H4 visa holder and california Residency

[Rolos]

Hello,

I am Rodrigo Saavedra-Walker, 20 years old, Chilean.

I know this question may have been asked a couple of times before, but I wasn't able to find any satisfactory answer regarding the very specific problem I am facing right now.
As some of you may know (those who are interested in the matter, I suppose), the state of California adds a "special non-resident" fee to all tuition units taken by a non-californian in a californian University (in my case, UC Berkeley).
This, by itself, would be no cause of concern for me, were it not for how ridiculously high said fee is. I'm talking about 22,000 dollars per year, without taking into account the usual tuition fees.

Having been born without the spontaneous ability to produce gold-coated oil barrels, I can't afford that, which is why I find myself asking:

Is there a way to become a Californian resident with the visa I currently have, that is, an H4 visa?

Any answers would be greatly appreciated.


P.S. I've been living in California for more than one year now, so for all practical purposes I AM a resident of the golden state. Does that count for anything? I'd really like to explore all available options before taking a future-crippling student loan.

[Subramanya]

I am Rodrigo Saavedra-Walker, 20 years old, Chilean.

I know this question may have been asked a couple of times before, but I wasn't able to find any satisfactory answer regarding the very specific problem I am facing right now.
As some of you may know (those who are interested in the matter, I suppose), the state of California adds a "special non-resident" fee to all tuition units taken by a non-californian in a californian University (in my case, UC Berkeley).
This, by itself, would be no cause of concern for me, were it not for how ridiculously high said fee is. I'm talking about 22,000 dollars per year, without taking into account the usual tuition fees.

Having been born without the spontaneous ability to produce gold-coated oil barrels, I can't afford that, which is why I find myself asking:

Is there a way to become a Californian resident with the visa I currently have, that is, an H4 visa?

Any answers would be greatly appreciated.

---- Unfortunately NO as the state of CA asks for resident status, meaning they be born or naturalized US Citiizen reiding in CA. On a H4, you haave to wait till your spouse applies for a GC and then you can also get the GC as a alternative of H1

P.S. I've been living in California for more than one year now, so for all practical purposes I AM a resident of the golden state. Does that count for anything? I'd really like to explore all available options before taking a future-crippling student loan.[/QUOTE]