Let me guess, are you thinking that if you put your father’s address on your application, you will qualify for resident tuition? My advice to you, they will not classify as a resident just because you list your father’s address on your application. In determining your residency status, they look at your physical presence in the state and if you were claimed as a dependent on someone who filed state taxes as a resident of Michigan. When they see that you are attending high school in Alabama, they will know that you are most likely not a resident of Michigan, rather you are a resident Alabama. So they will question you on your residency status. They may in fact request for your father’s taxes as proof that you are listed as a dependent on his Michigan State tax returns.

You will get caught, since you’ll need to send your high school transcripts from Alabama. If you think you’re borderline for getting into these places, and that Michigan residency will put you over the top, then you could consider moving in with your dad for a year and working to establish residency, and then re-applying.

For financial aid you are actually required to use the tax information of the parent who actually provides most of your financial support, not whichever one you think will get you more financial aid. Go to www.fafsa.ed.gov and read the rules.