CALIFORNIA RESIDENCY FOR TUITION PURPOSE

CALIFORNIA RESIDENCY FOR TUITION PURPOSE

General Information

By California law, every student attending a Community College must be classified as either a resident or nonresident for tuition purposes. This classification is important because nonresidents must pay an additional amount per unit.

Residency for Tuition Purposes

"Residency" for tuition purposes determines whether a student pays in-state or out-of-state tuition fees, not if a student is a resident of California. Generally, to be eligible for classification as a California resident for tuition purposes, the student (or if the student is a minor, the parent or legal guardian) must provide verification that the dual requirements of physical presence* in California and the intent to remain indefinitely in the state are satisfied. For details, please see the CSU Chancellor’s Office website Classification: Determination of Residency.

*Physical presence within California solely for educational purposes does not constitute establishment of California residence.

Establishing Residency

Incoming students and applicants may request residency classification for tuition purposes, and continuing students may request reclassification after initial residency determination. To be reclassified, continuing students must demonstrate financial independence in addition to the requirements of physical presence and intent to remain indefinitely in the state (see #3 below).

Applicants, incoming and continuing students seeking to classify or reclassify from nonresident to resident for tuition purposes should:

• Complete the Supplemental Residence Questionnaire (SRQ).
  
  
• Provide documentation to demonstrate that intent was established more than one year (at least one year and one day) prior to the Residence Determination Date. Examples of documents to submit as evidence are listed on the SRQ.
  
  
• Continuing students seeking reclassification must also satisfy the requirement of financial independence.  
  
  
• Students may be eligible for the California Nonresident Tuition Exemption AB - 540.
  
  
• The burden of proof of residence rests solely with the student. Students from whom additional information is required will be contacted by letter or email with further instructions.

REFERENCE: Residency Requirements.