CALENDARS

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.

How to submit a Residency Reclassification Request

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 California resident for tuition purposes please do the following:

Send an email requesting residency reclassification to the following email: PierceAdmissions@PierceCollege.edu
You will receive an email with instructions on how to proceed.
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.

REFERENCE: Residency Requirements.