Residency
Residency for Tuition Purposes
California state law distinguishes between those classified as residents and non-residents for tuition purposes. This is only used to determine if a student will pay in-state or out of state tuition. If a student is considered non-resident for tuition purposes, they will incur additional fees per units. To view payable fees, visit the Student Accounting & Cashiering Services website.
What is residency for tuition purposes?
The determination of residency for tuition purposes affects whether a student pays in-state or out-of-state tuition fees. Out-of-state tuition fees are higher than in-state tuition fees. Just because a student is or has been a resident of the State of California does not mean that they qualify to receive the in-state tuition rate. Certain requirements, established under California law, must be met. The provisions for California residency for tuition purposes at the California State University (CSU) differ from other provisions of California residency. Additionally, the provisions for residency at the CSU differ from those at the University of California and the California Community Colleges.
It is the responsibility of the student to verify all fee balances prior to the start of the term. Out-of-state tuition will be charged if the student did not meet the residency or Non-Resident Tuition Exemption (AB540) requirements. If a student paid out-of-state tuition in previous terms, the CSU is unable to grant retroactive requests or change residency status as evidence of California residency was not provided to the campus by the stated deadlines.
Residency Determination Date
The Residence Determination Date is a date in which supporting documents and physical presence must be met for the previous year. This means that students must be physically present and show the intent of making California their permanent home a year and one day prior to the Residence Determination Date.
For example, if a student plans to attend the CSU for Fall 2020 academic term, and the Residence Determination Date for that term is September 20, 2020, the student must establish physical presence in California no later than September 19, 2019.
Important Residency Dates and Deadlines
Semester | Residence Determination Date | Residency for Submission Deadline |
---|---|---|
Fall | September 20 | September 1 (current year) |
Spring | January 25 | January 15 (current year) |
Summer | July 1 | May 15 (current year) |
More Information
A student seeking to pay in-state tuition at a California State University campus as a first-time freshman, transfer, or as a post-baccalaureate/graduate student must have an eligible immigration status to establish residency, meet physical presence by the Residence Determination Date, and demonstrate intent to indefinitely remain in the State of California for more than one year immediately preceding the Residence Determination Date (RDD).
Generally speaking, to be eligible for classification as a California resident for tuition purposes, the student or if the student is a minor, the parent/guardian must provide verification that these requirements are satisfied:
- Physical Presence. The student or parent/guardian must be physically present in California for more than one year immediately preceding the Residence Determination Date in which enrollment is contemplated. For example, if a student plans to attend the CSU for the Fall 2022 academic term, and the Residence Determination Date for that term is September 20, 2021, the student must establish physical presence in California no later than September 19, 2021.
- Intent. California law stipulates the burden of proof rests with the student, and merely living in California for a year does not support a claim for residency for tuition purposes. The student, or in some cases a parent or legal guardian, must demonstrate intent to remain indefinitely in the state for more than one year immediately preceding the Residence Determination Date (RDD) and sever all residential ties with the former state or country of residence. If the student is under the age of 19, the student's residence status is derived from that of the parent or legal guardian unless an exception applies. There must be sufficient documentation to demonstrate that intent was established more than one year (a minimum of one year and one day) before the RDD
- Eligible Immigration Status. A student seeking to pay in-state tuition at a California State University campus as a first-time freshman, transfer, or post-baccalaureate/graduate student must have an eligible immigration status to establish residency. Therefore, the student must be a United States citizen, a permanent resident (Green Card holder), or hold an eligible visa status (see Visa Types and Nonimmigrant Status).
Documents Required:
A minimum of three documents is required. At least one document must be from list A, and the remaining documents may be selected from either List A or List B.
Options to meet the requirement:
- Option 1: One document from list A and two documents from List B
- Option 2: Two documents from list A and one document from List B
- Option 3: All three documents from list A (for example, CA driver's license, CA vehicle registration, and CA Voter Registration card)
Please note: Additional documents may be requested in addition to the documents listed in List A and B to determine the residence status
List A | List B |
---|---|
California State Income Tax Return | Federal Income Tax Return with a California address |
Ownership of residential property as a primary residence in California (must meet RDD) | Utility bill (e.g., cell phone, gas, electrical) with same California address (must meet RDD, and only one utility bill will be accepted) |
Continuous occupancy of rented or leased property in California (must meet RDD) | Maintaining Active Resident Memberships in Professional Organizations (e.g., police union, teacher's union) (must meet RDD) |
Obtaining a California Driver's License or Identification Card (must meet RDD) | Maintaining an Active Bank Account with a California address (must meet RDD) |
Registering To Vote and Voting history (must meet RDD) | Employment in California (e.g., verification of employment, W-2, pay stubs) (must meet RDD) |
Registering a Motor Vehicle Operated in California (must meet RDD) | Vehicle insurance with a California address (student must be listed in the policy) (must meet RDD) |
Permanent Military Address or Home of Record on Military Records | Selective Service Registration with a California address |
Receipt of California state services (e.g., unemployment, disability, CalFresh) (must meet RDD) | Court documents (e.g., ward of the court, divorce decree, or child support) |
Payment of nonresident tuition at an out-of-state institution if attended within the past year |
A student classified as a nonresident for a prior term may seek reclassification in any subsequent term; however, reclassification requires that, in addition to satisfying the requirements of physical presence, intent to remain indefinitely in the state, and eligible immigration status, the student must also satisfy the requirement of financial independence as outlined in Title 5 CCR § 41905.5. To do so, the student must complete the Residence Questionnaire Form and provide supporting documents.
41905.5. Residence Reclassification - Financial Independence Requirement
- Any nonresident student requesting reclassification to resident for tuition purposes must demonstrate financial independence
- Student has not and will not be claimed as an exemption for state and federal tax purposes by his/her parent in the calendar year the reclassification application is made and in any of the three calendar years prior to the reclassification application
- Student has not and will not receive more than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750) per year in financial assistance from his/her parent in the calendar year the reclassification application is made and in any of the three calendar years prior to the reclassification application
- Student has not lived and will not live for more than six weeks in the home of his/her parent during the calendar year the reclassification application is made and in any of the three calendar years prior to the reclassification application
Note: Students who receive a government scholarship and/or financial assistance should be viewed the same as state and federal financial aid, and athletics grants-is-aid; and should not be counted as parental support.
If the student meets at least one of the following criteria, the student does not have to meet the financial independence requirement. Student must provide the campus admissions office supporting documents (e.g. state income tax returns, court documents, marriage certificate, military order form) that demonstrate they meet the criteria.
- Dependent on a parent who has California residence for more than one year immediately preceding the residence determination date;
- Enrolled in a graduate or post‐baccalaureate program, regardless of age;
- Turned 24 years of age by the residence determination date;
- Married or registered domestic partner as of the residence determination date;
- Active-duty members serving in the U.S Armed Forces
- Veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces
- Legal dependent other than spouse or registered domestic partner
- Former ward of the court, foster youth or both parents are deceased
- Declared by a court to be an emancipated minor
- Unaccompanied youth who is homeless or at risk of becoming homeless
Students financially dependent on nonresident parents are not eligible for reclassification. As with the initial residence classification, the campus must review the information presented by the student in connection with any subsequent reclassification request and notify the student of its decision. If reclassification is denied, the student has the right to appeal if they meet the criteria for appeals.
To request reclassification, please sumbit the CSU Residence Questionnaire Form
For more information on residency policies, visit the California State University Chancellor's Office – Classification for Determining Residency
Students not classified as California residents for tuition purposes may qualify for an exception or an exemption from payment of nonresident tuition. A list of exceptions can be found on the CSU website.
Below are Common ExceptionsThe CSU is deeply committed to ensuring academic opportunities are available to all California students, regardless of citizenship status. If you are undocumented, the CSU has many resources available; please refer to the Resources for Undocumented Students website. In addition, our campus has dedicated staff to help you navigate the campus and provide you with resources to succeed. Please visit our Bronco Dreamers Resource Center website or send an email to dream@cpp.edu.
California Nonresident Tuition Exemption (AB 540 Exemption)
Nonresident students (including US citizens, permanent residents, and undocumented individuals, including students with a T visa U visa, DACA, asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile visa holder, VAWA, or TPS) may be exempted from paying nonresident tuition (out-of-state tuition). Students seeking the AB 540 Exemption must satisfy attendance and graduation/transfer requirements from a California school (e.g., K-12, adult school, and community college). Students must have a CSU California Nonresident Tuition Exemption Request form (AB 540 form) with official transcripts on file with the campus admissions office and remain classified as nonresidents.
Additional Information:
- Students eligible for this exemption who are transferring to another California public college or university must submit a new request (and documentation if required) to each college under consideration.
- Nonresident students meeting the criteria will be exempted from the payment of nonresident tuition, but they will not be classified as California residents. They continue to be “nonresidents."
- It is important to note that students who take adult school or community college courses while concurrently enrolled in a CSU to qualify for the AB540/ SB68 exemption will continue to be charged out-of-state tuition as nonresidents until the exemption requirements are fulfilled.
- students who already earned a high school diploma or the equivalent from another state may not take courses to obtain a California high school diploma or the equivalent in order to be granted the exemption.
NOTE: Students who qualify for this exemption may also be eligible to apply for and receive funds from certain state and institutional financial assistance programs through the California Dream Act.
Forms Name/Link | Description | Additional Information |
---|---|---|
California Nonresident Tuition Exemption Request (AB540/AB200) | Students who do not meet the requirements for California resident status but may qualify for the AB540/AB2000 nonresident tuition fee waiver | About AB540/AB200 |
CSU Residence Questionnaire Form | Correct reported residency information or request a residence reclassification to California resident status. | Classification: Determination of Residency |
While there is no appeal process for the AB540 / AB2000 / SB68 exemption, a student may submit an online appeal of their residence classification within 30 days ONLY if the appeal meets the requirements outlined below.
Any student, following a final campus decision concerning the student's residency determination, may appeal online to the Chancellor's Office of the California State University within 30 calendar days of the issuance of the notification of the final campus decision.
Appeals will be accepted only if at least one of the following applies:
- a significant error of fact by the campus;
- a significant procedural error by the campus; or
- an incorrect application of law which, if corrected, would require that the student be reclassified as a California resident; and/or,
Significant new information, not previously known or available to the student, became available after the date of the campus decision classifying the student as a nonresident and based on the new information, the classification as a nonresident is incorrect.
A student must explain why the appeal meets one or more of the above appeal criteria and provide relevant supporting documentation.
An appeal must be filled with the CSU Chancellor’s Office.- Cal Poly Pomona cannot alter or waive the eligibility criteria for any reason.
- Financial hardship cannot be considered in evaluating California residency for tuition purposes eligibility.
- Under California law, if you have moved to California primarily to attend a California institution of higher learning, then you are not eligible for California residency for tuition purposes.
- Living in California for 12 months is not an automatic qualification for California residency for tuition purposes. You must prove through official and/or legal documents that you have moved to California permanently and are not merely living in California temporarily while you attend California State University, however long your course of study may take.
- Despite the length of time, you attend Cal Poly Pomona or live in California, you might not qualify for California residency for tuition purposes. You must prove through official and/or legal documents that you meet all of the requirements for California residency for tuition purposes.
- Legal ties that you maintain in another state or country (e.g., state tax liability, a driver’s license, voter’s registration, etc.), regardless of your reasons for maintaining these ties, will disqualify you from California residency for tuition purposes.
- For students requesting residence reclassification, evidence that you are receiving financial support from your parents in any way, either directly (e.g. tuition payments, parent PLUS loans, etc.) or indirectly (e.g., parent-purchased or co-purchased residences, parent-controlled financial portfolios), will disqualify you from California residency for tuition purposes.
If you're a foster youth, graduate student, international student, military or dependent of military personnel or under 19, please visit the Chancellor's Office website for more information.
Additional information regarding CSU residency determination is available in our University Catalog or can be sent to our Residency Specialist via e-mail (residency@cpp.edu)
It is the responsibility of the student to verify all fee balances prior to the start of the term. Out-of-state tuition will be charged if the student did not meet the residency or Non-Resident Tuition Exemption (AB540) requirements. If a student paid out-of-state tuition in previous terms, the CSU is unable to grant retroactive requests or change residency status as evidence of California residency was not provided to the campus by the stated deadlines.