Residency for Tuition Purposes

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:

1. 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.
2. 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
3. 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               

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.

• AB 540/2000/SB68 (California Nonresident Tuition Exemption)​
• Military: Exemptions available for to active personnel, their dependents, or to recently discharged military personnel​

The 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.