Residency FAQ

Why should I establish residency?

Establishing residency allows a student to take advantage of the lower registration fees charged to residents of California. In many cases, it may reduce education costs substantially.

How is residency determined?

Residence status is based on the Application for Admission, Residence Questionnaire, Residence Reclassification Request Form, California Nonresident Tuition Exemption Request, or, as necessary, other evidence as furnished by the student. A student who does not submit adequate information to establish a right to classification as a California resident will be classified as a nonresident. The burden of proof of residency rests solely with the student.

What happens to a student who has been classified as a nonresident?

A student who is classified as a nonresident may seek reclassification for any subsequent term. In addition to the CSU Residence Questionnaire form, and documentation that shows physical presence and intent to make California their permanent home, students must also demonstrate financial independence. Financial independence can be demonstrated by the parent's last three years of their federal income tax returns.

How do I establish permanent residency?

To be classified as a California resident for tuition purposes, a student (or parent, in the case of a minor) must demonstrate physical presence and intent to make California his or her permanent home. This is by providing evidence of one year and one day, immediately prior to the Residence Determination Date, of intent to establish residency. Get forms and instructions here.

How do I qualify for classification as a California resident for tuition purposes?

To be eligible for classification as a California resident for tuition purposes, the student must have established and maintained permanent residence in the state of California at least one year and one day prior to the Residence Determination Date. A student is not eligible if s/he moved to California primarily to attend a California higher education institution or because of a financial hardship. The student must prove that s/he moved to California permanently and are not merely living in California temporarily.

How do I qualify for resident status as a minor student?

If the student is under the age of 19, the student’s residence status is derived from that of the parent or, if both parents are deceased, from that of the legal guardian. Minor students must report parental information, as well as their own, to verify California residence.

If I am undocumented can I go to college?

An undocumented student can attend any college or university in California, as long as s/he meets the requirements and are admitted/accepted. To avoid paying out-of-state tuition, a student must meet the AB 540 eligibility requirements.

Is there any other options to qualify for in-state tuition?

Yes. Types of Exemptions include the following:

1. Military - Exemptions available to active military personnel, their dependents, or to recently discharged military personnel

2. Spouse or child of deceased law enforcement or fire suppression and prevention public employee also known as the Alan Pattee Scholarship

3. Employees of the CSU or California State employees assigned outside California and their spouses, registered domestic partners and children

4. Employees of California school districts

5. Amateur Student Athletes

Get additional information on Exceptions and Exemptions here.

What is AB-540/AB-2000/SB-68?

The Assembly Bill 540 (AB-540) and AB-2000 permits exemption from paying nonresident tuition fees for certain eligible California high school graduates. To qualify for in-state tuition fees under AB-540 or AB-2000, a student must meet the eligibility requirements for this program. Applicants must submit an AB-540 Affidavit (California Nonresident Tuition Exemption Request form) along with the most current official high school transcript to the Office of Admission. AB-540 and AB-2000 does not grant residency status; rather, it exempts/waives a student from paying nonresident tuition fees. A student will continue to be classified as a nonresident for tuition purposes.

Senate Bill 68 expands to include attendance at California Community Colleges and Adult Schools. To qualify, student must meet one of the following criteria: a) Graduation from a California high school or attainment of an associate's degree or fulfillment of the minimum requirements to transfer to a CSU. Applicants must submit an AB-540 Affidavit (California Nonresident Tuition Exemption Request form) along with the most current official transcripts from K-12 or adult school and official transcript from a California Community College to the Office of Admissions. SB-68 does not grant residency status; rather, it exempts/waives a student from paying nonresident tuition fees. A student will continue to be classified as a nonresident for tuition purposes.

What are the Residence Determination Dates?

The Residence Determination Dates are set for each academic term and it is part of the residency determination process. The Residence Determination Dates for each term are as follows:

Fall Semester	September 20th
Spring Semester	January 25th
Summer Semester	June 1st

Documents must be dated one year and one day prior to the Residence Determination Date.

What is the deadline to submit a complete request of reclassification?

The residency document deadline is set for each academic term and is part of the Residence Determination Date. The residency document deadline for each term are as follows:

Fall Semester	September 20th
Spring Semester	January 25th
Summer Semester	June 1st

Will my documents be returned once they have been used to determine residency?

Please note that documents and records received by CSUDH will become the property of the university and will not be returned to the student or forwarded to any other institution or agency.

How can I appeal my residency classification?

Students classified as nonresidents may appeal to the Chancellor's Office within 30 calendar days of the issuance of the notification of the final campus decision. The campus decision may be appealed only if at least one of the following applies:

The decision was based on:
1. a significant error of fact;
2. a significant procedural error; or
3. an incorrect application of law which, if corrected, would require that the student be reclassified as a resident; and/or,
Significant new information, not previously known or available to the student, become 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.

Students must explain why the appeal meets one or more of the above appeal criteria and provide supporting documentation. For example, a "significant error of fact" could be demonstrated by stating that the campus incorrectly determined that a specific document, such as a driver's license, was untimely and by providing a copy of the document establishing the error. An appeal that only states "a significant error of fact" will be denied.

A campus residency classification appeal must be submitted online.