Residency Information

In order to be eligible for California residency for instate tuition purposes you must:

• Be a United States (U.S.) citizen or hold a U.S immigration status that does not preclude you from establishing residency. (Please see eligible visas below*). This status must have been established by/prior to the residency determination date (one year one day prior to the beginning of the term you wish to qualify). A copy of such status must be submitted to the Admissions and Records department for review in addition to the Statement of Residence and two proofs required from the Residency Checklist.
• Have been physically present in CA for one year and one day prior to the start of the term in which you wish to enroll.
  (California Administrative Code Title 5, Section 54022)
• Demonstrate clear intent to make CA your permanent home for other than a temporary purpose.(California Administrative Code Title 5, Sections 54020 & 54028).
• Continuing and Returning students petitioning for residency reclassification are required to show financial independence. Under Title V of the California Code of Regulations §54032, a student seeking reclassification as a resident, who was classified as a nonresident in the preceding term, shall be determined financially independent or dependent in accordance with California Education Code §68044 which requires that the financial independence to be included in the factors considered in determination of residence reclassification. Any student claiming application of the self-supporting exception pursuant to Education Code §68071 shall provide evidence such as: documentation, including W-2 forms or a letter from the employer, showing earnings for the year immediately preceding the residence determination date of attendance, a statement that the student has actually been present in California for said year (short absences from the state for business or pleasure will not preclude the accumulation of time) and a statement showing all expenses of the student for said year.

*Eligible visas that can establish CA residency: - U.S. Citizens / Permanent Residents, including conditional permanent residents, and applicants for permanent resident status or to adjust status (Form I-485) / Asylees and Asylum applicants / Applicants for “withholding of removal” – formerly called “withholding of deportation” / Applicants for the Family Unity Program, LIFE Act (LIFE Legalization), and LIFE Act Family Unity Provisions / Applicants for Temporary Protected Status / A1 to A3 / E1, E2, E2C, E3 / G1 to G5 / H1B, H1C, H4 / I / K1 to K4 / L1A, L1B, L2 / N8, N9 / NATO 1 to 7 / SIV / T1 to T6 / U1 to U5 / V1 to V3

California residence may be established by one of the following ways:

1. If the student is under the age of 18, his or her parents must have legal residence within the State of CA for 12 consecutive months proceeding the day before the first day of the semester.
2. If the student is 18 but not yet 19, the student and his or her parents must have had legal residence within the State of CA for 12 consecutive months proceeding the day before the first day of the semester.
3. If the student is 19 or older, the student must have had legal residence within the State of CA for 12 consecutive months proceeding the day before the first day of the semester.
4. If you have entered the U.S from another country, the college is required to use your immigration status to determine your CA residency in addition to the two required proofs and Statement of Residence form.

*If the students parents reside out of state, the student must be financially independent. Proof will be required.

Students not precluded from establishing California State residency must provide two (2) documents from two (2) different categories numbered below as evidence of physical presence and intent. Documents must be valid, readable, dated at least one year and one day prior to the start of the semester (residency determination date) requested for reclassification, and be properly identified with respect to the student’s name and California address. For a printable version please view our CCCD Residency Determination Checklist.

1. (A) Current California driver’s license or Department of Motor Vehicles documentation of California driver’s license. State law requires a resident driver to obtain a California driver’s license within 10 days from the date residence is established.
   **OR**
   (B) California Identification card.
2. California Motor Vehicle registration - California Vehicle Registration Certificate/Vehicle Title
3. Establishing and maintaining active California bank accounts - Bank statement with California address
4. Records of Income:
   (A) Documentation of employment Pay check stub, typed and signed letter from employer on company letter head with employment start date or company identification or work badge with employment dates.(B) California Resident State Income Tax Form 540NR (required by law of any part-year, taxpaying resident of California State), 540 or 540A, including W2 form from previous tax year. If the end of the tax year does not fall one year and one day prior to the residence determination date, one of the following documents so dated is also required: check stubs or a letter from the employer on official company letterhead.
   (C) Federal Income Tax Form 1040A or 1040EZ including W2 form from previous tax year with California address. (If the end of the tax year does not fall one year and one day prior to the residence determination date, one of the following documents so dated is also required: check stubs, a letter from employer)
5. Verification of California Voter Registration –Voter Registration Card
6. Documentation of purchase and occupancy of residential real estate in California - Loan papers, tax receipts, escrow papers or documentation of rental residential lease for over one year.
7. Selective Service registration with California permanent address - Selective Service Registration Card
8. Maintaining permanent military address or Home of Record (HOR) in California while serving in armed forces - DD214 or Military Orders
9. Documentation of California State Services -Notice of Action, or agreements of certification by appropriate agency showing the student as recipient; unemployment, welfare, Medi-Cal, or other CA State Services; CA State Benefits Identification Card
10. Petition for a divorce in California - Legal document
11. License from California for professional practice - Legal document
12. Documentation of active resident membership in California professional, service, or social organization - Non-profit organization, Union membership, Sport or hobby organization (School organizations not accepted)

• Students who do not meet the California residence requirements as of the day immediately preceding the first day of the term in which the student is attending are required to pay the non-resident tuition fees.
• Minors (under 18 years of age and not married) will be required to pay the non-resident tuition fee if their parents or legal guardians reside outside the state even though such minors may have lived in the State of California for one year or more. 
• Students who are financially dependent on their parents or legal guardians will be required to pay non-resident tuition if their parents or legal guardians reside outside the state even though such students may have lived in the State of California for one year or more. 
• Students holding visas that preclude them from establishing residency in California may be restricted in their enrollment and will have to pay non-resident tuition.
• Ineligible visa status include - B1, B2 / C1 to C4 / D1, D2 / F1 to F3 / J1, J2 / M1 to M3 / O2, O3 / P1 to P4 / Q1 to Q3 / S5 to S7 / TN/TD / TWOV 

• Active Military personnel stationed in CA - Active Orders and CCCD Statement of Residence form required)
• Dependents of Military personnel stationed on active duty in CA - Military Dependent Form required
• Veteran Military personnel that were stationed in CA for more than one (1) year prior to separation, not eligible for benefits (DD214 & Military Exemption Affidavit required)
• Veterans Military personnel that were on active duty service for more than 90 days who enroll in the institution where they live within three years of discharge and are benefit eligible under Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty or Post – 9/11 GI Bill education benefits (Chapter 30 & 33, respectively, of Title 38, U.S. Code) – Veterans Access, Choice AND Accountability Act (VACA) form, Certificate of Eligibility, DD214, and one proof of residence required. Failure to provide complete information may result in nonresident classification (Ed Code §68041).
• Students who have completed three (3) years of high school in CA and graduated in CA (or equivalent) may qualify for a waiver of non-resident fees by completing the California Non-Resident Tuition Exemption Request (AB540)  AND submitting official high school transcripts. *This exemption is not available for persons who are absent from California, and are taking distance education classes. Financial Aid students, this is only a waiver, it does not deem you a CA resident therefore it may affect your financial aid. Please speak to a financial aid advisor before submitting.
  
  AB540 Requirements – Must have completed at least one from each column
  
  

*A year’s equivalence at a CA Community College is either a minimum of 24 semester units or credit or 54 quarter units. For noncredit courses, a years attendance is    minimum of 840 semester hours or 1890 quarter hours. Full-time attendance at a CA Adult School is a minimum of 420 hours of attendance for each school year.

• Education Code Section 68075.6 grants an immediate nonresident tuition fee exemption to eligible Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders and refugee students who settled in California upon entering the United States. This exemption is granted to one year from the date the student settled in California upon entering the United States. Verification of  status will need to be submitted to the Admissions and Records department.  This exemption applies to the following:
  1. Iraqi citizens or nationals (and their spouses and children) who were employed by or on behalf of the United States government in Iraq
  2. Afghan and Iraqi translators (and their spouses and children) who worked directly with the United States Armed Forces
  3. Afghanistan nationals who were employed by or on behalf of the United States government or in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan
  4. Refugee students admitted to the United States under Section 1157 of Title 8 of the United States Code

If you are unable to pay the balance due on your account by the scheduled drop for non-payment dates, please reach out to us to review possible payment options that may be available to you in order to remain in your classes. You may contact Admissions & Records via Enrollment Chat or you can call 714-892-7711 for more information.

You also might want to visit The Financial Aid web page. They are here to assist you with all your questions regarding the student financial aid process. We encourage all students to apply for financial aid, as a variety of assistance may be available. For additional information, contact via Financial Aid Chat or email FinAid@gwc.cccd.edu

Please visit our Registration Information page for detailed information regarding tuition and fees, refund policy, and non-payment drop policy.

To view the classes you are currently registered in, current tuition fees, drop deadlines, refund deadlines, and academic deadlines click here for step by step instructions on how to locate your Student Class Schedule.

• US citizens and/or Permanent Resident card holders who do not meet the California residency requirement
• Students who are without lawful immigration status (ie., undocumented, out of status)
• Students who are non-immigrants and who are victims of trafficking, domestic violence, and other serious crimes who have been granted T or U visa status, under Title 8 of the United States Code, Sections 1101(a)(15)(T) or (U)
• The student must complete and submit a CA Nonresident Tuition Exemption Request / AB540 and high school transcripts, Elementary or Middle school transcripts, CA community college, and/ or AA degree from CA community college that verify the student has met all applicable conditions described above.

• Attended high school (public or private) in California for three or more years, or
  
  Attended a combination of California high school, California adult school, and/or California Community College for the equivalent of three or more years of full-time attendance, or
  
  Attained credits earned in California from a California high school equivalent to three or more years of full-time high school course work and attended a combination of elementary, middle, and/or high schools in California for a total of three or more years
• The student must have graduated from a California high school and received a high school diploma or attained the equivalent prior to the start of the term (ie., GED or California High School Proficiency), or
  
  Attained an associate degree from a California Community College, or
  
  Completed the minimum requirements at a California Community College for transfer to a California State University or University of California.
• The student must file an affidavit with the college or university stating that he or she has filed an application to legalize his or her immigration status, or will file an application as soon as he or she is eligible to do so

• California Non-Resident Tuition Exemption Request (AB540)
• Copy of eligible immigrant visa (ie., permanent resident card, work authorization, I94, passport, etc.)
• Finalized High School Transcripts with graduation date
• Elementary or Middle school transcripts (if applicable)
• Official transcripts from CA community college (if applicable)
• AA degree from CA community college (if applicable)

All documentation must be submitted in PDF format only to Jessica Sanchez, GWC Residency Specialist at Jvillalobos@gwc.cccd.edu.

**Official High School transcripts sent via Parchment may be sent electronically to gwctranscripts@gwc.cccd.edu or Jvillalobos@gwc.cccd.edu. Once you receive a receipt confirmation that your transcript has been opened, you may submit your California Non-Resident Tuition Exemption Request (AB540) to Jessica Sanchez, GWC Residency Specialist at Jvillalobos@gwc.cccd.edu in PDF format.

• Ineligible USCIS non-immigrant visa status include - B1, B2 / C1 to C4 / D1, D2 / F1 to F3 / J1, J2 / M1 to M3 / O2, O3 / P1 to P4 / Q1 to Q3 / S5 to S7 / TN/TD / TWOV
• Students living outside the state and enrolled in distance education are not eligible for the AB540 exemption.

• Nonresident students meeting the criteria will be exempted from the payment of nonresident tuition. They will not be deemed as California residents. Financial aid students should speak to a Financial Aid Representative for more information.
• The California Dream Act extends Cal Grant A and B Entitlement awards, Cal Grant C awards, Chaffee grants, and institutional financial aid to students that meet these criteria as well as the applicable criteria for eligibility for specific types of financial aid.
• AB540 does not provide federal student financial aid eligibility for undocumented students. These students remain ineligible for federal financial aid.
• The California Dream Act (CDA) application is overseen by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) and should be completed by students who may be eligible for California state aid programs only under the AB540 status. Please visit Dreamers/DACA for more information or contact our Dream Act Liaison, Erica Morales at emorales@gwc.cccd.edu
• Please visit our Registration Information page for detailed information regarding tuition and fees, refund policy, and non-payment drop policy.
• To view the classes you are currently registered in, current tuition fees, drop deadlines, refund deadlines, and academic deadlines log in and view your Student Class Program/Web Schedule Bill.

Effective Spring 2022: 

The Coast District updated our Drop for Non-Payment policy beginning with the Intersession/Spring 2022 registration cycle. Students with an unpaid balance of $25 or more must pay their fees prior to the scheduled drop for non-payment date. (Important Deadlines page.) Please check your MyCoastPortal for your Intersession/Spring registration window.

If you are unable to pay the balance due on your account by the scheduled drop for non-payment dates, please reach out to us to review possible payment options that may be available to you in order to remain in your 2022 classes. You may contact Admissions & Records via chat, Enrollment Chat or you can call 714-892-7711 for more information.

You also might want to visit the Financial Aid web page. They are here to assist you with all your questions regarding the student financial aid process. We encourage all students to apply for financial aid, as a variety of assistance may be available. For additional information, contact via chat, Financial Aid Chat  or email FinAid@gwc.cccd.edu

This bill requires the College to exempt nonresident tuition from a nonresident student who is a US citizen and who resides in a foreign country, if that student meets all of the following requirements:

• Has a parent or guardian who has been deported or was permitted to depart voluntarily under the federal immigration and Nationality Act and demonstrates a financial need for the exemption
• Moved abroad as a result of the deportation or voluntary departure and lived in California immediately before moving abroad.
• Attended a public or private secondary school in California for three or more years.
• Upon enrollment, will be in his or her first academic year as a matriculated student in California public higher education
• Will be living in California and will file as affidavit with the College stating that he or she intends to establish residency in California as soon as possible.
• Documentation shall be provided by the student as required by statute as specified in Education Code section 76140(a)(5).

This bill permits the College to exempt nonresident special part-time students, who meet the requirements set forth in Section 76140 of the Education code, from the requirement to pay nonresident tuition for the community college credit courses. This exemption does not apply to special full-time students. This exemption is not intended to apply to categories of students who would be precluded from qualifying for the AB540 nonresident tuition exemption, for example:

• Students who actually reside outside of California and enroll via Distance Education
  AND
• Students on most nonimmigrant visas.

Education Code section 68075.6 grants an immediate nonresident tuition fee exemption to eligible Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders and refugee students who settled in California upon entering the United States. This exemption is granted for one year from the date the student settled in California upon entering the United States.

This exemption applies to the following:

• Iraqi citizens or nationals (and their spouses and children) who were employed by or on behalf of the United States Government in Iraq (Pub.L. No. 110-181, § 1244)
• Afghan and Iraqi translators (and their spouses and children) who worked directly with the United States Armed Forces (Pub.L. No. 109-163, § 1059)
• Afghanistan nationals who were employed by or on behalf of the U.S. government or in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF} in Afghanistan (Pub.L. No. 111-8, § 602)
• Refugee students admitted to the United States under Section 1157 of Title 8 of the United States Code