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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.