Residence Requirements

California Residency

California Residence: Verification of residence status may be required. Generally California residence is established by one of the following:

1. If the applicant is under the age of 18, his or her parents must have had legal residence within the State of California for 12 consecutive months preceding the day before the first day of the semester.
2. If the applicant is 18 but not yet 19 years of age, the applicant and the applicant’s parents must have had legal residence within the State of California for 12 consecutive months preceding the day before the first day of the semester.
3. If the applicant is 19 years of age or older, the applicant must have had legal residence within the State of California for 12 consecutive months preceding the day before the first day of the semester. If the applicant’s parents or legal guardian’s reside out-of-state, the student must be financially independent (see Non-California Residents #2.)
4. A non-citizen holding a visa that does not preclude the student from establishing residency in California must have legal residence in California for 12 consecutive months proceeding the day before the first day of the semester.

Non-California Residents: Students who do not meet the California residence requirements as of the day immediately preceding the first day of the semester or summer session are required to pay the non-resident tuition fees. This includes:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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. In addition, students with visas who are citizens of another country are required to pay an additional per unit capital outlay fee. See the class schedule for the amount of the fee.

Exceptions authorized by the State of California :

1.   Active military personnel are exempt from non-resident tuition fees provided they are in California for a purpose other than attending a state-supported institution of higher learning.

2.   Dependents of military personnel stationed on active duty in California are given a waiver of non-resident fees.

3.   Non-resident students who have completed three years of high school in California and graduated in California (or equivalency) may qualify for a waiver of non-resident fees by filing an affidavit. (AB540 California Nonresident Tuition Exemption Request).

Statement of Residence | Residency Determination Checklist

For additional information on residency, please call (714) 895-8197