When are the deadlines for submitting documentation?
**Those who submit their documents after the priority date above may not have them processed in time for the payment deadline. Students must meet payment deadlines to avoid disenrollment, and will be responsible for non-resident fees if documentation is not received.
Contact records.registration@csuci.edu for further information.
All new students must provide clear copies of documents that support their claim for residency. Minor students must also submit supporting documents for their parent(s). Documents must be dated one year and one day prior to the Residence Determination Date for the term in which you are seeking residence status for tuition purposes.
Education Code section 68044 mandates that any student who has been claimed as a dependent on anyone's income tax return within the past 3 years, who has accepted more than $750 in financial support in any form, or lived with a parent during the past 3 years shall not be considered financially independent and therefore, cannot meet the core requirement of demonstrated financial independence necessary to qualify for reclassification from nonresident to resident.
I am 19 years old, or older. How do I qualify for California residency?
I am less than 19 years old. How do I qualify for California residency?
Are exceptions available to active military personnel, recently discharged military personnel, or their dependents?
Can my residency status change?
What should I do if I think my residence status is incorrect?
Where do I submit my form and supporting documentation?
California residency for tuition purposes eligibility criteria are established by state law and the California Code of Regulations. The California State University system implements these laws and regulations. Every student attending a California State University must be classified as either a California resident, or as a nonresident, for tuition purposes. This classification is important because nonresident students pay an additional amount per unit each semester.
The term "California resident" for tuition purposes may differ from other definitions of California residency. A person who has a California driver license/vehicle registration or who is a California resident for tax, voting, or welfare purposes may have established legal residence in the state but might not necessarily be considered a resident for tuition purposes.
Regulations were established not to determine whether a student is a resident or nonresident of California, but rather to determine whether a student should pay University fees on an in-state or out-of-state basis. The University cannot alter or waive the eligibility criteria for any reason.
The laws governing residency for tuition purposes at the California State University are California Education Code sections 68000-68090, 68120-68134, and 89705-89707.5, and California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Subchapter 5, Article 4, sections 41900-41916. This material can be viewed on the internet by accessing the California State University's website at www.calstate.edu/sas/residency.
^At least one supporting document submitted must show a date that is one year and one day prior to the Residence Determination Date.
A married person will establish his or her residency independent of his or her spouse.
Minor, unmarried students derive their legal residency from the parent with whom the minor maintains, or last maintained, his or her place of residence.
The parent must be a California resident, as established by the California Education Code, for at least one year and one day immediately prior to the Residence Determination Date for the minor to qualify for California residency. Supporting documentation must be submitted for both the parent and the student.
Minor students must report their own information, as well as their parent's information, to verify California residence.
Active-duty military and their dependents, as well as veterans and their dependents, may qualify for a non-resident tuition exemption.
Exemption only; does not establish California residency.
Submit a copy of their VA Form 28-1905 "Authorization and Certification of Entrance or Reentrance into Rehabilitation and Certification of 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 and intent to remain indefinitely in the state, the student must also satisfy the requirement of financial independence.
Has not and will not be claimed as an exemption for state and federal tax purposes by his or her parent in the calendar year the reclassification application is made and in any of the three calendar years prior to the reclassification application.
Has not and will not receive more than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750) per year in financial assistance from his or her parent in the calendar year the reclassification application is made and in any of the three calendar years prior to the reclassification application.
Has not and will not live with parents for more than 6 weeks per calendar year in the current calendar year nor in any of the previous three calendar years.
This is a non-negotiable requirement for reclassification requests, applicable to students in their second term with the University, or after.
Students incorrectly classified as California residents or incorrectly granted an exception from nonresident tuition by the University are subject to reclassification to nonresident status and payment of nonresident tuition in arrears. If incorrect classification results from false or concealed facts, the student is subject to discipline pursuant to Section 41301 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations.
Resident students who become nonresidents or who no longer meet the criteria for an exception must immediately notify the Registrar's Office.
Students have the ultimate burden of proving their residence status.
Where can I submit my form and supporting documentation?
Please see the University Catalog and the CSU Residency website to learn more about the determination of residence status.
For more information about the laws governing residence for tuition purposes, please refer to California Education Code—sections 6800-68090, 68120-68134, 89705-89707.5—and in Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations, sections 41900-41916.
This summation is by no means a complete explanation of all the rules governing the establishment of California residency.