Residency for Tuition Purposes
֦Ƶstate law distinguishes between residents and nonresidents for tuition purposes. ֦Ƶ classified as nonresidents for tuition purposes pay an additional fee per unit of nonresident tuition (refer to Tuition and Fees for the current fee schedule).
The state requirements to establish residence for tuition purposes are independent from those of other types of residence (such as for tax purposes, jury duty, voting or other state or institutional residence). A resident for tuition purposes is someone who meets the requirements set forth in the ֦ƵEducation Code (sections 68000-68085, 68120-68134, and 89705-89707.5) and Title 5 of the ֦ƵCode of Regulations (sections 41901-41915). Full text of these laws can be accessed online through the .
This webpage offers basic information regarding the determination of residency for tuition purposes. Additional information is available in our and on the website.
Under ֦Ƶlaw, ֦Ƶ must determine the residency status for tuition purposes of all applicants and students. Our Admissions Office determines your residency status based on your answers to questions on the admissions application. If additional information is required in order to determine your residency status, you may need to submit a and copies of official/legal documents. Note: We recommend downloading the form to your device (laptop/desktop computer or phone) in order to fill out the form electronically and submit it to the appropriate department.
A Residence Determination Date is set for each academic term and is part of the residency determination process. The Eligible Immigration Status, Physical Presence, & Residential Intent requirements must be established at least one year and one day before the residence determination date of the term the request is submitted. The Residence Determination Date for each term is listed below:
| Term | Residence Determination Dates | Academic Year 26-27 Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | September 20 | For a Fall 2026 term submission, the student is required to have established their eligible immigration status, physical presence, and residential intent on or before September 19, 2025 (one year and one day before September 20, 2026). |
| Spring | January 25 | For a Spring 2027 term submission, the student is required to have established their eligible immigration status, physical presence, and residential intent on or before January 24, 2026 (one year and one day before January 25, 2027). |
| Summer | June 1 | For a Summer 2027 term submission, the student is required to have established their eligible immigration status, physical presence, and residential intent on or before May 31, 2026 (one year and one day before June 1, 2027). |
| Term | Requests Submitted for 2027 | Requests Submitted for 2028 | Requests Submitted for 2029 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall RDD September 20 | For a Fall 2027 term submission, the student is required to have established their eligible immigration status, physical presence, and residential intent on or before 9/19/2026 | For a Fall 2028 term submission, the student is required to have established their eligible immigration status, physical presence, and residential intent on or before 9/19/2027 | For a Fall 2029 term submission, the student is required to have established their eligible immigration status, physical presence, and residential intent on or before 9/19/2028 |
| Spring RDD January 25 | For a Spring 2027 term submission, the student is required to have established their eligible immigration status, physical presence, and residential intent on or before 1/24/2026 | For a Spring 2028 term submission, the student is required to have established their eligible immigration status, physical presence, and residential intent on or before 1/24/2027 | For a Spring 2029 term submission, the student is required to have established their eligible immigration status, physical presence, and residential intent on or before 1/24/2028 |
| Summer RDD June 1 | For a Summer 2027 term submission, the student is required to have established their eligible immigration status, physical presence, and residential intent on or before 5/31/2026 | For a Summer 2028 term submission, the student is required to have established their eligible immigration status, physical presence, and residential intent on or before 5/31/2027 | For a Summer 2029 term submission, the student is required to have established their eligible immigration status, physical presence, and residential intent on or before 5/31/2028 |
Adult students (who will be at least 19 years old on the Residence Determination Date) may establish their own residence for tuition purposes. Minor unmarried students (who will be under the age of 19 on the Residence Determination Date) derive their legal residence from the parent with whom they reside or last resided.
A non-U.S. citizen may establish residence unless prohibited from establishing a domicile in the United States by the . Some examples of non-U.S. citizens who may establish residence include permanent residents, refugees, students granted asylum or temporary protected status, and students who hold certain non-immigrant visas.
In order to be classified as a ֦Ƶresident for tuition purposes, a student (or parent in the case of a minor), must demonstrate the following:
Physical Presence: The student (or parent in the case of a minor) must establish a physical presence in ֦Ƶmore than one year immediately prior to the Residence Determination Date of the term for which classification as a resident is requested. Continuous physical presence is not mandatory, but a student who leaves ֦Ƶhas the burden of clearly demonstrating his/her retention of ֦Ƶresidence during periods of absence.
Residential Intent: Physical presence within ֦Ƶsolely for educational purposes does not constitute establishment of ֦Ƶresidence. The student (or parent in the case of a minor) must demonstrate that s/he intends to make ֦Ƶhis/her permanent home by establishing residential ties in ֦Ƶand relinquishing ties to the former place of residence. Proof of intent must be in place more than one year prior to the Residence Determination Date and can include (but is not limited to):
- Registering to vote and voting in California
- Registering a vehicle owned or operated in California
- Obtaining a ֦Ƶdriver's license or ID card
- Filing a ֦Ƶstate personal income tax return
- Maintaining an active bank account opened in ֦Ƶwith a ֦Ƶbranch
- Licensing from the state for professional practice
- Listing a permanent ֦Ƶaddress on home of record, or other military records
If you were classified as a nonresident but believe you may qualify for ֦Ƶresident tuition, please request a residency review through the process outlined below.
How to Request a Review: Requesting a residency review soon after receiving an admission notice can help ensure your tuition classification is accurate. Nonresident students are assessed nonresident tuition charges in addition to the tuition and fees paid by all students. Because residency reviews can take several weeks to complete, we encourage students to begin the process as early as possible.
- ֦Ƶ requesting a review of their residency classification for tuition purposes should complete the and email it to es-residency@csulb.edu along with a minimum of three documents supporting your claim for ֦Ƶresidency.
- ֦Ƶ who may qualify for a nonresident tuition exemption under ֦Ƶlaw should complete the . Email the form to es-residency@csulb.edu. ֦Ƶ who have submitted a do not need to submit a ֦ƵNonresident Tuition Exemption form.
If you are unsure which form applies to your situation, or if you have questions about your residency classification, please contact the Residence Specialist at es-residency@csulb.edu before submitting your request. Include your ֦Ƶ student ID number in the email message.
Processing Time: Please do not send the request prior to receiving an admission notice. Please allow four to six weeks to process classification or nonresident tuition exemption requests. Decisions will be sent via email. Until a decision is made, students will remain classified as nonresidents and are responsible for on-time payment of all fees, including nonresident fees. If the classification is granted, refunds of nonresident fees paid will be made in accordance with refund regulations printed in the ֦Ƶ Catalog.
Need help getting started? ֦Ƶ are encouraged to review the and submit the appropriate form as soon as they believe they may qualify for resident tuition or an exemption, even if classes have not yet begun. Then contact the Residence Specialist at es-residency@csulb.edu with any remaining questions. We’re here to help.
If you were classified as a nonresident student when you were admitted to ֦Ƶ, you may request to be reclassified to ֦Ƶresident in any subsequent term.
Requirements: In order to be eligible for reclassification to ֦Ƶresident:
- You must be able to demonstrate your physical presence in California, show intent to make ֦Ƶyour permanent home, and maintain an eligible immigration status for at least one year prior to the Residence Determination Date of the term for which you are requesting reclassification.
- You must provide documentation that proves you have been financially independent from your parent(s) in the current calendar year (in which the reclassification request is submitted to the campus) and the prior three years. Financial Independence is a requirement for residence reclassification. In accordance with ֦ƵEducation Code section 68044, a student shall be considered financially independent if s/he:
- has not and will not be claimed as an exemption for state and federal tax purposes by his/her parent in the current year or the prior three years; and
- has not and will not receive more than $750 in financial assistance from his/her parent in the current year or in any of the prior three years; and
- has not and will not live with parents for more than 6 weeks in the current year or in any of the prior three years.
- You may be exempt from meeting the above financial independence requirements due to the following updates to ֦ƵLegislation Title 5, Article 4: Nonresident Tuition 41905.5. Residence Reclassification - Financial Independence Requirement. Effective Fall 2020 academic term, if the student meets at least one of the following criteria, the student does not have to meet the financial independence requirement.
- Dependent on a parent who has ֦Ƶresidence for more than one year immediately preceding the residence determination date
- Enrolled in a graduate or post‐baccalaureate program, regardless of age
- Turned 24 years of age by the residence determination date
- Married or registered domestic partner as of the residence determination date
- Active duty members serving in the U.S Armed Forces
- Veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces
- Legal dependent other than spouse or registered domestic partner
- Former ward of the court, foster youth or both parents are deceased
- Declared by a court to be an emancipated minor
- Unaccompanied youth who is homeless or at risk of becoming homeless
How to File: To request reclassification, please submit a (including Part D of the form) and your supporting documentation (details provided below) either in person at the Enrollment Services windows in Brotman Hall 101 or via mail to the following address: ֦Ƶ Enrollment Services, ATTN: Residence Specialist, 1250 Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90840. Note: We recommend downloading the form to your device (laptop/desktop computer or phone) in order to fill out the form electronically and submit it to the appropriate department.
In addition to the students should submit the following documents if they have them:
- Driver’s License (or state I.D. card if student does not drive)
- Current and prior vehicle registration
- Voter registration
- Three most recent ֦Ƶstate income tax returns
- Three most recent federal income tax returns
- Most recent W2 statement
- Opening date and branch location where bank account was opened
- Verification of hire date at ֦Ƶemployment (on company letterhead)
- Citizens of other countries will need to provide documentation to verify immigration status
Filing periods: ֦Ƶ may file their residence reclassification request (without a fee) from March 1 to April 1 for the following summer or fall term or from October 1 to November 1 for the following spring term. Reclassification requests may be filed with an additional $10 filing fee after the close of the filing period; however, reclassification requests cannot be accepted after the last day of the term for which reclassification is desired. Requests for residence reclassification for a previous term are not accepted.
Processing Time: Please allow six to eight weeks to process reclassification requests. Decisions will be sent via email. Until a decision is made, students will remain classified as nonresidents and are responsible for on-time payment of nonresident fees. If the reclassification is granted, refunds of nonresident fees will be made in accordance with refund regulations printed in the ֦Ƶ Catalog.
֦Ƶlaw provides for specific exceptions to nonresident tuition. If you are a teacher, military service member, CSU employee, or the dependent child of a ֦Ƶresident, you may be exempt from paying nonresident tuition and should contact our Residence Specialist (es-residency@csulb.edu) for more information. A list of exceptions is available in the .
(AB 540/AB 2000): If you do not meet the eligibility requirements for ֦Ƶresidency for tuition purposes, you may qualify for an exemption from nonresident tuition if you meet the requirements:
ELIGIBILITY
The CSU Nonresident Tuition Exemption is open to CSU students enrolled as undergraduate or graduate students who are:
- U.S. Citizens
- Permanent Residents
- Undocumented ֦Ƶ (including TPS, DACA, asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile, and VAWA)
- T and U Visa Holders Only
MUST MEET THE NONRESIDENT EXCEPTION REQUIREMENTS (Attendance and Graduation Requirements)
Attendance Requirements
֦ƵEducation Code Section 68130.5 states that a student shall be exempt from paying nonresident tuition at the ֦ƵState University and ֦ƵCommunity Colleges if the student meets the following requirements:
A total attendance of – or attainment of credits earned while in ֦Ƶequivalent to – three or more years of full-time attendance or attainment of credits at any of the following:
- ֦Ƶhigh schools.
- ֦Ƶhigh schools established by the State Board of Education.
- ֦Ƶadult schools established by any of the following entities:
- A county office of education.
- A unified school district or high school district.
- The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
- Campuses of the ֦ƵCommunity Colleges*
(v) A combination of those schools set forth in (i) to (iv), inclusive.
*Effective January 1, 2023, a year's equivalence at a ֦Ƶcommunity college is either a minimum of 24-semester units of credit or 54 quarter units. Full-time attendance at a ֦Ƶadult school is a minimum of 420 hours of attendance for each school year.
Graduation/Transfer Requirements (must meet one)
֦Ƶ must satisfy the graduation/transfer requirement by fulfilling any of the following:
- The student must have graduated from a ֦Ƶhigh school or attained the equivalent from a ֦Ƶhigh school prior to the start of the term (for example, passing the GED or ֦ƵHigh School Proficiency exam) or
- Completed or will complete (before the first term of enrollment at the CSU) an associate's degree from a ֦Ƶcommunity college; or
- Completed or will complete (before the first term of enrollment at the CSU) the minimum requirements at a ֦Ƶcommunity college for transfer to the ֦ƵState University. The student must file an affidavit with the college or university stating they have filed an application to legalize their immigration status or will file an application as soon as they are eligible.
To request this exemption, please submit the form to our Residence Specialist. The form can be submitted via email (es-residency@csulb.edu), or in person to Enrollment Services in Brotman Hall 101, or via mail to the following address: ֦Ƶ Enrollment Services, ATTN: Residence Specialist, 1250 Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90840. NOTE: ֦Ƶ who qualify for this exemption may also be eligible to apply for and receive funds from certain state and institutional financial assistance programs through the .
֦Ƶ classified as nonresidents may appeal the campus decision to the CSU Chancellor’s Office. The appeal must be submitted online at the within 30 calendar days of notification of the final campus decision.
֦Ƶ may only appeal the campus decision if: 1) the decision was based on a significant error of fact, significant procedural error, or an incorrect application of law; and/or 2) new information (which was not previously known or available to the student) became available after the date of the campus decision and, based on the new information, the nonresident classification is incorrect.
֦Ƶ must explain why the appeal meets one or more of the above criteria and provide supporting documentation. Appeals that do not include supporting documentation will be denied.
- The eligibility criteria for ֦Ƶresidency for tuition purposes are established by State Law and the ֦ƵCode of Regulations. ֦Ƶ implements these laws and regulations.
- ֦Ƶ cannot alter or waive the eligibility criteria for any reason.
- Financial hardship cannot be considered in evaluating ֦Ƶresidency for tuition purposes eligibility.
- Under ֦Ƶlaw, if you have moved to ֦Ƶprimarily to attend a ֦Ƶinstitution of higher learning, then you are not eligible for ֦Ƶresidency for tuition purposes.
- Living in ֦Ƶfor 12 months is not an automatic qualification for ֦Ƶresidency for tuition purposes. You must prove through official and/or legal documents that you have moved to ֦Ƶpermanently and are not merely living in ֦Ƶtemporarily while you attend ֦ƵState University, however long your course of study may take.
- Despite the length of time you attend ֦Ƶ or live in California, you might not qualify for ֦Ƶresidency for tuition purposes. You must prove through official and/or legal documents that you meet all of the requirements for ֦Ƶresidency for tuition purposes.
- Legal ties that you maintain in another state or country (e.g., state tax liability, a driver’s license, voter’s registration, etc.), regardless of your reasons for maintaining these ties, will disqualify you from ֦Ƶresidency for tuition purposes.
- For students requesting residence reclassification, evidence that you are receiving financial support from your parents in any way, either directly (e.g. tuition payments, parent PLUS loans, etc.) or indirectly (e.g., parent-purchased or co-purchased residences, parent-controlled financial portfolios), will disqualify you from ֦Ƶresidency for tuition purposes.
A student seeking to pay in-state tuition at a ֦ƵState University campus as a first-time, first-year student, transfer student, or postbaccalaureate/graduate student must have an eligible to establish residency. Therefore, the student must be a United States citizen, a permanent resident (Green Card holder), or hold an eligible visa status (see list). If a student does not qualify as a ֦Ƶresident, the student may be eligible for certain .
Nonimmigrant Statuses and Other Categories that are Eligible to Establish ֦ƵResidency for Tuition Purposes
The Immigration and Nationality Act allows individuals in certain nonimmigrant statuses to establish permanent residency in the United States. Therefore, they are entitled to establish ֦Ƶresidency for tuition purposes. For a complete list of eligible visas and other eligible categories, review the Nonimmigrant list ֦Ƶ must hold an eligible visa status at least one year before the to be eligible to establish ֦Ƶresidency for tuition purposes.
֦Ƶ in the category of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) or Temporary Protected Status (TPS) are also eligible to establish residency for tuition purposes. Also, students who are adjusting their immigration status, such as asylum, may qualify for residency depending on where they are in the application process.
Most nonimmigrant visa holders, such as an F-1 or J-1 visa holder, are not eligible to establish ֦Ƶresidency for tuition purposes. ֦Ƶ with a visa or without an immigration status should contact the campus Admissions Office.
Additional information is available in our and on the website. Please email residency questions to our Residency Specialist (es-residency@csulb.edu).
