AB 540 - Nonresident Tuition Exemptions

AB540/SB68 exempts students (including undocumented students) who meet eligibility requirements from out-of-state tuition fees.

Benefits: Qualifying for AB 540/SB 68 provides students with the ability to pay resident fees and apply for the state-based financial aid through the CA Dream Act, if eligible. AB 540/SB 68 also allows eligible students to participate in EOP&S and EOP.
Eligibility:

Students must meet the requirements for Part One & Part Two

PART ONE

Time and Coursework Requirements (either A or B):

1. Attendance for three full-time years or the equivalent at any combination of the following:
   1. California high school
   2. California adult school (including non-credit courses offered by a California community college) *
   3. California community college (maximum of two years of credit courses can count toward this requirement)’

      
      OR

2. Three years of California high school credits, along with three years of total attendance at a California elementary school, California secondary school, or any combination of the three.

                                                      AND

PART TWO

Degree or Unit Requirements (completion of any of the following):

1. Graduation from a California high school or the equivalent (GED, HiSET, TASC, CHSPE)
2. Attainment of an Associate degree from a California Community College
3. Fulfillment of the minimum transfer requirements from a California Community College to a UC or CSU campus

When to Submit

Submitting the Affidavit - Students must also complete and submit the California Nonresident Tuition Exemption (AB 540/SB 68 Affidavit) in order to qualify for in-state tuition, along with official transcripts and/or attendance records.

Be sure to complete and submit an AB540 Nonresident Exemption Request from Dream Resource Center (Fill-able file below).

AB 540 Affidavit California Nonresident Tuition Exemption Application PDF

Non-Resident Waiver

Students who are citizens and residents of a foreign country, and who are legally precluded from establishing residency in California shall be entitled to exemptions from non-resident fees on the basis on individual financial need in accordance with regulations adopted by the Chancellor. Such individual exemptions shall not be granted in excess of ten percent (10%) of the district’s students who are both citizens and residents of a foreign country in the applicable term.

1. Foreign Citizen (not a US Citizen)
2. Are legally prohibited from establishing residency in CA
3. Meet the financial assistance requirement
4. Are enrolled in at least one (1) unit

Be sure to complete and submit a Nonresident Tuition Waiver from Dream Resource Center (Fill-able file below).

Nonresident Tuition Fee Waiver PDF

Residency Tuition exemptions are offered for students who meet certain criteria through the AB540 Nonresident Tuition Exemption or Non-Resident Tuition Waiver. If granted an exemption, students will be charged in-state tuition and fees.

Supplemental Residency

To be reclassified as a CA resident, submit the Supplemental Residency Form to the Office of Admissions and Records*. This form will require supporting documentation and should only be submitted if you meet all the following criteria:

• You currently hold an immigration status (like DACA, citizen, permanent resident) that is eligible to establish California residency and you have had (or applied for) that status at least 366 days prior to the start of the term.
• You have been physically present in California with the intent to make California your home for other than a temporary purpose at least 366 days prior to the start of the term.

If you are a citizen or resident and believe to have been coded incorrectly, please complete this form.

Supplementary Residency Questionnaire PDF