Your residency status affects whether you pay in-state or out-of-state tuition. California residents qualify for lower tuition. However, simply living in California does not automatically make you a resident for tuition purposes. You must meet specific legal requirements set by the state.
To be considered a California resident for tuition purposes, you must meet all of the following criteria:
Have an eligible immigration status
Be physically present in California for at least one year before the Residence Determination Date (RDD)
Show intent to make California your permanent home
Continuing students requesting reclassification must also prove financial independence. Some students who do not meet residency requirements may qualify for an exemption or exception, such as the AB 540 nonresident tuition exemption.
Your initial residency status is determined based on the information you provide in your application for admission. If you are classified as a nonresident and believe it is incorrect, you may request a review. You will need to submit a completed CSU Residence Questionnaire and any required supporting documents. Students who may be eligible for the AB 540 exemption should also submit the California Nonresident Tuition Exemption Request form and appropriate documentation.
To begin this process, contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@csumb.edu .
Continuing students who have attended CSUMB for at least one semester and are currently classified as nonresidents may apply for reclassification. To do so, you must complete the CSU Residence Questionnaire and submit it along with supporting documentation that demonstrates physical presence, intent to remain in California, eligible immigration status and financial independence.
All materials should be submitted via email to the Office of the Registrar at records@csumb.edu. Please include “Residence Review” in the subject line. Residency determinations typically take 2-4 weeks to process. Additional time may be needed if your documents are incomplete or require clarification.
Residency Requirements
Immigration Status
To establish California residency, a student must be a U.S. citizen, a permanent resident (green card holder), or have an eligible visa or protected immigration status. Students who do not qualify as residents may still be eligible for tuition exemptions, such as the AB 540 exemption. This includes certain undocumented students, U visa or T visa holders, DACA recipients, asylees, refugees, students with humanitarian parole and others. These students must meet California school attendance and graduation or transfer requirements.
For full eligibility details, visit the CSU Residencysite.
Physical Presence
Students must be physically present in California for at least one year and one day before the applicable Residence Determination Date. For example, if you wanted to enroll in Fall 2024, you would have needed to establish physical presence in California by September 19, 2023.
Intent to Remain in California
In addition to being physically present, you must show intent to remain in California long-term and sever residential ties with your prior state or country of residence. Simply residing in California is not enough; your actions must demonstrate intent to stay. Students under age 19 derive residency from a parent or legal guardian.
Documentation is required to show this intent. At least three documents are required, and they must include your name, California address, and a date that is at least one year and one day before the RDD. At least one document must come from List A, and the remaining may be from List A or List B.
Actions and/or documents that show residential ties to a state or country other than California may cause a denial of residency.
Campus staff may request additional documentation beyond those listed to verify your residency.
California state income tax return (student can be listed as a dependent on the tax return)
Ownership of residential property as a primary residence in California (must meet RDD)
Continuous occupancy of rented or leased property in California (must meet RDD)
Obtaining a California Driver’s License or Identification Card (must meet RDD)
Registering to vote and voting history (must meet RDD)
Registering a motor vehicle operated in California (must meet RDD)
Permanent military address or home of record on military records
Receipt of California state services (e.g., unemployment, disability, CalFresh) (must meet RDD)
Payment of nonresident tuition at an out-of-state institution if attended within the past year
Federal income tax return with a California address (student can be listed as a dependent on the tax return)
Utility bill (e.g., cell phone, gas, electrical) with the same California address (must meet RDD, and only one utility bill will be accepted)
Maintaining active resident memberships in professional organizations (e.g., police union, teacher’s union) (must meet RDD)
Maintaining an active bank account with a California address (must meet RDD)
Employment in California (e.g., verification of employment, W-2, pay stubs) (must meet RDD)
Vehicle insurance with a California address (student must be listed in the policy) (must meet RDD)
Selective Service registration with a California address
Court documents (e.g., ward of the court, divorce decree, or child support)
Financial Independence for Reclassification
Students seeking to reclassify from nonresident to resident must also demonstrate financial independence. To meet this requirement, you must not have been claimed as a dependent by your parent on state or federal taxes during the current year or the three preceding years. You also must not have received more than $750 per year in support from a parent during those years, and you must not have lived in your parents’ home for more than six weeks in any of those years.
Students are exempt from the financial independence requirement if they meet any of the following:
Are dependent on a parent who has been a California resident for more than one year before the RDD
Are enrolled in a graduate or post-baccalaureate program
Are 24 years of age or older by the RDD
Are married or in a registered domestic partnership
Are a veteran or active-duty member of the U.S. Armed Forces
Have legal dependents other than a spouse or registered domestic partner
Were formerly in foster care or declared a ward of the court
Have been declared an emancipated minor by a court
Are an unaccompanied youth who is homeless or at risk of becoming homeless
You must provide appropriate documentation to demonstrate that you meet one of these exemption categories. Examples include a marriage certificate, California ID or driver’s license, military orders, or court documents.
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