Residency Classification Information
Under California law, campuses must determine the residence status of all new and returning students. Nonresidents are required to pay nonresident tuition and meet other conditions, unless an exception applies.

Generally, to be eligible for California resident classification, an adult applicant must have established and maintained permanent residence in California at least one year prior to the applicable residence determination date. A minor’s residence classification is based on the permanent residence of his or her parents. Residence determination dates for each academic term are:


Proof of residence requires evidence of both physical presence and intent to remain indefinitely in California at least one year before the residence determination date. In addition, other rules and exceptions apply.

In-state tuition is available for certain nonresident students who have attended high school in California for at least three full years and have graduated from a California high school or received the equivalent. Students without lawful immigration status also must file an affidavit with a CSU campus stating that they have filed an application with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to legalize their immigration status or that they will do so as soon as they are eligible to do so. Students applying for the exemption should request from the campus admission office the "California Nonresident Tuition Exemption Request" form, complete the document, and show proof of attendance and graduation from a California high school.

Resident Classification Appeal Process
If you disagree with a campus decision regarding your residence classification, your appeal must be received by the Office of General Counsel at the address below within 120 days of the final campus decision regarding your residence status. That office may make a decision on the issue or send the matter back to the campus for further review.

To file an appeal of residence classification, write to:

If you have questions about the regulations that govern residence determination or your status under those regulations, refer to the summary of the regulations that appears in the campus catalogs, or consult a campus residence clerk.