Residency

General Information
Military Persons and Dependents
Reclassification to Resident Status
AB540 - Resident status exemption for certain categories of students

General Information

Each person applying to a California community college must be classified as a resident or nonresident. Resident tuition is reduced through support from the taxpayers of this community college district and the state of California. Nonresidents are required to cover the full costs of their tuition and therefore pay a higher rate. The web page is designed to help define resident versus nonresident, how to apply for residency if you feel you are eligible for reclassification, and offer a new opportunity for reduced tuition through the adoption of Assembly Bill (AB) 540.

A resident student is an individual who has lived in California for at least one year and one day prior to the beginning of a semester, and has taken steps to establish residency within the state.

A nonresident student is a person who has resided in the state for less than one year prior to the beginning of the semester, may have been in California for more than a year but took actions that don't support the establishment of residency, or may be in the United States on a visa that precludes them from being classified as a resident. Most foreign students admitted to the United States under a student (F-1) visa cannot establish residency. The only exception is under the provisions of AB 540. See the AB 540 section of this web page to determine if you may apply for this exemption.

The Office of Admissions and Records is charged with making residency determinations. Students classified as nonresidents who feel they should be reclassified can do so by filling out the IVC California Residency Reclassification Questionnaire that may be downloaded from this site. Ensure you provide all possible documentation available to assist us in making a determination with your case.

Military Persons and Dependents

Active members of the armed forces are considered California residents for enrollment purposes. Spouses and other dependents of active military members are considered California residents during the first year in which the member was assigned to California. Contact the Office of Admissions and Records for further information.

Reclassification to Resident Status

Based on information you provided on your Application for Admission, you may have been classified as a nonresident of the state of California. Nonresident students are required to pay a higher rate of tuition in addition to the standard enrollment fees. To gain reclassification to resident status, please read the following information regarding residency for the California's Community Colleges carefully. Ensure you submit all required supporting documentation to assist us in making a favorable determination in your case.

Unfortunately, the following visa status holders cannot establish residency regardless of the length of time in California: B-1, B-2, C, D-1, D-2, F-1, F-2, H-2, H-3, J-1, J-2, M-1, M-2, O-2, P-1, P-2, P-3, P-4, Q, and TN/TD. Undocumented and out-of-status immigrants are also prohibited from establishing residency. If you fall under any of these categories, we are unable to change your residency status. However, under the guidelines of AB 540, undocumented immigrants may be granted a waiver of nonresident tuition. See the AB 540 section of this web page to determine if you may apply for this exemption.

In order to be eligible for California residency, you must be a United States (U.S.) citizen or hold a U.S. Immigration status that does not preclude you from establishing residency (see the list above). Under California law, you may be considered a resident if you have both:

Lived in California continuously for at least one year and one day before the semester begins, and
Proved you intended to make California your new permanent home of residence. The following actions are considered as elements of establishing proof of your intent to become a California resident:
- Filing California income tax as a resident (the complete Tax Form 540 must be provided)
- California employment (provide certification of employment by means of a formal letter from your employer or pay stubs for the previous year)
- Registering to vote and voting in California
- Ownership of residential property or occupancy of rented or leased property in California
- Licensing from California for professional practice
- Possessing California motor vehicle registration
- Establishing and maintaining active California bank accounts
- Filing a lawsuit in California as a resident
- Possessing a California driver's license or ID Card
- Maintaining permanent military address or home of record in California while in armed forces

If you feel you are eligible for California residency based on the above information:

Download and complete the California Residency Reclassification Questionnaire.
Provide copies of as many documents to support the elements of intent listed above. These documents will be used as the basis for your claim of residency. Remember, these documents must show intent for at least one year and one day before the semester begins.
Non-citizens must provide copies of their resident alien card or current visa.
Submit the questionnaire and copies of all of your documents to the Office of Admissions and Records. You will be contacted with the results of your residency review within approximately ten business days.

If you feel you are NOT eligible to establish residency at this time but may be eligible for residency in the future:

You may elect to file the California Residency Reclassification Questionnaire at any time in the future should you become eligible and have accumulated the necessary proof of residency. It is your responsibility to submit the IVC California Residency Reclassification Questionnaire, with the appropriate supporting documentation, when you become eligible for reclassification. Please remember that California law requires that the burden of proof to establish California residency rests' with the student. If you have questions you may talk to a residency evaluator by calling 949.451.5461 or email your question to the Office of Admissions and Records.

Click here to print the
IVC California Residency Reclassification Form

AB540

In 2001 the California legislature passed a law (AB 540) that exempts certain categories of students from paying nonresident tuition. To be eligible you must have competed at least three years of high school and have graduated (or earned a high school equivalency) while living and attending school in California.

The three eligible populations are:

currently undocumented immigrants;
previously documented students on a "nonimmigrant alien" visa who have taken actions to correct their status; and
U.S. citizens who are returning to California after having graduated at some point in the past, left the state, but are now returning to college in California.

The law allows U.S. citizens who met the AB 540 requirements to be charged the resident rate of tuition without meeting the one year and one day requirement to reestablish residency.

If you feel you may be eligible, download and fill out the California Nonresident Tuition Exemption Request and turn it in to the Office of Admissions and Records for consideration. If you have questions you may talk to a residency evaluator by calling 949.451.5461 or email your question to the Office of Admissions and Records.

Click here to print the
California Nonresident Tuition Exemption Request