If you wish to apply for a change of status, you must do so by following the Residency Reclassification Questionnaire procedure and submit all required documents before the beginning of the quarter in which you plan to enroll. If that deadline is not met, the status change won't take effect until the next term for which you enroll.
If there is any question about residency, the burden is on you to clearly prove both physical presence in California and intent to establish California residence.
To establish California residency and qualify for in-state tuition rates and fees, you must:
- Have been physically present in California for one year and one day prior to the term in which you wish to enroll.
- Intend to make California your permanent home for other than a temporary purpose.
- Have an eligible status that does not preclude you from establishing residency in the U.S. under the Immigration and Naturalization Act. This status must have been established one year and one day prior to the beginning of the term in which you wish to implement the change.
You may establish your residency by submitting the following required documentations:
Option 1
- Request the Federal Tax Return Transcript directly from https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript and provide that Transcript with your copy of the CA 540 or CA 540 NR for the most recent tax year. (The 1040 and W-2 are not sufficient).
- A California issued driver’s license or ID card (issued at least 1 year and 1 day prior to start of term).
Option 2
If you do not have both Federal Tax Return Transcript showing CA address and California taxes with a valid California driver's license or ID, you must provide 2 forms of proof:
- You need one (1) item from group A
- You need one (1) item from group B
Any items submitted from either Group A or B must have an issued date at least 1 year and 1 day prior to the start of the term the reclassification is being requested.
Please note: additional documentation may be requested at the discretion of the office of Admissions & Records
Group A:
- CA driver’s license or ID card
- Divorce papers issued from CA
- CA Voter registration card
- CA license for professional practice
- CA vehicle registration (Not Car Title)
- Two Paystubs with California address one recent and one prior to the residency determination date
- Payment of non-resident tuition at an out-of- state institution, if attending within the past two years.
Group B:
- Ownership of residential property as primary residence
- Continuous occupancy of rented or leased property in CA
- Provide two (2) complete bank statements (Savings or Checking) drawn on a California Bank Branch. The statement must also show a customer address within the state of California dated prior to the residency determination date and most recent
- Filing a lawsuit or divorce in California as a resident
- Federal Tax Return Transcript showing CA address AND CA 540 State Income Tax return
- Utility bill, water bill, or telephone bill from a landline