AB 540 nonresident tuition exemption

If you're granted an AB 540 exemption, you will be charged in-state tuition and fees, and not the supplemental tuition charged to nonresidents.

Who is eligible?

Students (including undocumented students) who, for various reasons, are classified as nonresidents may be eligible

You must meet all three of the following requirements to be eligible:

1. Time and coursework requirements

Either: 

Attendance for three full-time years or the equivalent at any combination of the following:

• California high school
• California adult school (including non-credit courses offered by a California community college)
• California community college (maximum of two years of credit-bearing courses can count toward this requirement)*

*There is no limit on community college credit-bearing courses for terms beginning after January 1, 2023.

Or:

Three years of California high school coursework and three years of total attendance at a California elementary school, California secondary school, or any combination of the two.

2. Degree or unit requirements

Meet one of the following requirements:

• Graduation from a California high school (or attainment of the equivalent)
• Attainment of an associate’s degree from a California community college
• Fulfillment of minimum transfer requirements from a California community college to a UC or CSU campus

3. Signed Nonresident Exemption Request

You also must have signed the California Nonresident Exemption Request, which states that you meet all the requirements to qualify for AB 540 status and, if you are undocumented, are in the process of adjusting your immigration status (or will do so as soon as you are eligible).

Who's not eligible:

• Students in possession of nonimmigrant visas (including, but not limited to any of the following visas: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T*, TN/TD, TWOV, U*, and NATO) are not eligible for this exemption.
  • * UC policy permits T and U visa holders to establish residence for a limited-duration Resident Classification for one academic year, during which time they may establish their residence for tuition purposes permanently by satisfying the Residency Requirements.

• DACA students who do not meet the AB 540 tuition requirements, listed above, will not be eligible for the exemption.

How to apply

• 1. After you have accepted an offer of admission to a UC campus, submit your Statement of Legal Residence to the campus residence deputy.

• 2. If you then receive a nonresident classification, the campus residence deputy may provide additional forms for you to complete to determine your eligibility for the AB 540 nonresident tuition exemption. Be prepared to provide official California school transcripts and proof of high school graduation.

Once UC grants you the exemption, you won't need to reapply as long as your visa status doesn't change and you're continuously enrolled in the program to which you've been admitted at a UC campus.