Resident Classification
Under California law, SDSU must determine the residence status of
all new and returning students. Your residence status is determined by
the Oce of Admissions according to your responses on the admission
application, Residency Questionnaire, Reclassification Request Form,
and, as necessary, other evidence furnished by you. If you do not submit
requested information verifying eligibility for a resident classification, you
will be classified as a non-resident for tuition purposes. Nonresidents are
required to pay nonresident tuition and meet other conditions.
Non-resident applicants seeking reclassification are required to complete
a supplemental questionnaire concerning their financial independence,
which will be considered along with physical presence and intent during
the reclassification review. Non-citizens establish residence in the same
manner as citizens unless precluded by federal law from establishing
domicile in the United States. Students that come from out-of-state will
most likely remain nonresident while enrolled at SDSU.
Residency reclassification applications and all supporting documentation
must be submitted prior to or during the term in which reclassification
is requested.
The SDSU residence determination dates are:
Fall semester: September 20
Spring semester: January 25
Summer term: June 1
Establishing CA Residency
To be eligible for resident classification,
you must have established and maintained
permanent residence in California at least one
full year prior to the residence determination
date. You are not eligible if you moved to
California primarily to attend a California higher
education institution or because you have
financial hardship. You must prove that you
have moved to California permanently and are
not merely living in California temporarily while
you attend SDSU.
If you are a student being claimed on taxes,
lived with or supported by parents during any
of the past three years, you most likely will not
be classified as a California resident for tuition
purposes. SDSU is a tax-supported institution
and expects the student to be self-supporting
and to be filing California income taxes. You
are expected to establish California residency
separate from both of your parents and your
enrollment in school. If it appears that you could
not be self-supporting, it will be determined
that you are most likely in California for
educational purposes.
Residency determination of students and
applicants under the age of 19 on the residency
determination date is based on the residency
status of the parent they are living with or has
most recently lived with.
The law governing California residency for tuition purposes at the California State University is established by State Law and the
California Code of Regulations. Despite the length of time you attend a California State University or live in California, you might
not qualify for California residency for tuition purposes. SDSU cannot alter or waive the eligibility criteria for any reason.
The term “California resident” for tuition purposes may dier from other definitions of California residency. A person who has
a California driver’s license, vehicle registration, or who is a California resident for tax, voting, or welfare purposes may have
established legal residence in the state but might not necessarily be considered a resident for tuition purposes.
California Residency
for Tuition Purposes
Enrollment Services, 2/2018
Evidence of Permanent Residency
Establishing residence in California for tuition purposes requires that, for
at least one full year prior to the residence determination date, you have
ocial and/or legal documents showing that you have been physically
present in the state and that you intend to remain in California indefinitely.
Living in California or attending SDSU for 12 months is not sucient to
fulfill the requirements. Students that come from out-of-state will most
likely remain nonresident while enrolled at SDSU.
To show your intent to remain in California, acceptable evidence
includes, but is not limited to:
• A valid visa that allows you to establish residency, if not a U.S. citizen
• California voter registration and voting in California elections
• California vehicle registration and driver’s license or I.D. card
• California state income taxes being filed the previous year
• Active California bank account
• Employment (or proof of support for the past year) with copies of
W-2 form(s)
• Active membership in California professional or social organizations
• A permanent military address and home of record in California
• Mortgage/lease/rental agreement of a residence where permanent
belongings are kept
• Additionally, there may be other criteria that prevents residency
reclassification. Please consult the CA Education Code and the
CA Code of Regulations.
Exceptions for Special Populations
Members of the military and their dependents and certain credentialed
employees of school districts and certain high school students who have
attended three full years of high school in California and attained the
equivalent to high school graduation may be considered exceptions to
non-resident classification. Exceptions cannot be determined without
the submission of an admission application and necessary supporting
documentation.
Changes to Residency Status
If you believe you are eligible for residency
reclassification or if your personal registration
information in the WebPortal does not indicate
the correct residency status, contact the Oce
of the Registrar during normal business hours.
It is your responsibility to notify the Oce of
the Registrar of any changes in residency status.
This includes changes from non-resident to
resident and from resident to non-resident.
Resident students who become non-residents,
or who no longer meet the criteria for an
exception, must immediately notify the Oce
of the Registrar.
If you are incorrectly classified as a resident
or incorrectly granted an exception from
non-resident tuition, you are subject to
reclassification as a non-resident and payment
of non-resident tuition in arrears. If incorrect
classification results from false or concealed
facts, you are subject to discipline pursuant to
Section 41301 of Title 5 of the California Code
of Regulations.
Changes may be made in the rate of
non-resident tuition and in the statutes and
regulations governing California residence
for tuition purposes between the time this
information is published and the relevant
residence determination date. You are urged to
review the following statutes and regulations:
California Education Code sections 68000-
68084, 68120-68134, and 89705-89707.5,
and California Code of Regulations, Title 5,
sections 41900-41916.
California Residency for Tuition Purposes
Enrollment Services, 2/2018
If you are currently classified as a non-resident of California for tuition purposes and believe you meet
the requirements for California residency, follow the steps below to submit the documentation necessary
for a review of your residency status.
1. Answer all of the questions on the Reclassification Request form.
2. Attach a photocopy of each relevant document that substantiates your California residency.
Do not submit original documents as evidence.
3. Submit your Reclassification Request as soon as possible, before registration for the next semester.
If you personally deliver your form, note that we cannot make copies of documents for you.
Forms are accepted in person in the Oce of the Registrar, Student Services West 1641, or by mail at the
following address:
San Diego State University
Oce of the Registrar/Legal Residency
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA 92182-7453
The reclassification review process may take three to four weeks, depending upon the volume of
requests received. Requests will be processed in the order they are received.
Contact
Residency Specialist
Oce of the Registrar
San Diego State University
(619) 594-6871
ResidencyForT[email protected]
More information about California residency can be found at:
www2.calstate.edu/apply/pages/determining-california-residency.aspx
NOTE: San Diego State University nor Chancellor’s Oce sta are able to give advice on the application
of these California residence laws. You are strongly urged to review the material and consult with a legal
advisor if necessary.
California Residency
Reclassification Request
Enrollment Services, 10/2018