AB540
What is AB 540?
Assembly Bill (AB) 540 is a California State Law that allows students, who meet certain criteria, to pay in-state tuition at any University of California (UC), Cal State University (CSU), or California Community College. It was signed into law on October 12, 2001 by Governor Gray Davis.
How To Apply
After you have accepted an offer of admission to a UC campus, submit your Statement of Legal Residence to the campus residence deputy.
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.
Who Is Eligible?
Students (including undocumented students) who, for various reasons, are classified as nonresidents may be eligible.
You must meet all the following requirements to be eligible:
Attend a California high school for three* or more years (9th grade counts)
Graduate (or will graduate) from a high school in California or the equivalent (a High School Equivalency Certificate issued by the California State GED Office or a Certificate of Proficiency resulting from the California High School Proficiency Examination are considered equivalent to high school graduation).
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 Is 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.
*Except for holders of T and U visas: UC policy permits T and U visa holders with approved I-485 applications who meet the requirements described above to be exempt from nonresident supplemental tuition until they are eligible to establish California residency according to UC policy.
DACA students who do not meet the AB 540 tuition requirements, listed above, will not be eligible for the exemption.
SB 68
What is SB 68?
SB68 is a bill that expands AB540 which allows students to include the years spent at a California Community College and Adult School towards AB 540 eligibility. The bill allows the completion of an Associate's Degree or satisfaction of the minimum requirements to transfer to the University of California (UC) or California State University (CSU) to meet the degree or unit requirements. This eligibility expansion allows students educated in CA to have more possibilities of qualifying for in-state tuition and state-based financial aid at California Community Colleges (CCCs), California State Universities (CSUs), and Universities of California (UCs).
SB 68 benefits students who didn't go to three years of high school in California.
SB 68 allows students to count full-time attendance at a California Community College, Adult School, Department of Rehabilitation and Correction School, High School, or a combination of these schools to meet the 3 years required to be eligible for in-state tuition. Students who have three years of high school coursework can also count attendance at an elementary school.
SB 68 benefits students who don't have a California High School Diploma or didn’t get their GED in California. Students are able to use an Associate's Degree or the fulfillment of the minimum transfer requirements for the UCs or CSUs to meet requirements. Contact the school you plan to attend for further information.
How To Apply
- After you have accepted an offer of admission to a UC campus, submit your Statement of Legal Residence to the campus residence deputy.
- 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.
Who is Eligible?
- Undocumented individuals
- T & U visa holders
- U.S. citizens
- Lawfully present immigrants that meet eligibility criteria
Who is NOT Eligible?
- Individuals with...
- International student visas
- Visitor visas
- Other "non-immigrant" statuses not mentioned as eligible
What do you need to qualify?
To qualify and be considered for the nonresident tuition exemption under AB 540/SB 68 you must meet all three of the following requirements:
Time & Coursework requirements
Either:
- Attendance of 3 full-time years or the equivalent attainment of credits 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)
Or:
- Three years of California high school coursework & Three years of total attendance at a California elementary school, California secondary school, or any combination of the two.
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
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).