Requirements: (The following must all be fulfilled.)

• The student must have attended a high school (public or private) in California for three or more years. (Documentation Required)
• The student must have graduated from a California high school or attained the equivalent prior to the start of the term (for example, passing the GED or CHSPE exam). (Documentation Required)
• An alien student who is without lawful immigration status must file an affidavit with the college or university stating that he or she has filed an application to legalize his or her immigration status, or will file an application as soon as he or she is eligible to do so. (Documentation Required, if applicable)
• Students who are nonimmigrants (for example, those who hold F (student) visas, B (visitor) visas, etc) are not eligible for this exemption.

• The student must file an exemption request including a signed affidavit with the college that indicates the student has met all applicable conditions described above. Student information obtained in this process is strictly confidential unless disclosure is required under law.

• Students eligible for this exemption who are transferring to another California public college or university must submit a new request (and documentation if required) to each college under consideration.

• Nonresident students meeting the criteria will be exempted from the payment of nonresident tuition, but they will not be classified as California residents. Students will continue to hold nonresident status.

• AB540 does not provide student financial aid eligibility for undocumented alien students. These students remain ineligible for state and federal financial aid.

Click to view the California Nonresident Tuition Exemption.

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