APPLY
VISIT
GIVEResidency For Tuition Purposes
Latest News
Every student attending a California State University is classified as either a California resident or a non-California resident for tuition purposes. This classification is important because nonresident students are required to pay an additional fee per unit each semester. Eligibility criteria is established by state law and the California Code of Regulations and implemented by the California State University system.
At California State University Dominguez Hills (CSUDH), the Office of Admissions is responsible for determining the residency status of all new, returning, and continuing students. For new students, the initial residency classification is based on the information provided in the Cal State Apply admissions application. Students may request a review of their residency status by submitting appropriate documentation, such as the CSU Residence Questionnaire Form, the California Nonresident Tuition Exemption Request Form, and, as needed, additional supporting documents.
Students are strongly encouraged to review their residency status and tuition charges on their student portal and contact the Office of Admissions with any questions. It is the student鈥檚 responsibility to verify all fee balances prior to the start of the term.
Out-of-state tuition will be charged to students who do not meet California residency requirements or qualify for an exemption or exception, such as the Nonresident Tuition Exemption (AB 540). Please note that the CSU does not grant retroactive residency changes. If a student paid out-of-state tuition in previous terms, the CSU cannot grant retroactive requests or change residency status because evidence of California residency was not provided to the campus by the stated deadlines.
To be classified as a California resident for tuition purposes, the student (or parent(s) of a minor student that is 18 years old or younger) must demonstrate they have been physically present in California for at least one calendar year and one day to show the intent to make California their permanent home.
New Students: All new students are initially classified as either a California Resident or a Non-Resident based on the information provided in the Cal State Apply Admissions application. Residency status can be viewed in the top-left corner of the admissions decision email. The Office of Admissions will contact admitted students to remind them of their opportunity to request a review of their residency classification. Students may request an initial residency classification review to determine eligibility for in-state tuition.
Continuing Students: All continuing students can view their current residency status in the MyCSUDH student portal. Students may request residency reclassification in the future if their status changes after the initial determination. For more information, please review the 鈥淒irections for submitting documentation鈥� section of the residency webpage to learn how to submit a residency reclassification packet.
New CSUDH students seeking a California residency classification or continuing students requesting a reclassification to California residency must meet the deadlines below when submitting a complete residency packet to the Office of Admissions.
While you are collecting your supporting documents, ensure they are clear and legible copies of documents that support your claim for California residency. Documents must be dated one year and one day prior to the Residence Determination Date for the term in which you are seeking a California residency status for tuition purposes.
Minor students (those 18 years old or younger) must submit supporting documents for their parent(s).
| Semester | Residence Determination Date | Document & Questionnaire Deadline | Required Document Date |
| Fall Semester | September 20th | September 20th | Documents must be dated on or before September 19, 2025 for Fall 2026 enrollment |
| Spring Semester | January 25th | January 25th | Documents must be dated on or before January 24, 2025 for Spring 2026 enrollment |
| Summer Semester | June 1st | June 1st | Documents must be dated on or before May 31, 2025 for Summer 2026 enrollment |
Adult Students
Adult students (students who are 19 years old by the Residence Determination Date for the semester to which they are applying) will have to establish their own residency in California for tuition purposes if they are a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, another eligible immigration status, or a non-immigrant who is not precluded from establishing a domicile in the United States. The student must establish clear evidence of their intent to abandon the derived residence of their out-of-state parent(s) and adopt a new residence in California. A married person will establish their residency independent of their spouse.
Minor Students
Minor, unmarried students (students who are less than 19 years old by the Residence Determination Date) derive their legal residency from their natural parent or adoptive parent with whom the minor maintains, or last maintained, their place of abode. The residence of a minor cannot be changed by the minor's own act, by the appointment of a legal guardian, or by the relinquishment of a parent's right of control as long as the minor's parents are still living. That parent must be a California resident, as defined by the California Education Code, for at least one year and one day immediately prior to the Residence Determination Date for the minor to qualify for California residency.
Non-US Citizen
A non-U.S. citizen may establish residency, unless precluded from establishing a domicile in the United States by the Immigration and Nationality Act. An unmarried minor derives his or her residence from his or her natural or adoptive parents. A non-U.S. citizen adult may establish their own residence in accordance with established guidelines and timelines.
Students seeking the AB 540 exemption should complete the California Nonresident Tuition Exemption Request (AB 540) Form unless they have completed and electronically signed the AB 540 affidavit embedded within the California Dream Act application. For additional guidance, see the page and CSUDH Financial Aid CA Dream Act page.
- Download a听California Nonresident Tuition Exemption Request Form and complete the form in its entirety.
- Submit your complete exemption request to .
The California State University (CSU) Foster Youth Tuition Waiver is available for current and former foster care youth who are enrolled at a California State University campus in an undergraduate program.
For additional information and to review the eligibility criteria visit the听听辫补驳别.
- Download the and complete the form in its entirety.
- Submit your form and supporting documentation to .
Several state and federal laws provide exemptions for current and former members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their dependents from paying nonresident tuition. While these fee exemptions ensure students do not pay more than California residents do, they do not establish California residency or eligibility for state benefits that require residency.
For additional information and to review the eligibility criteria, visit the page.
- Download the听CSU Residence Questionnaire听and complete the form in its entirety.
- Gather supporting documentation. To review the required documents, visit the page.
- Review Residence Determination Dates for exemption form deadlines each term.
- Submit your complete exemption request and supporting documentation to .
Continuing students classified as nonresidents must demonstrate physical presence in California, the intent to remain in California indefinitely, financial independence and eligible immigration status (as necessary). The financial independence requirement for continuing students must be satisfied as outlined in Title 5 CCR 搂 41905.5.
Students are responsible for providing the necessary information for residency reclassification. If more details are needed, the Office of Admissions will reach out with further instructions. Students may be asked to submit additional documents to clarify their request. Providing complete information promptly will help avoid delays in the review process.
For continuing students seeking reclassification as a California resident for tuition purposes, demonstrating financial independence is essential. According to Title 5 CCR 搂 41905.5, this requires that:
- The student has not been claimed as a tax dependent by their parents in the current year or in any of the three prior years.
- The student has not received more than $750 in financial support from their parents during the same period.
- The student has not lived with their parents for more than six weeks in any of those years.
In addition to financial independence, students must satisfy the requirements for an eligible immigration status, physical presence, and intent to remain indefinitely in the state. To pursue reclassification, complete a CSU Residence Questionnaire Form and provide supporting documents.
- Download the听CSU Residence Questionnaire听and complete the form in its entirety.
- Submit your complete reclassification request and supporting documentation to .
Please note that actions and/or documents that show residential ties to a state or country other than California may cause a denial for residency.
All Students:
- Download a CSU Residence Questionnaire and complete the form in its entirety.
- Submit a minimum of three documents to verify residency. The options to meet the requirement are:
- Option 1: One document from List A and two documents from List B, or
- Option 2: Two documents from List A and one document from List B, or
- Option 3: All three documents from List A (for example: CA Driver's License, CA Vehicle Registration and CA Voter Registration card)
- List A:
- California State Income Tax Return (Form 540)
- Proof of ownership of residential property as a primary residence in California
- Proof of continuous occupancy of rented or leased property in California
- Obtaining a California Driver's License or Identification Card
- Registering To Vote and Voting History
- Registering a Motor Vehicle Operated in California
- Retaining a permanent Military Address or Home of Record on Military Records
- Receipt of California State Services (e.g., unemployment, disability, CalFresh)
- Payment of non-resident tuition at an out-of-state institution, if attended within the past calendar year
- List B:
- Federal Income Tax Return with a California address (Form 1040 or similar)
- Utility bill (e.g., cell phone, gas, electrical) with the same California address. Note: only one utility bill will be accepted.
- Maintaining Active Resident Memberships in Professional Organizations (e.g., police union, teachers' union)
- Maintaining an Active Bank Account with a California address
- Employment in California (e.g. verification of employment, W-2, pay stubs)
- Motor Vehicle insurance with a California address (student must be listed in the policy)
- Selective Service Registration with a California address
- Court documents (e.g., ward of the court, divorce decree, or child support)
- 3. If you are a citizen of another country, you must additionally submit paperwork on your current immigration status, such as:
- Copy of Green Card (front and back)
- Visa or Employment Card (front and back)
- 4. Submit your complete Residency Packet and supporting documentation to .
- List A:
The Office of Admissions will determine a student鈥檚 residency status. After the initial determination has been issued, students may submit a residency reclassification packet with supporting documentation for review. If a request to change residency status to California resident is denied, the student will receive a final campus notification explaining the reason for the decision.
Students classified as nonresidents may appeal the decision to the Chancellor鈥檚 Office within 30 calendar days of the date of the final campus decision notification. A campus decision may be appealed only if at least one of the following conditions applies:
- The decision was based on:
- a significant error of fact;
- a significant procedural error; or
- an incorrect application of law which, if corrected, would require that the student be reclassified as a resident; and/or
- Significant new information, not previously known or available to the student, become available after the date of the campus decision classifying the student as a nonresident and based on the new information, the classification as a nonresident is incorrect.
础听听must be submitted online.