Residency for Tuition Purposes

What is Residency for Tuition Purposes? This page provides basic information about how residency is determined.

The Admissions Office is responsible for determining the residency status of SFSU applicants for CSU tuition purposes. This page provides basic information about how residency is determined.

Determination of Residency for Tuition Purposes 

Undergraduate Admissions and Recruitment is responsible for determining the residency for tuition purposes of all new and continuing SFSU students. The determination of residency for tuition purposes affects whether a student pays in-state or out-of-state tuition and fees. Just because a student is or has been a resident of California, does not mean that he or she qualifies to receive the in-state tuition rate. 

Residency is based on a student's application for admission, CSU Residence Questionnaire and, as necessary, other information or documentation provided by the student. A student who fails to provide sufficient information to establish California residency will be classified as a nonresident for tuition purposes.  

The California State University (CSU) requirements for establishing residency for tuition purposes are independent from requirements for establishing residency for other purposes, such as for tax purposes or other state or institutional residency. Provisions for residency at a California State University also differ from those at the University of California or the California Community Colleges.

Initial Determination

A student’s initial residency status is determined by the SFSU Admissions Office according to answers to questions on the Cal State Apply application. If additional information is required in order to determine residency status, you will be asked to submit a CSU Residence Questionnaire and may be asked to provide copies of official or legal supporting documents. 

To be eligible for resident classification, the following requirements must be met at least one year and one day prior to the Residence Determination Date:

  1. Have an eligible immigration status to establish California residency.
  2. Demonstrate the legal intent to establish California residency.
    • If the student is under the age of 19 (with limited exceptions), the student’s residence status is derived from that of the parent or from that of the legal guardian. 
  3. Have established and maintained a physical presence and permanent residence in California.

For more information, see the CSU Determining California Residency page. 

Reclassification (Continuing Students) 

If you are currently classified as a nonresident and would like to be considered for California resident status in a future term, you will need to submit a reclassification request to Undergraduate Admissions and Recruitment.

To be considered for reclassification, you must:  

  1. Have an eligible immigration status to establish California residency.
  2. Demonstrate the legal intent to establish California residency.
  3. Establish and maintain a physical presence and permanent residence in California.
  4. Satisfy the requirement of financial independence as outlined in Title 5 CCR § 41905.5. 

To request reclassification, please submit a CSU Residence Questionnaire and your supporting documentation to Undergraduate Admissions and Recruitment via email to csuresidency@sfsu.edu.

All communication, including determinations, will be sent via email. Until a decision is made, students will remain classified as nonresidents and are responsible for on-time payment of nonresident fees.

For more information, see the Continuing Students Residency page.

Exemptions and Reductions

The Nonresident Tuition Exemption (commonly known as AB-540) is available for certain nonresident students (including U.S. citizens, permanent residents and undocumented individuals) who have attended, graduated or achieved the equivalent from a California school.

Nonresident Tuition Exemption AB-540

The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) is a regional tuition savings agreement administered by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE).  

WUE enables freshmen and transfer students from one of 16 WICHE states and territories in the Western U.S. to enroll as nonresidents at SFSU at a reduced fee level. 

Western Undergraduate Exchange Fee Reduction

State and federal laws provide exemptions from nonresident tuition for current and former members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their dependents. In accordance with these laws, students who are eligible for federal veterans education benefits may not be charged nonresident tuition. 

Active duty servicemembers or dependents of servicemembers should out to the Residency Coordinator at csuresidency@sfsu.edu. 

Veterans and dependents using federal veterans education benefits should make sure your Certificate of Eligibility from the Department of Veterans Affairs is on file with the Veterans Services Center. 

Other exceptions may include: 

  • Team USA Student Athlete
    • Dependent of a California Resident
    • Graduate of a California school operated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs
    • Employees of the CSU or California State employees assigned outside California and their spouses, registered domestic partners and children
    • Employee of California school districts
    • Minors capable of establishing legal residence
    • Spouse or child of deceased law enforcement or fire suppression and prevention public employee
    • ​Undergraduate dependent of September 11, 2001 attack victims
    • ​Citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau

For more information on if you may qualify for an exception, see the CSU Exceptions & Exemptions page.

Residency Forms

Please review the forms below to have your California Residency status evaluated. 

CSU Residency Questionnaire

If you are applying for admission to SFSU and have Residency Questionnaire on your To Do List, please send us this form. It will help us determine if you meet the California residency requirements. The Residency Questionnaire is also used for students who are currently attending SFSU and wish to ask for residence reclassification. 

Non-Resident Tuition Exemption Request (AB540)

If you are a new or continuing student requesting consideration for the nonresident tuition exemption under AB 540, please send us this form.

How to Send Forms

You can send your forms by mail or through email.  

Mailing address:  

Office of Undergraduate Admissions and Recruitment 

San Francisco State University 

1600 Holloway Avenue 

San Francisco, CA 94132 

Email: csuresidency@sfsu.edu

Residence Determination Dates 

The Residence Determination Date is a date in which supporting documents and physical presence must be met for the previous year. This means that students must be physically present and show the intent of making California their permanent home a year and one day prior to the Residence Determination Date.   

The Residence Determination Date for each term are as follows: 

  1. Fall: September 20
  2. Spring: January 25
  3. Summer: June 1  

Residency Appeals 

A student classified as a nonresident may appeal a final campus decision within 30 days of notification by the campus.  

Appeals will be accepted only if at least one of the following criteria applies: 

  1. The decision was based on:
    1. a significant error of fact by the campus
    2. a significant procedural error by the campus
    3. an incorrect application of the law which, if corrected, would require that the student be reclassified as a California resident
  2. Important new information that the student didn’t have or know about earlier became available after the campus decided the student was a nonresident. Based on this new information, that classification is now incorrect.  

Instructions to submit an appeal and additional information can be found on the CSU Filing a Residency Appeal page.

Residency status questions?