Some members of the U.S. Armed Forces may qualify for an exemption from nonresident supplemental tuition based on the federal Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008. Under this Act, undergraduate and graduate students who are members of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty for a period of more than 30 days and whose domicile or permanent duty station is in California, are entitled to an exemption from nonresident supplemental tuition. Students must be continuously enrolled at the University, notwithstanding a subsequent change in their permanent duty station to a location outside of California.
Effective July 2015, certain members of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty and veterans (and their dependents) who were separated from U.S. military service are eligible for G.I. Bill (Post-9/11 or Montgomery) program funds may qualify for an exemption from nonresident supplemental tuition.
Members of the U.S. Armed Forces stationed in California are entitled to resident classification unless their assignment to California is for the purpose of attending a state-supported institution of higher education. They must provide the campus residence deputy with a statement from their commanding officer or personnel officer stating that their assignment to active duty in California is not for educational purposes. The letter must include the dates of their assignment to the state.
Students discharged from military service after having been stationed in California on active duty for at least 366 days are entitled to resident classification for the minimum time necessary to establish residence (366 days).
Some dependents of members of the U.S. Armed Forces may qualify for an exemption from nonresident supplemental tuition based on the federal Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008. Under this Act, undergraduate or graduate students who are the spouse or dependent child of a member of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty for a period of more than 30 days and whose domicile or permanent duty station is in California, are entitled to an exemption from nonresident supplemental tuition. Students must be continuously enrolled at the University, notwithstanding a subsequent change in the U.S. Armed Forces member’s permanent duty station to a location outside of California.
Undergraduate students are entitled to resident classification if they are a spouse, natural or adopted child, or stepchild who is a dependent of a member of the U.S. Armed Forces stationed in California. If they are enrolled a an educational institution and the U.S. Armed Forces member is transferred on military orders to a place outside California where he or she continues to serve in those forces, or the U.S. Armed Forces member retires from active duty immediately after having served in California on active duty, they may retain resident status as long as they remain continuously enrolled at that institution.
Under California law AB 540, certain nonresident students are exempt from paying nonresident supplemental tuition. To be eligible, students must have attended three full-time years at a California high school (9th grade included), adult school, and community college (maximum of two years), or attained credits/units earned in California from a California high school equivalent to three or more years of full-time high school coursework and attended a combination of elementary, middle, and/or high school (K-12) in California for a total of three or more years; and graduated from a California high school (or attained the equivalent, such as a High School Equivalency Certificate issued by the state of California or a Certificate of Proficiency resulting from the California High School Proficiency Examination), attained an associate’s degree from a California community college, or fulfilled minimum transfer requirements from a California community college to a UC campus. See AB 540 nonresident tuition exemption. Nonimmigrant alien students are not eligible for the exemption.
To the extent funds are available, if a student is an unmarried dependent child, spouse, or registered domestic partner of a member of the University faculty who is a member of the Academic Senate, they may be eligible for a waiver of nonresident supplemental tuition resident classification. Confirmation of the faculty member’s membership in the Academic Senate must be secured each term this waiver is granted.
Students may be entitled to resident classification if they are a dependent child, spouse, or registered domestic partner of a full-time University of California employee whose assignment is outside California. Their parent’s, spouse’s, or registered domestic partner’s employment status with the University must be ascertained each term.
If students have not been an adult resident of California for more than one year and are the natural or adopted dependent child of a California resident who has been a resident for more than one year immediately prior to the residence determination date, they may be entitled to a resident classification until they have resided in California the minimum time necessary to become a resident, so long as continuous attendance is maintained at an institution.
Students who are graduates of a California high school operated by the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs may be entitled to a resident classification.
Students holding a valid credential authorizing service in the public schools of the State of California who are employed by a school district in a full-time certificate position may be entitled to a resident classification.
Team USA student athlete who trains in California in an elite-level program approved by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee is eligible for a contingent resident classification for one year, subject to continued eligibility for this provision as defined by California Education Code section 68083. Or, the student is eligible to receive a resident classification based on timely satisfaction of applicable residence requirements. The student should contact Team USA for a letter of eligibility.
Notwithstanding any other provisions, students who reside in California and who are currently dependents or wards of the state through the California child welfare system, or were served by the California child welfare system, shall be entitled to a resident classification as long as they remain continuously enrolled.
Students may be entitled to a waiver of nonresident supplemental tuition if they are the child, spouse, or registered domestic partner of a deceased public law enforcement or fire suppression employee who was a California resident at the time of their death, and who was killed in the course of fire suppression or law enforcement duties.
Students who are recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor or who are the children of a recipient may be exempt from nonresident supplemental tuition.
Dependent or independent students with valid USCIS refugee, VAWA, T visa, or U visa immigration status is eligible for a limited duration resident classification for one year. They may thereafter be eligible to receive a resident classification based on timely satisfaction of applicable residency requirements.
Students actively incarcerated in a state or federal prison located within California are considered to be under the care and control of the state. Such students who are enrolled at a UC campus and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents qualify as residents for tuition purposes.
