A student’s initial residency classification is made by the California Community College System through the statewide CCCApply application. Applications cannot be changed once submitted and students must proceed through the residency reclassification process to change their residency status by petitioning the individual community college. Students can schedule an online appointment with an Admissions and Records Technician for assistance with residency reclassification or AB 540 form submission.
General Residency Reclassification Requirements
Students who wish to change their residency status to California resident must submit the Residency Reclassification Petition and required proof. The burden of proof to demonstrate both physical presence in the state of California and intent to establish permanent California residency is on the student. In addition, students must show that they are financially independent. Students who are financially dependent upon others derive their residency from that other person. This means the student must provide:
- Documentation of legal status if the student is not a United States citizen; and
- A minimum of two (2) acceptable proofs to establish California residency.
- Documentation that shows the student is financial independent or financially dependent upon a California resident.
If the student is not a US citizen, the student must submit documentation of legal status for the student only. Please note that many students are often required to provide additional proofs/documents as the application is evaluated. Also, being approved by one college does not dictate or change the reclassification process.
Students who will be under 19 years of age at the start of the semester in question cannot establish residency on their own, they derive residency from their parent, legal guardian, or caretaker. In that instance, a minimum of two proofs must be submitted showing that a parent, legal guardian or caretaker is a California resident. All documentation must be for the same parent or guardian. If the student lives with a legal guardian, court guardianship documents must also be submitted.
If a student or the parents of a minor student relinquish California residence after moving away from California, one full year of physical presence, coupled with one full year of demonstrated intent to be a California resident, is required to reestablish residence. Reference: T5 54030
Conduct inconsistent with a claim for California residence includes but is not limited to:
- Maintaining voter registration and voting in another state.
- Being a petitioner for a divorce or lawsuit as a resident in another state.
- Attending an out-of-state higher education institution as a resident of that state.
- Declaring non-residence for California income tax purposes.
Reference: T5 54024
Military Personnel
The laws and regulations governing residency and residency determination for military personnel and their dependents are complex. These students are encouraged to contact Admissions and Records Office if they have any questions.
Non-US Citizen/Permanent Resident Students
A student who is not a US Citizen or Permanent Resident may establish his or her residence pursuant to the provisions of the California Education Code if not precluded by the Immigration and Nationality Act from establishing domicile in the United States; provided that the student has had residence in California for more than one year prior to the residence determination date for the semester or session for which attendance is proposed. Reference: ECS 68062(h), T5 54045
A non-US citizen/permanent resident is precluded from establishing domicile in the United States if they hold a visa type in accordance with Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C., 1101(a)(15). Please note, students precluded from establishing domicile in the US may be subject to a nonresident tuition exemption.
ECS = Education Code Section
T5 = Title 5 Section
AP 5013 Students in the Military
AP 5015 Residence Determination
AP 5020 Nonresident Tuition
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