University of California Nonresident Tuition Exemption for Eligible California High School Graduates (AB 540)
Students enrolled or in the process of enrolling at a University of California campus after January 1, 2002, who attended a high school in California for three or more years, and who graduated from a California high school (or attained the equivalent), may qualify for an exemption from nonresident fees. Undergraduate, graduate, and professional students are eligible to apply. Students may apply for this exemption only after an official nonresident determination has been made by the campus Residence Deputy. Students may not file an exemption application prior to, or in lieu of, submitting a Statement of Legal Residence.

Students who qualify will be exempt from payment of the Nonresident Tuition and the Educational Fee differential charged to nonresidents. Eligibility for this exemption will continue until the student fulfills University requirements for classification as a California resident, or until this exemption is no longer available.

Notice: students are cautioned that there is no guarantee that this exemption will be offered indefinitely, and it is in a student’s best interest to change classification to California resident for tuition purposes as soon as s/he becomes eligible. If at any time a student fails to meet any requirement of this provision, s/he will be charged nonresident tuition and the Educational Fee Differential retroactively to the term her/his status precluded eligibility. Continuing students who receive this exemption, and who thereafter qualify as California residents, will be expected to file a petition to change classification at the earliest possible date. Continuing students should see the campus Residence Deputy in the Office of the Registrar for information regarding the reclassification process.

Exemption Requirements:

The student must meet all of the following:
  1. attended a high school in California for three or more years; and
  2. graduated from a California high school (or attained the equivalent ); and
  3. enrolled, or is in the process of enrolling, at a University of California campus after January 1, 2002.

Students who do not have lawful immigration status, but otherwise meet the above requirements, will be eligible for this exemption if they certify that they are taking steps to legalize their immigration status.

Nonimmigrant students, regardless of visa category, are not eligible for this exemption. Nonimmigrants, as defined by federal immigration law, have been admitted to the United States temporarily, and may have a legal status in the United States under one of the following visa categories:
A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, NATO, O, P, Q, R, S, TN, TD, TROV or V.

Notice: the student is cautioned that this summation is not a complete explanation of the laws regarding residence. Additional information is available from the Office of the Registrar. Changes may be made in the residence requirements between the publication date of this statement and the relevant determination date. Students who have questions regarding this exemption may refer to the UCSB Registrar web site at www.registrar.ucsb.edu/ You may also contact the campus Residence Deputy at (805) 893-3033 or e-mail michael.basile@sa.ucsb.edu

1. A Statement of Legal Residence is filed by each student after completion of the admission process.AB 540 AB540
2. Ninth grade, whether at a middle school or high school, will be considered a year of high school attendance.
3. A Certificate of Proficiency resulting from the California High School Proficiency Examination or a High School Equivalency Certificate issued by the California State GED office may be used as evidence of graduation from a California high school .
4. Either because the student was not lawfully admitted to the U.S., or because the period of lawful admission has expired.
5. Students without legal status in the U.S. will be required to sign an affidavit stating that they will legalize their immigration status as soon as they are eligible to do so.
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Last Modified on April 18, 2006