A member of the military may be exempted from nonresident fees if he is stationed in California on active duty, unless the assignment is for the purpose of attending a state-supported institution of higher education. An undergraduate student may be entitled to an exemption from the nonresident tuition indefinitely. A graduate or professional student will be eligible for an exemption only until he has resided in the state the minimum time necessary to become a resident (366 days). Because the exemption period is limited to no more than one year for graduate and professional students, it is imperative that the student designate California as the state of legal residence (not “home of record”) on appropriate military records, and take steps to establish California residency immediately upon arrival. Any delay in establishing California residency will delay the earliest time classification as a resident may be granted following the exemption period. After one year, the graduate or professional student must file a petition with the Registrar's Office to determine if he qualifies for classification as a California resident.

The student must meet all of the following requirements:

1. Must be on active military duty [1] in California on the residence determination date of the quarter for which the exemption is requested;
   AND
2. Must not have been assigned to California for the purpose of attending a state-supported institution. A student who has been assigned to a military base in California with orders to attend a state-supported school will not be eligible for an exemption from the nonresident tuition;
   AND
3. A graduate student must not have been stationed in California for more than one year immediately prior to the residence determination date of the quarter for which the exemption is requested.

The student must provide the following:

• A statement from his commanding officer or personnel officer indicating the specific date of his assignment to California, and that the assignment to active duty is not for educational purposes.

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 residence determination date. Please refer any questions to the Residence Deputy at (805) 893-3033 or e-mail michael.basile@sa.ucsb.edu

[1] Active duty military members do not include National Guard or reserve members.

1. is stationed in California on active duty on the residence determination date, or
2. after serving in California on active duty has been transferred outside California where he continues to serve, or
3. has retired from active duty immediately after serving in California.

The student must provide the following:

• A statement from the military member’s commanding officer or personnel officer indicating the specific date(s) of the member’s assignment to California, and that the assignment to active duty is not for educational purposes:
  • Child: must provide documentation that indicates dependent status (e.g. tax forms, military records, etc.).
  • Spouse or Registered Domestic Partner: must provide documentation that indicates marital/partner and dependent status (e.g. marriage certificate, tax forms, military records, etc.). Domestic partners must provide documentation of registered partner status, as well as dependent status.

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 residence determination date. Please refer any questions to the Residence Deputy at (805) 893-3033 or e-mail michael.basile@sa.ucsb.edu

*Graduate and professional students are entitled to the waiver for no more than one academic year.