Office of Admissions

Residency

The Office of Admissions is responsible for determining the residence status of all new and returning students based on the CSU Application for Admission, Residence Questionnaire form, and, as necessary, other evidence furnished by the student. A student who fails to submit adequate information to establish eligibility for resident classification will be classified as a nonresident.

Generally, establishing California residence for tuition purposes requires a combination of physical presence and intent to remain indefinitely. An adult who, at least one full year prior to the residence determination date for the term in which enrollment is contemplated, can demonstrate both physical presence in the state combined with evidence of intent to remain in California indefinitely may establish California residence for tuition purposes. A student normally derives residence from the parent(s) they reside with or most recently resided, until the age of 19.

The residence determination dates are September 20 for fall and January 25 for spring . Proof of residence requires evidence of both physical presence and intent to remain indefinitely in California at least one year before the residence determination date.

Evidence demonstrating intent may vary from case to case but will include, and is not limited to, the absence of residential ties to any other state, California voter registration, maintaining California vehicle registration and driver’s license, maintaining active California bank accounts, filing California income tax returns and listing a California address on federal tax returns, owning residential property or occupying or renting an apartment where permanent belongings are kept, maintaining active memberships in California professional or social organizations, and maintaining a permanent military address and home of record in California.

Non-citizens establish residence in the same manner as citizens, unless precluded by the Immigration and Nationality Act from establishing domicile in the United States.

Enrolled, nonresident students seeking reclassification are required to complete a Residency Reclassification Request form including questions concerning their financial dependence, which will be considered along with physical presence and intent in determining reclassification. Reclassifications are coordinated through the Office of the Registrar. If you believe you are eligible for residency reclassification, notify the Office of the Registrar for the appropriate information. If your online personal registration information does not indicate the correct residency status, you should contact the Office of the Registrar during normal business hours at (619) 594-6871.

The law governing residence for tuition purposes at the California State University is California Education Code sections 68000-68090, 68120-68134, and 89705-89707.5, and California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Subchapter 5, Article 4, sections 41900-41916. This material can be viewed on the Internet by accessing the California State University’s Web site.

For detailed information about determining your residence status for fee purposes, see the San Diego State University General Catalog.