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California Nonresident Tuition Exemption (AB540)

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Certain nonresident students (including U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and undocumented individuals, including students with a T visa or U visa, DACA, or TPS) who have attended, graduated, or achieved the equivalent from a California school may be exempted from paying nonresident tuition. Such students must remain classified as "nonresidents" for residence classification and financial aid eligibility purposes.

Financial Aid
The California Dream Act allows certain students, who have been granted the AB 540 Exemption, to qualify for California financial aid. Students wanting to be eligible for the California Dream Act must have an AB 540 Exemption affidavit on file and remain classified as nonresidents.  It is encouraged for students, particularly students with DACA or TPS, to review the eligibility requirements and seek financial aid advice from the campus Financial Aid Office to learn more about the California Dream Act.

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California Nonresident Tuition Exemption Requirements

Students seeking exemption from nonresident tuition must satisfy attendance and graduation/transfer requirements from a California school (e.g., K-12, adult school, and community college). Students must also complete and submit the California Nonresident Tuition Exemption Request form, along with supporting documents (i.e., transcripts, proof of attendance) to the CSUF Office of Admissions.

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Eligibility Requirement

Nonresident students (including U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and undocumented individuals, including students with a T visa or U visa, DACA, or TPS).

Attendance Requirements

California Education Code Section 68130.5 states that a student shall be exempt from paying nonresident tuition at the California State University and the California Community Colleges if the student meets the following requirements for three or more years of attendance:

Section A

A total attendance of – or attainment of credits earned while in California equivalent to – three or more years of full-time attendance or attainment of credits at any of the following:

  • California high schools.
  • California high schools established by the State Board of Education.
  • California adult schools established by any of the following entities:
    • A county office of education.
    • A unified school district or high school district.
    • The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
  • Campuses of the California Community Colleges*
  • A combination of those schools set forth in this section, inclusive.

*A year's equivalence at a California community college is either a minimum of 24 semester units of credit or 54 quarter units.  Full-time attendance at a California adult school is a minimum of 420 hours of attendance for each school year.

Section B

Three or more years of full-time high school coursework, and a total of three or more years of attendance in California elementary schools, California secondary schools, or a combination of California elementary and secondary schools.

Graduation/Transfer Requirement

Students must satisfy the graduation/transfer requirement by fulfilling any of the following:

  • Graduation from a California high school or attainment of the equivalent thereof; or
  • Attainment of an associate degree from a campus of the California Community Colleges; or
  • Fulfillment of the minimum transfer requirements established for the CSU for students transferring from a campus of the California Community Colleges.
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Steps to Submit Request for the California Nonresident Tuition Exemption (AB540)

  1. Complete the California Nonresident Tuition Exemption Request
    1. Attach transcripts where noted on the second page of the request form.
      1. If you have satisfied the attendance (3 or more years) and graduation (diploma) requirements in high school, attach only your high school transcript.
      2. If not, attach a combination of transcripts showing how you meet the attendance and graduation requirements listed above.
    2. Review that you have answered all questions and attached all necessary documentation then click “submit” to send us your request packet.
  2. Submit official transcripts to CSUF Admissions of the transcripts you attached to your request form.
  3. Allow 3-4 weeks review and processing time. If additional information is needed, you will be contacted at your CSUF student email address.

California Nonresident Tuition Exemption Request

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