Residency Requirements

Unmarried minors derive their residency status from the parent with whom they are residing. If the minor is not living with either parent, residency is derived from the parent with whom he or she last lived. The student may be classified as a resident if the parent meets the residency requirements.

There are some exceptions to the rule for minors and these exceptions are determined on a case-by-case basis.

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An undocumented immigrant is a person who has no documents evidencing that he or she has applied to the BASES to legalize his or her status in this country.

Undocumented immigrants are not eligible to establish California residency. However, they may become eligible to establish California residency if they take the appropriate steps with BCIS to change their status to a classification that does not preclude them from establishing domicile in the U.S.

There is an exemption from payment of nonresident tuition for certain nonresident students who have attended high school in California and received a high school diploma or its equivalent. Follow this link for more information about AB540 - Can it work for you? 

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Those considered eligible to establish California residency are permanent residents, lawful temporary residents, amnesty, refugees, asylees, and the people on certain alien visas, which include, but are not limited to, valid visas in the following categories: A-1, A-2, A-3, E-1, E-2, E-3, G-1,
G-2, G-3, G-4, G-5, H-1B, H-1C, H-4 (if spouse or child of H-1B or H-1C), I, K-1, K-2, K-3, K-4, L-1A, L-1B, L-2, NATO 1-7, N-8, N-9, O-1, O-3 (if spouse or child of O-1), and R-1, R-2, SIV, T-1, T-2, T-3, T-4, U-1, U-2, U-3, U-4, V-1, V-2, V-3

Education Code section 68075.6 grants an immediate nonresident tuition fee exemption to eligible Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders and refugee students who settled in California upon entering the United States. This exemption is granted for one year from the date the student settled in California upon entering the United States.

The exemption applies to the following: 

• Iraqi citizens or nationals (and their spouses and children) who were employed by or on behalf of the United States government in Iraq (but.L. No. 110-181, § 1244)
• Afghan and Iraqi translators (and their spouses and children) who worked directly with the United States Armed Forces (Pub.L. No. 109-163, § 1059)
• Afghanistan nationals who were employed by or on behalf of the U. S. government or in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan (Pub.L. No. 111-8, § 602)
• Refugee students admitted to the United Staes under Section 1157 of Title 8 of the United States Code

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Students with B, C, D, F, H2, H3, J, M, O, P, Q, TN, and TD Visas are precluded from establishing residency and cannot be classified as residents.

Note: Mexican Nationals who currently posses a valid B1/B2 visa and/or Mexican passport, must submit an international student application to the Southwestern College Admissions Office (International Student Advisor) prior to submitting a general college application.

Non-resident classification: Requires that a student pay the current California enrollment fees, plus the additional non-resident tuition.

California Resident classification: Entitles a student to pay the current California enrollment fees.

Please refer to the tuition fee schedule for current fees.

Active U.S. military personnel, U.S. military veterans, and their dependents may qualify for waivers of out-of-state tuition fees under certain conditions.

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Active military personnel regardless of the length of stay in California shall be classified as residents and are exempt from non-resident tuition.

Requirements: Verification of active status with military identification every term of re-enrollment.

Required form(s): None. Must present military ID to Admissions personnel.

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A student who is a natural or adopted child, stepchild or spouse of an active military member shall be given resident classification until he or she has resided in California the minimum time necessary to become a resident.

Requirements: Student must be a dependent for federal income tax purposes. Student must not have lived in California for more than one year since arriving or since attaining age 18, whichever came later.

Required form: Military Dependent Application for Waiver of Non-Resident Tuition (completed and sealed/stamped by authorized personnel at sponsor's command)

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A student who was a member of the Armed Forces of the United States discharged within the last three (3) years (or who is a dependent of such a veteran) is entitled to a waiver of non-resident tuition.

Requirements:

• Veterans must submit a copy of form DD-214 and Certificate of Eligibility issued by the Veterans Administration confirming the approved education benefits for the veteran student along with the waiver form.
• Dependents must submit a copy of Sponsor's DD-214 and Certificate of Eligibility along with the waiver form.
• Surviving Spouse or Children must submit DD-214 and Fry Scholarship documentation along with the waiver form.

Required form: AB13 VACA Veteran Dependent Waiver

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