California Residency

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The laws of California provide that every student at the California State University must be classified as either a resident or nonresident for tuition purposes. Students have the ultimate burden of proving their residence classification. Below is a brief outline of general rules students must follow for claiming California Residency.

Residence Determination Dates

Fall Admissions - Must establish California residency by September 20th of the prior year to the applied term to qualify for resident tuition.

Spring Admissions - Must establish California residency by January 25th of the prior year to the applied term to qualify for resident tuition.

United States Citizens


If residency can not be determined from the initial application (the data or documents that are initially supplied) the applicant may be asked to follow this procedure. Do not follow this procedure unless instructed in your To Do List on My SJSU after you have applied.

  1. Fill out residency questionnaire.
  2. Provide one copy of at least four or more of the following documents:
    Valid CA driver's license (may also include expired date to show residency)
    Valid CA registered motor vehicle
    Active bank account showing date opened
    Voter's Registry
    CA state income tax return
    CA property title or,
    CA property lease agreement
    Permanent military address or home of record on military records

Permanent Residents, Refugees, and Asylees


All applicants in this status regardless of residency must provide the following:

  • Provide clear copies of green cards, or temporary stamp in passport

If residency can not be determined from the initial application (the data or documents that are initially supplied) the applicant may also be asked to follow this procedure. Do not follow this procedure unless instructed in your To Do List on My SJSU after you have applied.

  1. Fill out residency questionnaire
  2. Provide one copy of at least four or more of the following documents:
    Valid CA driver's license (may also include expired date to show residency)
    Valid CA registered motor vehicle
    Active bank account showing date opened
    CA state income tax return
    CA property title or,
    CA property lease agreement

Non-Citizens With the Legal Capacity to Claim Residency


The holders of the following visas are eligible to claim CA residency:

Applicants for permanent resident status (I-485), A-1, A-2, A-3, E-1, E-2. G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, G-5, H-1, H-4 (if dependent on H-1), I, K-1, K-2, L-1, L-2, N-1, N-2, O-1, O-3 (if dependant on O-1), R, V-1, NATO-1 through NATO-7 and NATO dependents.

All applicants in this status regardless of residency must provide the following:

  • Provide clear copies of visa in passport.
    H4 need to provide H1b and O-3 need to provide O-1 visa.

If residency can not be determined from the initial application (the data or documents that are initially supplied) the applicant may also be asked to follow this procedure. Do not follow this procedure unless instructed in your To Do List on My SJSU after you have applied.

  1. Fill out residency questionnaire
  2. Provide a copy of at least four or more of the following documents:
    Valid CA driver's license (may also include expired date to show residency)
    Valid CA registered motor vehicle
    Active bank account showing date opened
    CA state income tax return
    CA property title or,
    CA property lease agreement

International Students (F1 or J1 Visa Holders)


International students are not eligible for California residency and will be charged non-resident tuition.