AB 540 Nonresident Tuition Exemption

Under California law AB 540, certain non-resident students are exempt from paying out-of-state tuition (higher than resident tuition).

To qualify for in-state tuition under AB 540, students must meet the eligibility requirements for this program. It is important to note that AB 540 does not grant residency status; rather, it exempts/waives the students from paying non-resident tuition. The students will continue to be classified as a non-resident.

Who is eligible?

Any student (including U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and undocumented students, including students with a T or U visa, DACA, or TPS) may be eligible to be classified as AB 540 if certain conditions are met. These students must satisfy the attendance requirements and the graduation/transfer requirements/transfer from a California school (e.g., K-12, adult school, and community college).

Requirement 1 - Attendance Requirements

Three (3) or more years of full-time attendance or attainment of equivalent credit units earned in California from the following schools (or any combination thereof):

•         California high school
•         California adult school
•         California community college

OR

Three (3) or more years of California high school coursework and three years of total attendance at a California elementary school, or three years of full-time attendance at the California community college. 

AND

Requirement 2 - Graduation/Transfer Requirements

Meet one of the following:    

• Graduation from a California high school or attainment of the equivalent 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

Next Steps

•  Complete the CSU Residence Questionnaire.
•  Complete and submit the California Nonresident Tuition Exemption Request form, along with supporting documents to verify attendance (i.e., transcripts, proof of attendance) to the Office of Admissions by February 15 for new fall incoming students and by October 1 for new spring incoming students
  • Forms can be submitted in person at the lobby at the Enrollment Information Center located in the Student Services and Administration building, via email to ures@csuestbay.edu for domestic undergraduates or gradres@csueastbay.edu or via mail to CSUEB ATTN: Office of Admissions, 25800 Carlos Bee Blvd, Hayward, CA  94542

AB 540 status will not be official until final transcripts & affidavit are submitted and processed. Non-resident fees will be charged until AB 540 status is approved.