Exemptions and Waivers from Nonresident Tuition

• Member of the U.S. Armed Forces Stationed in California on Active Duty*
  • An undergraduate student is entitled to a resident classification for as long as the student maintains the eligibility requirements.
  • A graduate or professional student will be eligible for a resident classification for two years, by which time he or she must fulfill the UC residence requirements in order to maintain his or her residence status.
  • Students assigned for educational purposes to a state-supported institution of higher education are not eligible for this provision. You must provide the residence deputy on campus with a statement from your commanding officer or personnel officer stating that your assignment to active duty in California is not for educational purposes. The letter must include the dates of your assignment to the state.
• Former Member of the U.S. Armed Forces Stationed in California on Active Duty*
  • An undergraduate or graduate student who is a former member of the Armed Forces of the United States stationed in California who was on active duty for more than one year immediately prior to being discharged from the Armed Forces may be eligible for a resident classification for the length of time he or she lives in this state after being discharged up to the minimum time necessary to become a resident (366 days).
• Dependent of Member of the U.S. Armed Forces Stationed in California on Active Duty*
  • An undergraduate student who is the spouse, registered domestic partner, or dependent child of a member of the military is entitled to a resident classification for as long as the student maintains the eligibility requirements.
  • A graduate or professional student who is the spouse, registered domestic partner, or dependent child of a member of the military will be eligible for a resident classification for one year, by which time he or she must fulfill the UC residence regulations in order to maintain his or her resident status.

Those who may qualify for an exemption from nonresident tuition and fees* (based on federal law: The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008):  An undergraduate or graduate student who is a member of the Armed Forces of the United States on active duty for a period of more than 30 days and whose domicile or permanent duty station is in California, or the spouse, registered domestic partner, or dependent child of such member of the Armed Forces, is entitled to an exemption from nonresident tuition. Student must be continuously enrolled at the University, notwithstanding a subsequent change in the permanent duty station to a location outside of California.

* As of the residence determination date for the term.

To the extent funds are available, if you are an unmarried dependent child under age 21, spouse, or registered domestic partner of a member of the University faculty who is a member of the Academic Senate, you may be eligible for a waiver of the nonresident tuition fee. Confirmation of the faculty member's membership on the Academic Senate must be secured each term this waiver is granted.

You may be entitled to resident classification if you are a full-time University employee, or the unmarried dependent child, spouse, or registered domestic partner of a full-time University employee who is assigned to work outside of California (e.g., Los Alamos National Laboratory, UC Center in Washington, D.C.). A review will be conducted each term to verify continuation of the applicable status.

You may be entitled to a waiver of the nonresident tuition fee if you are the child, spouse, or registered domestic partner of a deceased public law enforcement or fire suppression employee who was a California resident at the time of his or her death and who was killed in the course of fire suppression or law enforcement duties.

A student who has not been an adult resident of California for more than one year, and who is the dependent child of a California resident who has been a resident for more than one year immediately prior to the residence determination date, may be entitled to a waiver of the nonresident tuition until the student has lived in California for the minimum time necessary to become a resident so long as continuous attendance is maintained at an institution. (See also Residence Rules for Minors/ Guardians.)

If you are a graduate of a California high school operated by the Federal Bureau of Indian Affairs, you may be eligible for an exemption from the nonresident fee.

Any person holding a valid credential authorizing service in the public schools of the state of California who is employed by a school district in a full-time certificate position may be eligible for a nonresident tuition waiver.

Any amateur student athlete in training at the United States Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista may be eligible for a waiver of nonresident tuition until he or she has lived in the state the minimum time necessary to become a resident.

A student who attended high school in California for three or more years (ninth grade included) and graduated from a California high school (or attained the equivalent) may be exempt from nonresident tuition. See Resources for Undocumented Students and eligibility requirements and details.

AB540 Affidavit (PDF) 

A student who was a dependent of a California resident who was killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon Building, or the crash of United Airlines Flight 93 may be eligible. (Eligible students must meet the financial need requirements for the Cal Grant A program.)

Any undergraduate student who is a recipient of a Congressional Medal of Honor or who is the child of a recipient may be eligible. The recipient must be a California resident and the student may not be older than 27, and must have an annual income that does not exceed the national poverty level. If the medal recipient was a parent who died, the parent must have been a California resident at the time of his or her death.