How to Apply for a Change of Classification

Dependent Undergraduate Residency Requirements

Please be sure to review the residency requirements for Dependent Undergraduates thoroughly to ensure that you meet all  requirements before submitting your application.

As a reminder, to receive a Resident Classification for purposes of UC tuition, the Student and Parent(s)* must:

• be in an eligible immigration status for at least one-year immediately prior to the Residence Determination Date
• establish a primary and permanent Domicile in California and fulfill the physical presence requirement for at least one year immediately prior to the Residence Determination Date
• fulfill the intent requirements by the relevant deadlines

*All Undergraduate Students under the age of 24 are presumed to be Dependent Students, which requires that both Students and Parents must satisfy all applicable Residency Requirements. Please note that in two-parent households, both parents and the Student must fulfil the residency requirements.

Prepare Your Materials and Submit 

Please follow the steps below carefully to ensure that you provide a completed packet.

1. Complete your Petition

2. Compile your Supporting Documents

1. California Driver's License or a California ID card. The DMV has very specific rules; see their information for persons new to California. Operating a vehicle in California that is not owned by you still requires you to obtain a California driver's license and proof of California car insurance.
2. Voter registration card or affidavit from Registrar of Voters. Contact Registrar of Voters at (800) 696-0136, or check status and apply online at the County of San Diego's website.
3. Bank/Credit/Debit Card statements with a California address for the past 12 months demonstrating ALL consistent itemized transactions in the state of California
4. California car registration and car insurance card. The DMV has very specific rules; see their information for persons new to California. Operating a vehicle in California that  is not owned by you still requires you to obtain a California driver's license and proof of California car insurance.
5. All pages of federal and California state tax documents for the most recent tax year OR W2’s/earning statements only if you have not filed taxes yet. Your residency will be questioned if, during the period you are claiming to be a California resident, you file a full-year resident tax return in another state or file a full-year nonresident California state tax return. If you filed a California Part-Year Resident return (Form 540NR), be sure to include your Schedule CA page (540NR).  Black out all social security numbers on all tax documents. If you did not keep copies, call Franchise Tax Board for copies of state tax return and the IRS for your federal tax return at least 90 days before you submit your packet.
6. Copies of all your housing contracts, monthly rental agreements, lease or proof of property ownership for the past year, or verification in writing from property owner of housing agreement.
7. Proof of physical move to CA such as airline tickets, moving receipts, bill of lading, etc. (if applicable)
8. Non-US citizens must provide proof of eligible USCIS status in the US (permanent resident card, I-94 record for the past year, I-821D DACA approval notice, etc.).

3. Submit your Petition and Documentation

Submit your petition via the link located at the bottom of this webpage. Please note that the link will become active at 8:00 am and the opening date of the filing period and will become inactive at 4:30 pm on the closing date of the filing period.

Graduate Student Residency Requirements

Please be sure to review the residency requirements for Graduate Students thoroughly to ensure that you meet all  requirements before submitting your application.

As a reminder, to receive a Resident Classification for purposes of UC tuition, the Student must:

• be in an eligible immigration status for at least one-year immediately prior to the Residence Determination Date
• establish a primary and permanent Domicile in California and fulfill the physical presence requirement for at least one year immediately prior to the Residence Determination Date
• fulfill the intent requirements by the relevant deadlines

Graduate Students are considered as Independent regardless as to age and will be evaluated without regard to Parents or source of financial support. 

Prepare Your Materials and Submit 

Please follow the steps below carefully to ensure that you provide a completed packet.

1. Complete your Petition

2. Compile your Supporting Documents

1. California Driver's License or a California ID card. The DMV has very specific rules; see their information for persons new to California. Operating a vehicle in California that is not owned by you still requires you to obtain a California driver's license and proof of California car insurance.
2. Voter registration card or affidavit from Registrar of Voters. Contact Registrar of Voters at (800) 696-0136, or check status and apply online at the County of San Diego's website.
3. Bank/Credit/Debit Card statements with a California address for the past 12 months demonstrating ALL consistent itemized transactions in the state of California
4. California car registration and car insurance card. The DMV has very specific rules; see their information for persons new to California. Operating a vehicle in California that  is not owned by you still requires you to obtain a California driver's license and proof of California car insurance.
5. All pages of federal and California state tax documents for the most recent tax year OR W2’s/earning statements only if you have not filed taxes yet. Your residency will be questioned if, during the period you are claiming to be a California resident, you file a full-year resident tax return in another state or file a full-year nonresident California state tax return. If you filed a California Part-Year Resident return (Form 540NR), be sure to include your Schedule CA page (540NR).  Black out all social security numbers on all tax documents. If you did not keep copies, call Franchise Tax Board for copies of state tax return and the IRS for your federal tax return at least 90 days before you submit your packet.
6. Copies of all your housing contracts, monthly rental agreements, lease or proof of property ownership for the past year, or verification in writing from property owner of housing agreement.
7. Proof of physical move to CA such as airline tickets, moving receipts, bill of lading, etc. 
8. Non-US citizens must provide proof of eligible USCIS status in the US (permanent resident card, I-94 record for the past year, I-821D DACA approval notice, etc.).
9. If you were on an out-of-state research appointment during the summer prior to petitioning for a Change of Classification, please provide a letter from your department endorsing your absence.

_{Summer actions count! A student's actions during the entire year, including the summer, affect the determination made regarding residence status for tuition purposes. A student who is in California solely for educational purposes is not eligible for California residence for tuition purposes regardless of the length of his or her stay.}

_{A student seeking to establish California residence who accepts employment or conducts research outside of California will be questioned regarding his or her attempts to find employment and/ or conduct research within California. Leaving the state for a unique research opportunity or for special circumstances (such as a medical emergency) may not preclude the student from being classified as a resident, but the burden will be on the student to provide convincing evidence that leaving the state was not inconsistent with his or her claim of permanent residence.}

3. Submit your Petition and Documentation

Submit your petition via the link located at the bottom of this webpage. Please note that the link will become active at 8:00 am on the opening date of the filing period and will become inactive at 4:30 pm on the closing date of the filing period.

Financially Independent Undergraduate Residency Requirements

Please be sure to review the UC Residency Policy Financial Independence provision thoroughly to ensure that you meet all requirements before submitting your application.

As a reminder, to receive a Resident Classification for purposes of UC tuition, the Student must:

• be in an eligible immigration status for at least one-year immediately prior to the Residence Determination Date
• establish a primary and permanent Domicile in California and fulfill the physical presence requirement for at least one year immediately prior to the Residence Determination Date
• fulfill the intent requirements by the relevant deadlines

In addition to the fulfillment of physical presence and intent, a Dependent Student who wishes to qualify as an Independent Student on the basis of financial independence must demonstrate the Student has been fully self-supporting beginning at least one-year prior to the applicable Residence Determination Date and continuing. 

Prepare Your Materials and Submit 

Please follow the steps below carefully to ensure that you provide a completed packet.

1. Complete your Petition

2. Compile your Supporting Documents

1. California Driver's License or a California ID card. The DMV has very specific rules; see their information for persons new to California. Operating a vehicle in California that is not owned by you still requires you to obtain a California driver's license and proof of California car insurance.
2. Voter registration card or affidavit from Registrar of Voters. Contact Registrar of Voters at (800) 696-0136, or check status and apply online at the County of San Diego's website.
3. Bank/Credit/Debit Card statements with a California address for the past 12 months showing ALL consistent itemized transactions in the state of California
4. California car registration and car insurance card. The DMV has very specific rules; see their information for persons new to California. Operating a vehicle in California that  is not owned by you still requires you to obtain a California driver's license and proof of California car insurance.
5. All pages of federal and California state tax documents for the most recent tax year OR W2’s/earning statements only if you have not filed taxes yet. Your residency will be questioned if, during the period you are claiming to be a California resident, you file a full-year resident tax return in another state or file a full-year nonresident California state tax return. If you filed a California Part-Year Resident return (Form 540NR), be sure to include your Schedule CA page (540NR).  Black out all social security numbers on all tax documents. If you did not keep copies, call Franchise Tax Board for copies of state tax return and the IRS for your federal tax return at least 90 days before you submit your packet.
6. Copies of all your housing contracts, monthly rental agreements, lease or proof of property ownership for the past year, or verification in writing from property owner of housing agreement.
7. Proof of physical move to CA such as airline tickets, moving receipts, bill of lading, etc. (if applicable)
8. Parent federal and state tax documents for the most recent tax year.
9. Non-US citizens must provide proof of eligible USCIS status in the US (permanent resident card, I-94 record for the past year, I-821D DACA approval notice, etc.).
10. Budget Worksheet (PDF). You must submit documentation of all sources of income reported on your worksheet (e.g. financial documentation for loans, trusts accounts, college accounts, etc.).

3. Submit your Petition and Documentation

Submit your petition via the link located at the bottom of this webpage. Please note that the link will become active at 8:00 am on the opening date of the filing period and will become inactive at 4:30 pm on the closing date of the filing period.