About Residence for Tuition Purposes

Learn about how the University of California establishes residence for tuition purposes. 

Residency Guidelines for Purposes of Tuition and Fees

• Office of General Counsel - Residency Guidelines: Student Information
• UC Residence Policy

The law governing the establishment of California residence for tuition purposes is contained in the Standing Orders of The Regents of the University of California.

Changes may be made in the residence requirements between the date this statement is published and the relevant determination date.

Read all the information contained in the menu before making any assumptions about residence for tuition purposes. UC regulations for California residence for purposes of tuition and fees are exactly the same for all UC campuses.

Prospective and admitted students

If you are not sure you qualify as a California resident, read Criteria to Establish Residence for Tuition Purposes.

UCSD continuing nonresident students

If you plan to be a resident in the future, read about How to Change Your Nonresident Status to Resident.

Nonresident Supplemental Tuition fees for nonresident students

Students who are not considered California residents must pay out-of-state tuition as well as UC and campus fees. See Registration Fees.

Incorrect classification

If you were incorrectly classified as a resident, you are subject to a nonresident classification and must pay all unpaid nonresident tuition fees. If you concealed information or furnished false information and were classified incorrectly as a result, you are also subject to University discipline. Resident students who become nonresidents must immediately notify the residence deputy.

Inquiries and appeals

Direct inquiries regarding residence requirements, determinations, and/ or recognized exceptions to:

residencedeputy@ucsd.edu 

The student is responsible for submitting all relevant information, requested documentation, written explanations, and clarifications to support an in-state residency request by the deadline.

All relevant information, requested documentation, written explanations, and clarifications that you do not make available prior to deadline will not be considered or reviewed by the Residence Specialist if you chose to appeal the final determination.

Any student, following a final decision on residence classification by the residence deputy, may appeal in writing to the Residence Specialist within 30 calendar days of notification of the residence deputy's decision.

Additional information is available from the Office of the Registrar (map). Note that changes may be made in the residence requirements between the publication of this statement and the relevant residence determination date.

No other University personnel are authorized to supply information relative to residence requirements for tuition.