Residency Information
Residence classification shall be determined for each student at the time of admission; at the time a student re-enrolls after having not been in attendance for more than one semester; and, for Dual Enrollment students, prior to each term. Students will be notified of residence determination within 14 calendar days of submission of application.
Students may file residency questionnaire for reclassification through the second week of the semester. Final residency determination is made by the Admissions & Registration Office.
All students are assessed an enrollment fee at the time of registration and an additional nonresident tuition is assessed to nonresident students. The enrollment fee and nonresident fee is charged per credit, per semester/session.
Definition of Residency Classifications:
A resident is any person who has been a bona fide (true) resident of California for at least one year on the residence determination date.
A student who has not resided in the state for more than one year immediately preceding the residence determination date is a nonresident.
An international student is a citizen of a foreign country, or a resident of a foreign country, or both. An international student is eligible for a non-immigrant F-1 Visa by completing the International Student Admission process. International students are required to pay nonresident tuition in addition to the enrollment fees.
Residence Determination Date
The residence determination date is that day immediately preceding the opening day of instruction for any session during which the student plans to attend.
| TERM | RESIDENCE DETERMINATION DATE | RECLASSIFICATION DEADLINE |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | August 11, 2023 | December 13, 2024 |
| Spring 2025 | January 20, 2024 | May 23, 2025 |
| Summer 2025 | June 8, 2024 | July 18, 2025 |
| Fall 2025 | August 10, 2024 | December 12, 2025 |
Determination of Resident Status
A bona fide (true) resident is a person whose residence is in California as determined above with exceptions as specified in Administrative Procedure 5015.
Reclassification to California Resident
A student may request residence reclassification if capable of establishing residence in California with objective evidence that physical presence is met as of the Residence Determination Date with intent to make California their home for other than a temporary purpose. Submit a Statement of Legal Residence, with supporting documentation, on or prior to the Residence Reclassification Deadline for the term residency reclassification is requested.
Supporting documentation dated prior to Residence Determination date for term applying for residency :
- Ownership of residential property or continuous occupancy of rented or leased property in California. (Example: Rental or lease agreement.)
- Registering to vote, and voting in California. (Example: Voter’s registration.)
- License from California for professional practice.
- Active resident membership in service or social clubs. (Example: California Lions, or Rotary club member.)
- Showing California as home address on federal income tax forms. (Example: W-2, 540, 1040)
- Payment of California state income tax as a resident.
- Establishing and maintaining active California bank accounts. (Example: Bank Statements)
- Possessing California motor vehicle license plates. Payment of a vehicle license fee is not required of nonresident military personnel. (An exemption may be filed.)
- Possessing California driver's license or a California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) ID card.
- Being the petitioner for a divorce in California. (Example: Divorce petition.)
Documents and information obtained are confidential.
Right to Appeal
Students who have been classified as nonresidents have the right to a review of their classification. Any student, following a final decision of residence classification by the Admissions & Registration Office may make a written appeal to the Director of Admissions and Registration within 30 calendar days of notification of final decision by the college regarding classification under Administrative Procedure 5015.
Form: California Nonresident Tuition Exemption
To be eligible, a student (other than a nonimmigrant alien) is exempt from paying
nonresident tuition at Cuesta College if the student meets four requirements. View Policy Requirements
Form: Statement of Legal Residence
- Applicants under the age of 19, who have lived under the direct care and control of an adult, other than a parent for two years immediately preceding the resident determination date; and such adult has for the year immediately preceding the residence determination date, had California residence; OR
- Applicants who are dependent or ward of the State through California's child welfare system.
Members of the Armed Forces of the United States are eligible for in-state tuition or nonresident tuition exemption in accordance with California Education, Section 66074, 68075. et seq, and AB 81 (VACA Act). Armed Forces of the United States means Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, and the reserve components of each of these forces, the California Army National Guard, the Air National Guard, the California State Military Reserve, and the California Naval Militia.
Active members of the military, including dependent children and or spouse, who are present in California under military orders, except those assigned to California for educational purposes are exempt from nonresident tuition for the duration of their enrollment.
Select the link below for the status that applies to you:
Form: Statement of Legal Residence
Full-time credentialed employee of a California public school enrolling in college for purposes of fulfilling credential-related requirements
Form: Statement of Legal Residence
Full-time employee, or spouse, or dependent of a full-time employee of any of the following college/universities: California Community Colleges, California State University, University of California, or Maritime Academy.
Form: Statement of Legal Residence
Seasonal agricultural worker for at least a total of two months of each of the past two years.
Form: Statement of Legal Residence
Education Code section 68075.6 grants an immediate nonresident tuition fee exemption to eligible Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders and refugee students who settled in California upon entering the United States. This exemption is granted for one year from the date the student settled in California upon entering the United States.
- The exemption applies to the following:
Iraqi citizens or nationals (and their spouses and children) who were employed by or on behalf of the United States Government in Iraq (Pub.L. No. 110-181, §1244) - Afghan and Iraqi translators (and their spouses and children) who worked directly with the United States Armed Forces (Pub.L. No. 109-163, §1059)
- Afghanistan nationals who were employed by or on behalf of the U.S. government or in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan (Pub.L. No. 111-8, §602)
- Refugee students admitted to the United States under Section 1157 of Title 8 of the United States Code.
Falsification, withholding pertinent data, or failure to report changes in residency may result in District action.