A student who has been physically present in the state for more than one year immediately preceding the residence determination date (one year and one day), and has demonstrated an intent to make California a permanent home.

Reference: EC 68017, 68060, 68062; T5 54020, 54026

Generally, California residence is established by one of the following:

1. If the applicant is under the age of 18, the applicant's parent(s) must have had legal residence in California for a minimum of 12 consecutive months preceding the day before the first day of the semester or summer session.
2. If the applicant is 18 but not yet 19 years of age, the applicant and the applicant’s parent(s) or legal guardian must have residence in California for a minimum of 12 consecutive months preceding the day before the first day of the semester or summer session.
3. If the applicant is 19 years of age or older, the applicant must have had legal residence in California for a minimum of 12 consecutive months preceding the day before the first day of the semester.
4. Alien students holding visas which do not preclude them from establishing residency in California must have legal residence in California for a minimum of 12 consecutive months preceding the day before the first day of the semester.
5. Physical presence within California solely for educational purposes does not constitute the basis for establishing California residence regardless of length of that presence.

Residency Exemption—Nonresident Tuition Exemptions for Refugees, Special Immigrant Visa holders, and Others

In 2017, the California Legislature also enacted Assembly Bill 343, which establishes a new exemption from nonresident tuition for refugees with special immigrant visas (SIVs) who have fled Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria or other countries. Please contact the Residency Specialist at residency@coastline.edu for more information. Effective January 1, 2018, Education Code section 68075.6 grants an exemption to nonresident tuition for: (1) Iraqi citizens or nationals (and their spouses and children) who were employed by or on behalf of the United States Government in Iraq, and who meet certain criteria (Ed. Code, § 68075.6, subd. (b)(1); Public Law 110-181, § (1244); (2) translators (and their spouses and children) who worked directly with the United States Armed Forces, and who meet certain criteria (Ed. Code, § 68075.6; Public Law 109-163, § 1059); and (3) refugees (Ed. Code, § 68075.6, subd. (b)(1), 8 U.S.C. § 1157). These exemptions only apply to those who settled in California upon entering the United States. (Ed. Code, § 68075.6, subd. (b)(1).) Students who settled elsewhere in the United States, and then moved to California would not be eligible for this exemption and would be required to either establish residency or pay nonresident tuition. Under Education Code section 68122, T and U visa holders are also exempt from nonresident tuition by extension of Assembly Bill 33.

Assembly Bill 343 also states that the exemption for a student is only available for the maximum time it would take for the student to establish residency. (Ed. Code, § 68075.6, subd. (b)(1).) That time, and therefore any nonresident tuition exemption, will expire one year from the date the student settled in California upon entering the United States. (Ed. Code, § 68017.) Upon expiration of the nonresident tuition exemption, the student will either have established residency in California, or will have an intention to reside elsewhere, and be subject to nonresident tuition.

It is the responsibility of all students to maintain an accurate address on file with the Admissions and Records Office.