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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)The
law governing residence for tuition purposes at the California State University
is California Education Code sections 68000-68090, 68120-68134, and
89705-89707.5, and California Code of Regulations, Title 5, sections
41900-41916. This material can be viewed on the Internet by accessing the
California State University’s website at www.calstate.edu/GC/resources.shtml.
Residency
status may be re-determined after any absence from the
university. Students
incorrectly classified as residents or incorrectly granted an exception from
nonresident tuition are subject to reclassification as nonresidents and payment
of nonresident tuition in arrears. If incorrect classification results from
false or concealed facts, the student is subject to discipline pursuant to
Section 41301 of Title 5 of the California Code of
Regulations. Not
all circumstances can be addressed in this brief summary. If you wish to discuss
your particular situation, contact the Residency Specialist at the university
you plan to attend. Why are non-residents
at California’s educational institutions charged higher tuition than resident
students?
California
institutions of higher education are funded by the State of California. Since
non-resident students (and their families) generally have not contributed to the
source of this funding of public education in California, they are required to
pay fees which more closely represent the actual cost of their
education. You
should establish residency to take advantage of lower registration fees at
California public colleges and universities. California residents pay significantly
lower registration fees than non-residents at California's public colleges and
universities. How
long does it take to establish residency? What are the
determination dates for the CSU system (including SJSU)?
You
are eligible for resident status only if you have established and maintained
permanent residential ties in California at least one year prior to the
following determination dates: Fall
- September 20th Spring - January 25th Summer - June 1st How
do I qualify for California resident status? How is intent to
remain in CA evaluated?
To
be eligible for resident status for tuition purposes, you must, for at least one
year prior to the residence determination date, maintain physical presence in
California and establish your intent to make California your permanent home.
Evidence of intent to remain in California indefinitely can vary based on
individual circumstance, but should include items listed below as well as the
absence of residential ties to your former state. Keep in mind that physical presence in
California for the specific intention of academic study does not constitute
intent to make California your permanent home. · California
driver's license · California
identification card · California
voter registration · California
automobile registration · California
state income tax obligations on total income · Immigration
status with legal capacity to establish California residency
· Active,
continuous savings and/or checking accounts in a California bank (Please note
that information regarding financial independence is not required from
applicants for admission, but is required from current students seeking
residence reclassification.) · Ownership
of residential property or continuous occupancy or leasing of an apartment where
your personal belongings are kept · Maintaining
a permanent military address and home of record in California
· Military
leave and earnings statements showing California as legal residence
· Financial
independence from parents for the current year and for three years prior to the
current year (Please note that information regarding financial independence is
not required from applicants for admission, but is required from current
students seeking residence reclassification.) Note:
Any
act considered inconsistent with becoming a California resident (such as being
registered and/or voting, securing or maintaining a driver’s license or
automobile registration in another state or filing taxes as a resident in
another state) will result in a non-resident decision. No.
California State University policy states that the residence of applicants who
are under age 19 is based on the residence of the parents or guardians. If you
will be under age 19 at the time of the residence determination date, be sure to
indicate the identity and residence of your parent or guardian on the CSU
admission application and any residency questionnaire or residency
reclassification form. No. There will not be any impact. If you are
under the age of 19, your residency is based on your parent’s information. If
you are over the age of 19, then residency is determined only by what steps you
take to establish and maintain your residency. No. A
non citizen with a visa that prohibits establishing a domicile in California
during any portion of the durational period may not be granted resident status
(example: F1 status). Other non citizens may qualify for resident status by
meeting all requirements for residency outlined previously. To
establish residency a student must be either a U.S. citizen, Permanent Resident,
Applicant for Permanent Resident (I-485 Notice of Action), Refugee, Asylee, Applicants for Temporary Protected
Status, Temporary Protected Status, United States Nationals (citizens of
American Samoa, Guam, Puero Rico, Northern Mariana Islands and United State
Virgin Islands, and those holding the following visa A, E, G, H-1, H-1B, H-4
(only if dependent on a H-1 or H-1B), I, K, L, N, O-1, O-3 (only if dependent on
a O-1), R, S, T, U, V. The
Admissions Office/Graduate Admission at SJSU will determine each student’s
residency status when the completed application for admission is received and
processed. The decision is based on the information contained in the application
for admission, transcripts, and other documents required for admission. The
residency status determined at this time remains in effect until the student
submits the “Residence Questionnaire”. Use this form only if it is your first semester and you feel that you
were incorrectly classified as a non-resident. Submitting the Residence Questionnaire
at the time of application for admission will assist the office with making a
residency decision. Failure
to submit the form may result in an incorrect decision. A
non-resident student who feels he or she has satisfied the residency
requirements may complete
the “Residence Reclassification Request Form”. Only submit this form if you have paid
non-resident fees as a matriculated student for at least one semester. A
change in residency classification is never automatic. It is always the
student’s responsibility to initiate the petition. Be sure to include copies of
documents that support your claim for residency. 1. Submit
the Residence Reclassification Request form with supporting documents by the
following priority processing deadlines: May 1st for Fall semesters October 1st for Spring semesters 2. If
you submit the request form after the deadline, keep in mind that it may take
longer to process your request and that you will be responsible for all
non-resident tuition until reclassification is evaluated and approved. Refunds will be made according to
university policy. Requests for residence reclassification for a previous
semester will be considered on a case by case
basis. 3. Be
sure to include copies of supporting documents that are listed in the section
“How do I qualify for California resident status? How is intent to remain in CA
evaluated?” 4. If additional documentation is needed before a final decision can be made, your residency form will be mailed back to you with a letter detailing additional information required. If clarification is needed to responses on the reclassification form or if the form is incomplete, it will be mailed back to you. If
you are submitting a Residence Questionnaire, submit it directly to the
Admissions Office (window A) or to the Office of Graduate Admissions (Graduate
Studies Counter) in the Student Services Center. You
may also mail documentation to: Office
of Admission or Office of Graduate Admission One
Washington Square One Washington Square San
Jose, CA 95192-0016 San Jose, CA 95192-0025 If
you are submitting a Residence Reclassification Request Form, submit it directly
to the Office of the Registrar (window R), also located in the Student Services
Center. You may also mail
documentation to: Office
of the Registrar Attn: Residency
Specialist One
Washington Square San
Jose, CA 95192-0009 Typically, decision letters for all Reclassification Requests are mailed out approximately 2-3 weeks after submission of forms. At peak times, (January, February, August, September, November and December), and two weeks prior to a tuition bill due date, please allow approximately 4-6 weeks for processing. A decision for first time students will be made by the Office of Admissions or Graduate Admissions Offices at the time that you have applied for admission. Be sure to check your To Do Checklist to see if any other residency related information is also needed from you before your application for admission can be completed. Follow up with the Admission or Graduate Admission Office directly if you have further questions regarding your residency and if it is your first term at SJSU. Students
classified as non-residents may appeal a final campus decision within 120 days
of written notification by the campus. A campus residence classification appeal
must be in writing and submitted to the address listed
below. The
California State University
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