Residency Cheat Sheet printable pdf download

Residency Cheat Sheet

10 things graduate students need to know about California residence for purposes of tuition and fees.

Upon admittance to the University of California,

The University of California Regulations for

you must first complete a Statement of Intent

Residency Purposes of Tuition and Fees differ from

to Register. However, your resident or nonresident

those of other California public post-secondary

classification is determined for purposes of tuition and fees

institutions. They also differ from Admissions and Financial

only after you have completed and submitted a Statement of

Aid regulations.

Legal Residence to the campus Residence Deputy.

The term “California resident for purposes of

tuition and fees” comes from the University’s resi-

You do not become a resident for purposes of

dence regulations and differs from other definitions

tuition and fees simply by living in California for 366

of California residence. For example, a person who is a Cali-

days or more, even if you are in a Master’s or PhD

fornia resident for tax or voting purposes will not necessarily

program. The length of time you attend UC Berkeley or

be a resident for purposes of tuition and fees. Admissions and

live in California is not the sole determining factor of

Financial Aid definitions of resident also differ. They do not

residence.

confer residence for purposes of tuition and fees.

Graduate students over the age of 24 by Dec.

31 of the year resident classification is sought are

In order to establish residence in California for

presumed to be financially independent. Graduate

purposes of tuition and fees, you must have the

students under the age of 24 whose parents qualify as Califor-

legal ability to establish a permanent domicile

nia residents under UC residence regulations do not have to

in the United States, meaning you must be a citizen or per-

verify that they are financially independent. Graduate students

manent resident of the United States or hold a valid, qualify-

whose parents are not CA residents must demonstrate that

ing nonimmigrant visa.

they were not claimed as dependents for the most recent

two calendar years prior to the term for which a resident

classification is sought. Graduate students who are graduate

student instructors, teaching or research assistants, or teach-

It is your burden to prove, by clear and

ing associates employed at 49% time or more (or awarded

convincing evidence, that you have satisfied

the equivalent in University-administered funds, e.g. grants,

all applicable UC residence requirements.

stipends, fellowships) in the term for which resident classifi-

Financial hardship cannot be considered in evaluating

cation is sought may be exempt from the financial indepen-

whether you are able to qualify for California residence for

dence requirement.

purposes of tuition and fees.

The UC residence regulations require that you

prove all of the following:

You normally cannot establish California

1) at least 366 days of physical presence in California,

residence for purposes of tuition and fees while

2) concurrent intent to permanently remain in the state

maintaining legal ties to another state or country

3) financial independence.

(e.g. state tax liability, driver’s license, voter’s or vehicle reg-

istration). Further, if you have moved to California primarily

to attend UC Berkeley, you are here for educational purposes

This is only a summary of the main UC reg-

and are not eligible for a resident classification for purposes

ulations for California residence for purposes

of tuition and fees.

of tuition and fees. Please access the UC

Residency Policy for details (ucop.edu/residency) or

contact the Residence Affairs Unit at UC Berkeley.

Residency Cheat Sheet

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