Costs + Financial Aid - Fees + Tuition
Your education costs fall into two categories: registration tuition fees (for instruction and university services) and living costs: housing, food, transportation, personal expenses. The latter costs are the kind you would incur whether or not you went to college.
On This Page . . .
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- Registration Tuition Fees
- Nonresident Student Tuition Fees
- Frequently asked Questions About Establishing Residency
- Frequently Asked Questions about Exemptions from Nonresident Tuition
- CSU Net Price & Cost Calculator
Registration Tuition Fees
Registration tuition fees vary. They depend on whether you are a legal resident of California, how many units you are taking, and whether you are an undergraduate, graduate, or credential student. Students may be eligible to use one of the University's installment plans available through the Bursar's Office. More information and a copy of the installment plan contract are included in each semester's Class Schedule.
Undergraduate Tuition Fees per Semester for California Residents (Spring 2013)
For information on Spring 2013 fees for California resident Undergraduate students, please visit the Bursar's Office website at:
http://www.sfsu.edu/~bursar/spring2013/fees/undergrad_fees.html
Graduate Tuition Fees per Semester for California Residents (Spring 2013)
For information on Spring 2013 fees for California resident Graduate students, please visit the Bursar's Office website at:
http://www.sfsu.edu/~bursar/spring2013/fees/grad_fees.html
Credential Tuition Fees per Semester for California Residents (Spring 2013)
For information on the Spring 2013 schedule of fees for California resident Credential students, please visit the Bursar's Office website at:
http://www.sfsu.edu/~bursar/spring2013/fees/cred_fees.html
The CSU makes every effort to keep student costs to a minimum. Tuition fees listed in published schedules or student accounts may need to be increased when public funding is inadequate. Therefore, CSU must reserve the right, even after initial tuition fee payments are made, to increase or modify any listed tuition fees, without notice, until the date when instruction for a particular semester or quarter has begun. All CSU listed tuition fees should be regarded as estimates that are subject to change upon approval by The Board of Trustees and/or the Campus.
Nonresident Student Tuition Fees
In addition to the tuition fees in the applicable charts above, out-of-state and international students must pay non-resident tuition fees of $372 per unit or fractional unit.
For information on Spring 2013 fees for Non-Resident and International students, please visit the Bursar's Office website at:
http://www.sfsu.edu/~bursar/spring2013/fees/nonres_fees.html
Certain nonresident students who have attended high school in California for a minimum of three years and have graduated from a California high school (or attained the equivalent High School Equivalency Certificate issued by the California Department of Education) may be exempt from tuition fees. For requirements and forms see the Nonresident Tuition Fees Exemption web page or visit the One Stop Student Services Center in the Student Services Building.
Frequently asked Questions About Establishing Residency
Why should I establish residency?
You should establish residency to take advantage of lower registration tuition fees at California public colleges and universities for California residents. In many cases, you will reduce your education costs substantially.
How long does it take to establish residency?
You are eligible for resident status only if you have established and maintained permanent residence in California at least one year prior to the following residence determination dates:
- Spring semester: Jan. 25
- Summer semester: June 1
- Fall semester: Sept. 20
If I am under age 19, can I establish residency on my own?
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.
If I am a nonresident, how do I qualify for California resident status?
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. If you are not a citizen of the United States, you must also maintain, for one year prior to the residence determination date, an immigration status that allows you to establish California residency. The following will be considered when your resident status is reviewed:
- California driver's license
- California voter registration
- California automobile registration
- California state income tax obligations on total income
- Ownership of residential property or continuous occupancy or leasing of an apartment where your personal belongings are kept
- Active, continuous savings and/or checking accounts in a California bank since the prior year
- Immigration status with legal capacity to establish California residency
- 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.)
What is an eligible citizenship, visa, or immigration status?
To establish residency a student must be either a U.S. citizen, a legal immigrant (alien registration card holder), or hold a visa A, E, G, H-1, H-1B, H-4 (if dependent on a H-1 or H-1B), I, K, L, N, O-1, O-3 (if dependent on a O-1), R, S, T, U, V.
If it is determined that I'm a nonresident, can I ask for another review?
Yes, as soon as you are eligible. If you are an applicant for admission, you should submit a Residency Questionnaire. If you are a current student, you should submit a Residence Reclassification Request Form. Submit the form and any supporting documents to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
When can I ask for another review?
You may request reclassification after:
- Sept. 15 for spring semester
- Feb. 1 for summer semester
- March 1 for fall semester
How long does a review take?
It normally takes 15 working days for the review to be complete after you have submitted all required documents.
Frequently Asked Questions about Exemptions from Nonresident Tuition Fees
What is AB 540?
On October 11, 2001, Governor Gray Davis signed Assembly Bill 540 (now Education Code Section 68130.5) creating a new exemption from nonresident tuition fees for any student who meets ALL of the following criteria:
- attended high school in California for 3 or more years;
- graduated from a California high school or attained the equivalent;
- is registered at or is attending an accredited institution of higher education in California not earlier than Fall 2001; and
- be a U.S. Citizen or have lawful immigration status or a student without lawful immigration status filing an affidavit with the campusstating that he or she has applied to legalize immigration status-or will do so as soon as he or she is eligible.
When did the law take effect?
January 2, 2002
What are the procedures for requesting the exemption from nonresident tuition fees?
Download the AB 540 Affidavit. Please see instructions on form.
How do students request a refund if they have already paid nonresident tuition fees and then become eligible for an exemption?
Students may complete and submit the refund request form, or go to the Bursar's Office, either at the One Stop Student Services Center (in the Student Services building) or in the Administration building. The refund will be processed and mailed to the student's home address approximately three weeks from the date of application.
Do students need to file a new affidavit each semester they enroll?
No. Students providing an affidavit are not required to submit a new affidavit for any future term of continuous enrollment after the original affidavit is submitted. A break in continuous enrollment will require completion of a new affidavit.
Are U.S. citizens who are current residents of other states but meet all the criteria eligible?
Yes
Does the exemption apply to students holding valid non-immigrant (temporary) visas (such as F, J, H, L or other temporary visa)?
No.
Are students covered under this exemption eligible to receive State University Grants (SUG)?
No. Students exempted from paying nonresident tuition fees do not become residents for eligibility purposes for any state-funded program.
Are students who are covered under this exemption eligible to receive other financial aid?
Students who are covered under this exemption are not eligible for any state financial aid. Requirements for federal financial aid are determined by federal regulations. Citizenship criteria for specific stipends, internships, or scholarships are determined by the agency handling the application and selection process.
Are students who are covered under this exemption eligible to receive a waiver of the application fee based on qualifying financial status?
No.
Are students who are covered under this exemption eligible to participate in the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP)?
No. Students are exempted from paying nonresident tuition fees, but do not become residents for eligibility purposes for any state-funded program, such as EOP.
What happens if the certification provided by a student is later determined to be false?
The student will be liable for the repayment of the difference between resident and nonresident tuition fees that would have been applicable for all terms of attendance. The student may also be subject to disciplinary proceedings.
What happens to the information obtained in the implementation of this law?
The law requires that all information obtained in the implementation remain a confidential portion of the students' permanent record. For audit purposes, the original documents must be maintained for at least five years.
Will my California residency change if I am approved for this waiver?
No. A non-resident student eligible for the AB540 non-resident tuition fees exemption does not change residency status. The student remains a non-resident until such time that the student is legally able to establish California residency. The student then must complete the Residency Change form and provide appropriate documentation for the change.
CSU Net Price & Cost Calculator
CSU Net Price & Cost Calculator is designed to allow high school and college students (freshman through senior) to estimate student financial aid eligibility information.
Go to: http://www.csumentor.edu/FinAid/pais/ to use and read more information about the CSU Net Price & Cost Calculator.
