Nonresident Tuition Exemption San Francisco State University   Effective January 1, 2002, Assembly Bill (540) creates an exemption from payment of nonresident tuition for certain nonresident students who have attended a California high school for a minimum of three years and have graduated from high school(or attained the equivalent High School Equivalency Certificate issued by the California Department of Education). Complete information on eligibility requirements for the new nonresident tuition exemption is available on the web at www.sfsu.edu/~admisrec/forms/ugradforms/AB540_Affidavit.pdf and at the One Stop Student Center in the Student Services Building.   HOW TO APPLY: A STUDENT MUST COMPLETE THE CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENT AFFIDAVIT FOR EXEMPTION FROM NONRESIDENT TUITION available through the web at www.sfsu.edu/~admisrec/forms/ugradforms/AB540_Affidavit.pdf or at the One Stop Student Center in the Student Services Building. The completed Affidavit form can be submitted in person at the One Stop Student Center in the Student Services Building, or, can be mailed to the attention of the SFSU Undergraduate Admission Office (for undergraduates) or the SFSU Graduate Division Office (for graduate students).   HOW TO REQUEST A REFUND OF NONRESIDENT FEES ALREADY PAID Beginning with the spring 2002 semester, an eligible nonresident student who has already paid nonresident tuition may obtain a refund for nonresident fees paid. Students may complete and submit the refund request form which is available on the web at http://www.sfsu.edu/~bursar/MainIndex/Forms.htm, or at the Bursar's Office located in the One Stop Student Center (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.

Exemption from Nonresident Tuition (AB 540)
Frequently Asked Questions

1. 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 for any student who meets ALL of the following criteria:

	a) attended high school in California for 3 or more years;
	b) graduated from a California high school or attained the equivalent;
	c) is registered at, or attending an accredited institution of higher education in 
	   California not earlier than Fall 2001; and
	d) if a student without lawful immigration status files an affidavit with the campus 
	   stating that he or she has applied to legalize immigration status (using INS form 
	   I-130, Petition for Alien Relative) or will do so as soon as he or she is eligible.
        

2. When did the law take effect? January 2, 2002

3. What are the procedures for requesting the exemption from nonresident tuition? The procedures for requesting an exemption are described on the attached instruction sheet.

4. How do students request a refund if they have already paid spring 2002 nonresident tuition and then become eligible for an exemption?
Procedures for requesting a refund are described on the attached instruction sheet.

5. 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 continous enrollment after the original affidavit is submitted. A break in continuous enrollment will require completion of a new affidavit.

6. Are U.S. citizens who are current residents of other states but meet all the criteria eligible? Yes

7. Does the exemption apply to students holding valid non-immigrant (temporary) visas (such as F, J, H, L or other temporary visa)? No

8. Are students covered under this exemption eligible to receive State University Grants(SUG)? No. Students exempted from paying nonresident tuition do not become residents for eligibility purposes for any state-funded program.

9. Are students 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.

10. Are students covered under this exemption eligible to receive a waiver of the application fee based on qualifying financial status?No

11. Are students covered under this exemption eligible to participate in the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP)? No. Students are exempted from paying nonresident tuition, but do not become residents for eligibility purposes for any state-funded program, such as EOP.

12. 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 that would have been applicable for all terms of attendance. The student may also be subject to disciplinary proceedings.

13. 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.