AB-540

The Nonresident Tuition Exemption (commonly known as AB 540) is available for certain nonresident students (including U.S. citizens, permanent residents and undocumented individuals) who have attended, graduated or achieved the equivalent from a California school. These students may be exempted from paying nonresident tuition but must remain classified as “nonresidents” for residence classification and financial aid eligibility purposes.  

If you do not meet the eligibility requirements for California residency for tuition purposes, you may qualify for an exemption from nonresident tuition if you meet the attendance and graduation/degree requirements.  

Attendance Requirement: 

  • A total attendance of – or attainment of credits earned while in California equivalent to – three or more years of full-time attendance or attainment of credits at any of the following:
  • California high schools.
  • California high schools established by the State Board of Education.
  • California adult schools established by any of the following entities:
    • A county office of education.
    • A unified school district or high school district.
    • The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
    • Campuses of the California Community Colleges*
  • A combination of those schools set forth in this section, inclusive.

*Effective January 1, 2023, a year’s equivalence at a California community college is either a minimum of 24-semester units of credit or 36 quarter units.  Full-time attendance at a California adult school is a minimum of 420 hours of attendance for each school year.
 

Graduation/Degree Requirement: 

Students must satisfy the graduation/transfer requirement by fulfilling any of the following:

  • Graduated from a California high school or attained the equivalent from a California high school prior to the start of the term (for example, passing the GED or California High School Proficiency exam)
  • Completed or will complete (before the first term of enrollment at SFSU) an associate’s degree from a California Community College
  • Completed or will complete (before the first term of enrollment at SFSU) the minimum requirements at a California Community College for transfer into the CSU system 
     

To be considered for this exemption, students must submit the California Nonresident Tuition Exemption Request (AB540) (PDF) form along with supporting documents (i.e., transcripts, proof of attendance at a California school) to the admissions office. 

Please note: If you qualify for this exemption, your nonresident tuition fee will be waived and you will pay California resident tuition fees; however, you will still be considered a nonresident for all other purposes. Students who qualify for this exemption may also be eligible to apply for and receive funds from certain state and institutional financial assistance programs through the California Dream Act. 

View the California State University system website for resources for undocumented students.