Undergraduate Students

Freshman Requirements

Generally, applicants will qualify for consideration for first-time freshman admission if they meet the following requirements: 

• Have graduated from high school, have earned a Certificate of General Education Development (GED) or have passed the California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE);
• Complete the 15-unit comprehensive “a-g” pattern of college preparatory courses;
• Have completed, with “C-” or better, each of the courses in the comprehensive pattern of college preparatory subject requirements also known as the “a-g” pattern (see “Subject Requirements”); and
  • The CSU will accept “Credit” or “Pass” grades to satisfy “a-g” requirements completed during winter, spring, summer or fall 2020 terms and during winter, spring or summer 2021 terms. The CSU expects and assumes that high school Pass (Credit) grades will represent work completed at the “C-” or better level. Beginning fall 2021 and forward, grades are expected for courses.
• Earn a qualifying “a-g” grade point average (GPA) as described below.
  • California residents and graduates of California high schools will be eligible for admission by earning a 2.50 or greater “a-g” GPA.
  • Any California high school graduate or resident of California earning a GPA between 2.00 and 2.49 may be evaluated for admission based upon supplemental factors such as number of courses exceeding minimum “a-g” requirements, household income, extracurricular involvement, and other available information that would inform the campus admission decision.
  • Non-California residents may be eligible for admission to the CSU by earning a 3.00 or greater “a-g” GPA along with other supplemental factors utilized by the individual campus, including those outlined by impacted campuses and programs.
  • Any Non-California resident earning a GPA between 2.47 and 2.99 may be evaluated for admission based upon supplemental factors such as number of courses exceeding minimum “a-g” requirements, household income, extracurricular involvement, and other available information that would inform the campus admission decision.
• Each CSU campus will determine the supplemental factors used with GPA to determine eligibility in these cases and communicate these criteria publicly for prospective students.

The California State University (CSU) has permanently discontinued the use of ACT/SAT examinations in determining admission eligibility  Submitted test scores by admitted students would be considered only for purposes of student placement in math or English courses.

Subject Requirements

Cal State Fullerton is an impacted campus for all first-time freshmen. Impaction means that there are more eligible applications for a campus than can be accommodated. In order to ensure that capacity is not exceeded, more rigorous standards are applied to the freshmen applicant pool. This means that all freshmen applicants, whether in our local admissions area or outside of our local admissions area, must anticipate meeting higher levels of competition than the minimum eligibility index required by the non-impacted campuses of the CSU. The actual competition cannot be set until after the initial filing period has closed and we are able to assess the size and quality of the freshmen pool. Admission as a first-time freshman may not be available for all semesters.

The CSU requires that first-time freshman applicants complete, with “C-” or better, a comprehensive pattern of college preparatory study totaling 15 units. A “unit” is one year of study in high school. 

• Two years of social science, including one year of U.S. history, or U.S. history and government.
• Four years of English.
• Three years of math (algebra, geometry and intermediate algebra; four years recommended).
• Two years of laboratory science (one biological and one physical, both must have laboratory instruction).
• Two years in the same foreign language (subject to waiver for applicants demonstrating equivalent competence).
• One year of visual and performing arts: art, dance, drama/theater or music.
• One year of electives: selected from English, advanced mathematics, social science, history, laboratory science, foreign language, visual and performing arts or other courses approved and included on the UC/CSU “a-g” list.

Provisional Admission for Freshmen

Cal State Fullerton may provisionally admit first-time freshman applicants based on their academic preparation through the junior year of high school and planned coursework for the senior year. The campus will monitor the final terms of study to ensure that admitted students complete their secondary school studies satisfactorily, including the required college preparatory subjects, and graduate from high school. Students are required to submit an official transcript after graduation to certify that all coursework has been satisfactorily completed. Official high school transcripts must be received prior to the deadline set by the university. In no case may documentation of high school graduation be received any later than the census date for a student’s first term of CSU enrollment. A campus may rescind admission decisions, cancel financial aid awards, withdraw housing contracts and cancel any university registration for students who are found to be ineligible after the final transcript has been evaluated. 

Applicants will qualify for regular (non-provisional) admission when the university verifies that they have graduated and received a high school diploma, have earned a qualifiable MFAS score, have completed the comprehensive pattern of college preparatory “a-g” subjects and, if applying to an impacted program or campus, have met all supplementary criteria. 

Students are admitted for a specific term. If a student is unable to begin their studies that term, they will need to reapply for a future term by submitting a new admission application.

Transfer Policies of CSU Campuses

Most commonly, college-level credits earned from an institution of higher education accredited by a regional accrediting agency are accepted for transfer to campuses of the CSU; however, authority for decisions regarding the transfer of undergraduate credits is delegated to each CSU campus. 

California Community Colleges and other authorized certifying institutions can certify up to 39 semester (58.5 quarter) units of General Education-Breadth (GE-Breadth) or 37 semester (55.5 quarter) units of the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) for transfer students to fulfill lower-division general education requirements for any CSU campus prior to transfer. 

“Certification” is the official notification from a California Community College or authorized institution that a transfer student has completed courses fulfilling lower-division general education requirements. The CSU GE-Breadth and the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) certification course lists for particular community colleges can be accessed at assist.org. 

CSU campuses may enter into course-to-course or program-to-program articulation agreements with other CSU campuses, any or all of the California community colleges and other regionally accredited institutions. Established CSU and CCC articulations may be found on assist.org. Students may be permitted to transfer no more than 70 semester (105 quarter) units to a CSU campus from an institution which does not offer bachelor’s degrees or their equivalents, for example, community colleges. Given the university’s 30-semester (45-quarter) unit residency requirement, no more than a total of 90 semester (135 quarter) units may be transferred into the university from all sources. 

Transfer Requirements

Applicants who have completed fewer than 60 transferable semester college units (fewer than 90 quarter units) are considered lower-division transfer students. Applicants who have completed 60 or more transferable semester college units (90 or more quarter units) are considered upper-division transfer students. Applicants who complete college units during high school or through the summer immediately following high school graduation are considered first-time freshmen and must meet the CSU minimum eligibility requirements for first-time freshman admission. Transferable courses are those designated for baccalaureate credit by the college or university offering the courses and accepted as such by the campus to which the applicant seeks admission. 

Lower-Division Transfer Requirements

Due to increased enrollment demands, some CSU campuses do not admit lower-division transfer applicants.

Generally, applicants will qualify for CSU admission consideration as a lower-division transfer if they have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 in all transferable units attempted, are in good standing at the last college or university attended, and meet any of the following standards:

• Will meet the freshman admission requirements (GPA and subject requirements) in effect for the term to which they are applying (see “Freshman Requirements”).
• Were eligible as a freshman at the time of high school graduation except for missing college preparatory subject requirements, have been in continuous attendance in an accredited college since high school graduation, and have made up the missing subject requirements with a 2.0 or better GPA.

Applicants who graduated from high school prior to 1988 should contact the admission office to inquire about alternative admission programs. 

Lower-division applicants who did not complete subject requirements while in high school may make up missing subjects in any of the following ways: 

• Complete appropriate courses with a “C-” or better in adult school or high school summer sessions. 
• Complete appropriate college courses with a “C-” or better. One college course of at least three semester or four quarter units will be considered equivalent to one year of high school study. 
• Earn acceptable scores on specified examinations, e.g., SAT subject tests.

Please consult with the CSU campus admission office to which you are applying for further information about alternative ways to satisfy the subject requirements. 

Cal State Fullerton does not accept applications for lower-division applicants.

Making Up Missing College Preparatory Subject Requirements

Lower-division applicants who did not complete subject requirements while in high school may make up missing subjects in any of the following ways:

• Complete appropriate courses with a “C” or better in adult school or high school summer sessions.
• Complete appropriate college courses with a “C” or better. One college course of at least three semester or four quarter units will be considered equivalent to one year of high school study.
• Earn acceptable scores on specified examinations, e.g., SAT subject tests.

Please consult with the CSU campus admission office, to which you are applying for further information about alternative ways to satisfy the subject requirements.

Due to increased enrollment demands, some CSU campuses do not admit lower-division transfer applicants.

Upper-Division Transfer Requirements

Generally, applicants will qualify for consideration for upper-division transfer admission if they meet all of the following requirements: 

• Cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.0 in all transferable units attempted.
• In good standing at the last college or university attended.
• Completed at least 60 transferable semester (90 quarter) units of college level coursework with a grade-point average of 2.0 or higher and a  “C”- or better in each course used to meet the CSU general education requirements in written communication, oral communication, critical thinking and quantitative reasoning, e.g. mathematics.

The 60 units must include at least 30 units of courses that meet CSU general education requirements, including all of the general education requirements in communication in the English language (both oral and written) and critical thinking and the requirement in mathematics/quantitative reasoning (usually three semester units) OR the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) requirements in English communication and mathematical concepts and quantitative reasoning. 

Cal State Fullerton is an impacted campus at the transfer level. Impaction means that there are more applications for a campus than can be accommodated. In order to ensure that capacity is not exceeded, more rigorous standards are applied to the transfer applicant pool, which may include a higher GPA above the CSU minimum. Impacted criteria may include local vs. out of local area and major program impaction.

The local area for Cal State Fullerton includes all community colleges in Orange County. Students must have earned their majority of units from a community college in Orange County to be considered a local applicant. The GPA requirement for local and out of local area (from other than community colleges in Orange County) applicants will be determined based on the number and quality of applications received and will not be determined until after the initial filing period is over.

The major that an applicant applies and to which they are accepted must be their major for a minimum of two semesters. Applicants will be unable to move between majors without meeting the initial impacted major GPA requirement. Change of major is not permitted after an applicant submits an application for fall or spring consideration. Cal State Fullerton does not use alternative major for admission consideration.

CSU general education requirements (“Golden Four”) are designated as Oral Communication, Written Communication, Critical Thinking, and Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning. Transfer applicants applying for fall term must complete the Golden Four courses, with grades of “C-” or better, no later than the end of the spring term. Transfer applicants applying for the spring term must complete the Golden Four courses, with grades of “C-” or better, no later than the end of the summer term. Applicants applying to impacted majors will be considered for admission based on meeting minimum CSU criteria and the supplemental criteria for the specific major. Former CSU students who are seeking readmission after academic disqualification must meet the GPA standards in place for their major at the time of reapplication.

CSUF is an impacted campus both by major and location.

Students are admitted for a specific term. If a student is unable to begin their studies that term, they will need to reapply for a future term by submitting a new admission application.

Associate Degrees for Transfer (AA-T or AS-T) 

The Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T) and the Associate in Science for Transfer (AS-T) degrees offered at the California Community Colleges (CCC) are designed to provide a California community college student the optimum transfer preparation and a clear admission pathway to the CSU degree majors. 

CCC students who earn an Associate Degree for Transfer (AA-T or AS-T) are guaranteed admission with junior standing to a CSU and given priority admission consideration over other transfer applicants when applying to a local CSU campus or non-impacted CSU program. AA-T or AS-T admission applicants are given limited priority consideration based on their eligibility ranking to an impacted campus/program or to campuses/programs that have been deemed similar to the degree completed at the community college. Students who have completed an AA-T/AS-T in a program deemed similar to a CSU major are able to complete remaining requirements for graduation within 60 semester (90 quarter) units. It is the responsibility of the student who has earned an AA-T/AS-T to provide documentation of the degree to the CSU campus. For the admissions process, students are responsible for working with their community college counselors to complete verification of AA-T or AS-T degree progress through the e-Verify process within the established campus deadlines.

Those students who earn associate degrees for transfer and apply to a CSU campus but cannot be admitted due to impaction will be redirected to another CSU campus and offered admission for the same term. In order to qualify for the priority admission guarantee, transfer applicants must be conferred an approved associate degree for transfer by a California Community College, must apply for admission to California State University campuses for an open term by the published deadline, submit all requested transcripts and documents, meet CSU admission eligibility requirements for the campus and/or program, and must comply with any other prescribed admission requirements. It is the responsibility of these transfer students to provide documentation about the completion of the degree to each CSU campus that has received an application for admission. 

Applicants to Cal State Fullerton who are earning a community college transfer associate degree (AA-T or AS-T) must file an application during the initial filing period. Because of impaction, they will be given a 0.1 GPA advantage when determining admission eligibility.

Provisional Admission for Transfers

Cal State Fullerton may provisionally or conditionally admit transfer applicants based on their academic preparation and courses planned for completion. The campus will monitor the final terms to ensure that those admitted complete all required courses satisfactorily. All accepted applicants are required to submit an official transcript of all college-level work completed. Campuses may rescind admission for any student who is found to be ineligible after the final transcript has been evaluated. In no case may such documents be received and validated by the university any later than a student’s registration for their second term of CSU enrollment.

English Language Requirement

All undergraduate applicants whose native language is not English, and who have not attended schools at the secondary level or above for at least three years full time where English is the principal language of instruction, must present a score of 500 or above on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Some majors may require a higher score. Some majors and some campuses may require a higher score. A few campuses may also use alternative methods of assessing English fluency: Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and the International Test of English Proficiency (ITEP). Each campus will post the tests it accepts on its website and will notify students after they apply about the tests it accepts and when to submit scores.

CSU minimum TOEFL standards are:

CSUF minimum TOEFL standards are:

IELTS minimum standards are:

Test results submitted must not have been earned more than two years prior to the desired enrollment date. Institutional TOEFL tests administered outside of CSUF are not acceptable.

As circumstances warrant, minimum TOEFL scores may be changed.

Computer Competency

All entering students are expected to be knowledgeable in the use of a personal computer (PC or Macintosh) prior to being admitted to the university. Entering students should have 1) the ability to use a PC to locate, create, move, copy, delete, name, rename, and save files and folders on hard drives and on secondary storage devices; 2) the ability to use a word processing program that runs on a PC or Macintosh computer to create, edit, format, store, retrieve and print documents; 3) the ability to use an electronic mail system to receive, create, edit, print, save, and send an email message with and without an attached file and 4) the ability to use an internet browser. Students who feel they do not meet the expected level of competency should contact the Student Technology Services website or 657-278-8888.

Placement Measures for First-Year General Education Written Communication and Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning Courses 

Freshman skills assessment and placement for general education written communication and mathematics/quantitative reasoning shall be based on systemwide skills assessment standards that include the Early Assessment Program/ Smarter Balanced Achievement Levels, ACT scores and/or SAT scores, high school coursework, high school GPA and math GPA. 

Skills assessments are not a condition for admission to the CSU; they are a condition of enrollment. 

These skills assessments are designed to inform entering freshmen of placement in appropriate baccalaureate-level courses based on their skills and needs. 

First-time freshmen in need of support as determined by the skills assessment will be placed in supported instruction. Supported instruction is designed to assist students in credit bearing courses. Students may also be required to participate in the Supportive Pathway for First-year Students Program. 

The Supportive Pathway for First-year Students Program offers pathways and academic and social support that align with each incoming student’s needs. The program’s goal is to ensure that first-time students successfully complete the General Education (G.E.) written communication (A2) and math/quantitative reasoning (B4) requirements within their first year.

Assessments and Placement for GE Written Communications 
Has Fulfilled the GE Subarea A2 English Requirement 

The student has met the requirement via completion of one of the following: 

Advanced Placement (AP) Test 

• 3 or above: AP Language and Composition.
• 3 or above: AP Composition and Literature.

College Transfer Coursework 

• Completed approved college course that satisfies CSU GE Area A2 (written communication) with a “C-” or better.

Placement in a GE Subarea A2 English Course 

The student has met examination standards and/or multiple measures- informed standards via one of the criteria below: 

English CAASPP/EAP Test: 

• Standard Exceeded.
• Standard Met and completed 12th-grade approved year-long English course (CSU ERWC, AP, Weighted Honors English) with a “C-” or better.

*English New SAT Test: 

• 550 or above.
• 510 – 540 and completed 12th-grade approved year-long English course (CSU ERWC, AP, Weighted Honors English) with a “C-” or better English.

ACT Test: 

• 22 or higher.
• 19-21 and completed 12th-grade approved year-long English course (CSU ERWC, AP, Weighted Honors English) with a “C-” or better.

High School Courses and GPA: 

• Weighted GPA 3.3 or above.
• GPA 3.0 or above and completed approved 12th-grade year-long English course (AP, CSU ERWC, Weighted Honors English).
• GPA 3.0 or above and completed Honors English.
• GPA 3.0 or above and five or more years of high school English.

Placement in a Supported GE Subarea A2 English Course 

The student has met examination standards and/or multiple measures- informed standards via one of the criteria below: 

*English New SAT Test: 

• 510 – 540 and four or more years of high school English.

ACT Test: 

• 19-21 and four or more years of high school English.

High School Courses and GPA: 

• Weighted GPA 3.0 or above and four or more years of high school English.
• *SAT score conversion for scores prior to March 2016 (old SAT): collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat-scoring-before-march-2016.

Placement in a Supported GE Subarea A2 English Course

Assessments and Placement for GE Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning: Non-Math Intensive Majors (Algebra and Statistics Disciplines, Non-STEM and Undecided Majors)
Has Fulfilled the GE Subarea B4 Math/Quantitative Reasoning Requirement 

The student has met the requirement via completion of one of the following: 

Advanced Placement (AP) Test: 

• 3 or above: calculus AB.
• 3 or above on AP Calculus BC.
• 3 or above on AP Statistics.
• 3 or above on AP Computer Science Principles.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Test: 

• 4 or above on Math Higher Level (HL).

College Level Examination Program (CLEP): 

• 50 or above on: calculus, college algebra, college algebra-trigonometry, pre-calculus or trigonometry.

College Transfer Coursework: 

• Completed math/quantitative reasoning college course with a “C-” or better that satisfies CSU GE Area B4.

Placement in a GE Subarea B4 Math/Quantitative Reasoning Requirement 

The student has met examination standards and/or multiple measures-informed standards via one of the following criteria: 

CAASPP/EAP Math Exam: 

• Standard Exceeded.
• Standard Met and completed 12th-grade approved year-long math course beyond algebra 2 with a “C-” or better.
• Standard Met and four or more years of high school math or quantitative reasoning.

SAT Math Test: 

• 570 or above 
• 520 – 560 and completed 12th-grade approved year-long math course beyond algebra 2 with a “C-” or better.

ACT Math Test: 

• 23 or above.
• 20-22 and completed 12th-grade approved year-long math course beyond algebra 2 with a “C-” or better.

High School Courses and GPA: 

• Weighted math GPA 3.0 or above and completed 12th-grade approved year-long math course beyond algebra 2 with a “C-” or better.
• Weighted math GPA 3.0 or above and five or more years of high school math or quantitative reasoning.
• Weighted high school GPA 3.7 or above.
• Weighted high school GPA 3.5 or above and four or more years of high school math or quantitative reasoning.

Placement in a Supported GE Subarea B4 Math/Quantitative Reasoning Requirement 

The student has met examination standards and/or multiple measures- informed standards via one of the criteria below: 

High School GPA: 

• Weighted math GPA 3.3 or above.
• Weighted high school GPA 3.0 or above.

Placement in a Supported GE Subarea B4 Math/ Quantitative Reasoning Requirement

Assessments and Placement for GE Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning: Pre-STEM/STEM and Other Math- Intensive Majors
Has Fulfilled the GE Subarea B4 Math/Quantitative Reasoning Requirement 

The student has met the requirement via completion of one of the following: 

Advanced Placement (AP) Test: 

• 3 or above on AP calculus AB.
• 3 or above on AP calculus BC.
• 3 or above on AP statistics.
• 3 or above on AP computer science principles.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Test: 

• 4 or above on Math Higher Level (HL).

College Level Examination Program (CLEP): 

• 50 or above on: calculus, college algebra, college algebra-trigonometry, pre-calculus or trigonometry.

College Transfer Coursework: 

• Completed math/quantitative reasoning college course with a “C-” or better that satisfies CSU GE Area B4.

Placement in a GE Subarea B4 Math/Quantitative Reasoning Requirement 

The student has met examination standards and/or multiple measures- informed standards via one of the criteria below: 

CAASPP/EAP Math Exam: 

• Standard Exceeded.
• Standard Met and completed 12th-grade approved year-long math course beyond algebra 2 with a “C-” or better.

SAT Math Test: 

• 570 or above.
• 520 – 560 and completed 12th-grade approved year-long math course beyond algebra 2 with a “C-” or better.

ACT Math Test: 

• 23 or above.
• 20-22 and completed 12th-grade approved year-long math course beyond algebra 2 with a “C-” or better.

High School Courses and GPA: 

• Weighted math GPA 3.5 or above and completed 12th-grade approved year-long math course beyond algebra 2 with a “C-” or better.
• Weighted math GPA 3.5 or above and five or more years of high school math or quantitative reasoning.
• Weighted high school GPA 3.7 or above.

Placement in a Supported GE Subarea B4 Math/ Quantitative Reasoning Requirement 

The student has met examination standards and/or multiple measures- informed standards via the criteria below: 

High School Math GPA: 

• Weighted math GPA 3.3 or above.

CSU Immunization Requirements

Entering CSU students are required to present proof of the following immunizations to the CSU campus they will be attending before the beginning of their first term of enrollment. 

Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR): Two (2) doses with first dose on or after 1st birthday; OR positive titer (laboratory evidence of immunity to disease).

Hepatitis B (Hep B): All new students who will be 18 years of age or younger at the start of their first term at a CSU campus must provide proof of full immunization against Hepatitis B before enrolling. Full immunization against Hepatitis B consists of three dose series OR positive titer (laboratory evidence of immunity to disease). If you need further details, please consult Cal State Fullerton’s Student Wellness at 657-278-2800 or fullerton.edu/studentwellness.

Varicella (Chickenpox): Two (2) doses with first dose on or after 1st birthday; OR positive titer (laboratory evidence of immunity to disease) prior to enrollment. Note: Prior history of contracting the disease does not meet requirement.

Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap): One (1) dose after age 7.

Meningococcal conjugate (Serogroups A, C, Y, W-135): One (1) dose on or after 16 for all students and age 21 or younger.

Tuberculosis Screening/Risk Assessment: All new students must complete a tuberculosis risk assessment questionnaire. New students who are at higher risk for TB infection, as determined by the screening questions, should undergo testing for TB infection within one year of CSUF entry. The TB risk assessment can be found under the Forms tab in your Titan Health Portal.

* Higher risk includes travel or living in South or Central America, Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and the Middle East; prior positive TB test; or exposure to someone with active TB disease.

CSU Interim COVID-19 Vaccination Policy: All individuals who access Campus/Programs must be Fully Vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus, as defined by this policy, subject to the terms and limited Exemptions described in this policy, as well as comply with Other Safety Measures established on each campus.

A Student may be exempted from the vaccine requirement in this policy as described below:

• Medical Exemption: due to a medical (including mental health) condition for which an Approved Vaccine presents a significant risk of a serious adverse reaction. Any medical Exemption must be verified by a certified or licensed healthcare professional.
• Religious Exemption: due to either (i) a person’s sincerely held religious belief, observance, or practice, which includes any traditionally recognized religion, or (ii) beliefs, observances, or practices which an individual sincerely holds and that occupy a place of importance in that individual’s life, comparable to that of traditionally recognized religions.

The above are not admission requirements, but are required of students as conditions of enrollment in CSU.

Determination of Residency for Tuition Purposes

University requirements for establishing residency for tuition purposes are independent from requirements for establishing residency for other purposes, such as for tax purposes, or other state or institutional residency. These regulations were promulgated not to determine whether a student is a resident or nonresident of California, but rather to determine whether a student qualifies to pay university fees at the in-state or out-of-state rate. A resident for tuition purposes is someone who meets the requirements set forth in the Uniform Student Residency Requirements. These laws governing residency for tuition purposes at the California State University are California Education Code sections 68000-68086, 68120- 68133, and 89705-89707.5, and California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Subchapter 5, Article 4, sections 41900- 41915. This material can be viewed by accessing the California State University’s website at www.calstate.edu/GC/resources.shtml.

Each campus’s Admissions Office is responsible for determining the residency status of that campus’s new and returning students based, as applicable, on the student’s Application for Admission, Residency Questionnaire, and, as necessary, other information the student furnishes. A student who fails to provide sufficient information to establish resident status will be classified a nonresident.

Residency Requirements

Initial Determination: Eligible Immigration Status, Physical Presence and Intent

A student seeking to pay in-state tuition at a California State University campus as a first-time freshman, transfer, or as a post-baccalaureate/graduate student must have an eligible immigration status to establish residency (see Immigration Information), meet physical presence by the Residence Determination Date, and demonstrate intent to indefinitely remain in the State of California for more than one year immediately preceding the Residence Determination Date. If the student is under the age of 19 (with limited exceptions), the student’s residence status is derived from that of the parent or from that of the legal guardian. 

Requirements for Residency for Tuition Purposes  

Physical Presence: The student or parent/guardian must be physically present in California for more than one year immediately preceding the Residence Determination Date in which enrollment is contemplated. For example, if a student plans to attend the CSU for the fall 2022 academic term, and the Residence Determination Date for that term is September 20, 2022, the student must establish physical presence in California no later than September 19, 2021. 

Intent: California law stipulates the burden of proof rests with the student, and merely living in California for a year does not support a claim for residency for tuition purposes. The student, or in some cases a parent or legal guardian, must demonstrate intent to remain indefinitely in the state for more than one year immediately preceding the Residence Determination Date (RDD) and sever all residential ties with the former state or country of residence. If the student is under the age of 19, the student’s residence status is derived from that of the parent or legal guardian unless an exception applies. There must be sufficient documentation to demonstrate that intent was established more than one year (a minimum of one year and one day) before the RDD. 

Documents must include the student’s name, the student’s California address, and a date at least one year and one day prior or on the RDD for the term. For students under the age of 19, documents must be in the parent or legal guardian’s name unless an exception applies. Also, a parent or legal guardian’s immigration status does not preclude a student from establishing residency; therefore, the parent or legal guardian is not required to provide any immigration documents to demonstrate intent.

Evidence demonstrating intent to remain in the State of California indefinitely may vary from case to case, but will include, and is not necessarily limited to, the absence of residential ties to any other state, California voter registration and history of actually voting in California elections, maintaining California vehicle registration and driver’s license, maintaining active California bank accounts, filing California income tax returns and listing a California address on federal tax returns, owning residential property or occupying or renting a residence where permanent belongings are kept, maintaining active memberships in California professional or social organizations, and maintaining a permanent military address and home of record in California.

Immigration Information

A student seeking to pay in-state tuition at a California State University campus as a first-time freshman, transfer, or as a post-baccalaureate/graduate student must have an eligible immigration status to establish residency. Therefore, the student must be a United States citizen, a permanent resident (Green Card holder), or hold an eligible visa status (see list). If a student does not qualify as a California resident, the student may be eligible for certain exceptions and exemptions.

Nonimmigrant Statuses and Other Categories that are Eligible to Establish California Residency for Tuition Purposes

The Immigration and Nationality Act allows individuals in certain nonimmigrant statuses to establish permanent residency in the United States. Therefore, they are entitled to establish California residency for tuition purposes. For a complete list of eligible visas and other eligible categories, review the Nonimmigrant list Students must hold an eligible visa status at least one year before the Residence Determination Date to be eligible to establish California residency for tuition purposes.

Students in the category of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) or Temporary Protected Status (TPS) are also eligible to establish residency for tuition purposes. Also, students who are adjusting their immigration status, such as asylum, may qualify for residency depending on where they are in the application process.

Most nonimmigrant visa holders, such as an F-1 or J-1 visa holder, are not eligible to establish California residency for tuition purposes. Students with a visa or without an immigration status should contact the campus Admissions Office.

Exceptions

Exceptions to the general residency requirements are contained in California Education Code sections 68070-68086 and California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Subchapter 5, Article 4, sections 41906- 41906.6, 41910. Whether an exception applies to a particular student can only be determined after the submission of an application for admission and, as necessary, additional supporting documentation. Because neither the campus nor the Chancellor’s Office staff may give legal advice, applicants are strongly urged to review the material for themselves and consult with a legal advisor. 

CalState TEACH

Reclassification - Financial Independence (only applies to continuing students)

A student classified as a nonresident for a prior term may seek reclassification in any subsequent term; however, reclassification requires that, in addition to satisfying the requirements of physical presence and intent to remain indefinitely in the state, the student must also satisfy the requirement of financial independence.  A student seeking reclassification is required to complete a Residency Questionnaire that includes questions concerning financial independence. For additional information on intent, physical presence and financial independence requirements, refer to the www.calstate.edu/residency website.

A student classified as a nonresident for a prior term may seek reclassification in any subsequent term; however, reclassification requires that, in addition to satisfying the requirements of physical presence and intent to remain indefinitely in the state, the student must also satisfy the requirement of financial independence as outlined in Title 5 CCR § 41905.5. To do so, the student must contact the appropriate person in the campus admissions office and complete a Residency Questionnaire Form and provide supporting documents.

41905.5. Residence Reclassification - Financial Independence Requirement

• Any nonresident student requesting reclassification to resident for tuition purposes must demonstrate financial independence
• Student has not and will not be claimed as an exemption for state and federal tax purposes by his/her parent in the calendar year the reclassification application is made and in any of the three calendar years prior to the reclassification application
• Student has not and will not receive more than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750) per year in financial assistance from his/her parent in the calendar year the reclassification application is made and in any of the three calendar years prior to the reclassification application
• Student has not lived and will not live for more than six weeks in the home of his/her parent during the calendar year the reclassification application is made and in any of the three calendar years prior to the reclassification application

Note: Students who receive a government scholarship and/or financial assistance should be viewed the same as state and federal financial aid, and athletics grants-is-aid; and should not be counted as parental support.

Effective fall 2020 academic term, if the student meets at least one of the following criteria, the student does not have to meet the financial independence requirement.  Student must provide the campus admissions office supporting documents (e.g. state income tax returns, court documents, marriage certificate, military order form) that demonstrate they meet the criteria.

• Dependent on a parent who has California residence for more than one year immediately preceding the residence determination date;
• Enrolled in a graduate or post‐baccalaureate program, regardless of age;
• Turned 24 years of age by the residence determination date;
• Married or registered domestic partner as of the residence determination date;
• Active duty members serving in the U.S Armed Forces
• Veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces
• Legal dependent other than spouse or registered domestic partner
• Former ward of the court, foster youth or both parents are deceased
• Declared by a court to be an emancipated minor
• Unaccompanied youth who is homeless or at risk of becoming homeless

Residency Appeals

A student classified as a nonresident may appeal a final campus decision within 30 days of notification by the campus. Appeals will be accepted only if at least one of the following criteria applies:

• The decisions were based on:
  • a significant error of fact by the campus;
  • a significant procedural error by the campus; or
  • an incorrect application of the law which, if corrected would require that the student be reclassified as a California resident; and/or
• Significant new information, not previously known or available to the student, became available after the date of the campus decision classifying the student as a nonresident and based on the new information, the classification as a nonresident is incorrect.

Instructions to submit an appeal and  additional information can be found at https://calstate.edu/residency

Appeals via email, fax and U.S. mail will not be accepted. A student with a documented disability who is requesting an accommodation to submit an appeal through the Calstate website  should contact Student Affairs and Enrollment Management

The Chancellor’s Office will either decide the appeal or send the matter back to the campus for further review.

A student incorrectly classified as a resident or incorrectly granted an exception from nonresident tuition is subject to reclassification as a nonresident or withdrawal of the exception and subject to payment of nonresident tuition in arrears. If incorrect classification results from false or concealed facts, the student may also be subject to discipline pursuant to Section 41301 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations. A student previously classified as a resident or previously granted an exception is required to immediately notify the Admissions Office if the student has reason to believe that the student no longer qualifies as a resident or no longer meets the criteria for an exception.

Changes may have been made in the rate of nonresident tuition and in the statutes and regulations governing residency for tuition purposes in California between the time this information is published and the relevant residency determination date. Students are urged to review the statutes and regulations stated above.