Determining Residency for Tuition Purposes

Each student enrolled or applying for admission to any California community college will provide information and evidence deemed necessary by the district governing board to determine his or her classification. An oath of affirmation may be required in connection with taking testimony necessary to ascertain a student’s classification.

The determination of a student’s classification will be made in accordance with the provisions of residence policies and the residence determination date for the semester or intersession for which the student proposes to attend.

Each person enrolled in or applying for admission to a California Community College is, for the purposes of admission and/or tuition, classified as a “resident” or a “non-resident.”

A “resident” is a student who has resided in California for more than one year immediately preceding the residence determination date, coupled with the intent to remain in California.

A “non-resident” is a student who has not established residence in California for one year as of the residence determination date.

“Residence determination date” is the day immediately preceding the first day of instruction of the semester that the student proposes to attend.

Generally, residence requires actual physical presence in California, coupled with intent to make one’s home here. The requirements necessary to demonstrate intent to become a California resident are available in the Admissions Office.

Right to Appeal: Students who have been classified as non-residents have the right to a review of their classification (Title 5, Section 54010 (a)). Any student, following a final decision of residence classification by the Admissions Office, may make written appeal to the Vice President of Student Services within 30 calendar days of notification of final decision by the college regarding classification.

Military Exceptions to Residency Requirements

Several exceptions to the residency rules apply. They include, but are not limited, to the following:

• Active duty military personnel and their dependents stationed in California
• Active military and dependents previously stationed in California, who are currently enrolled and subsequently receive orders to change their duty station to out-of-state
• A Veteran or dependent using or intending to use their GI Bill® benefits while currently living in California and has enrolled in Taft College
  
  GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)