WHAT IS AB-540?

In 2001, Texas became the first state to offer in-state tuition to undocumented students.  California followed second by approving Assembly Bill 540 on October 12, 2001.  This bill has been in effect since January 01, 2002, and it allows undocumented students of all nationalities that meet specific requirements to pay IN-STATE TUITION fees if they wish to attend the California's public community colleges and universities. It also allows U.S. Citizens and legal residents, who live out of state for over a year, to establish residency for tuition purposes.

Before the passage of this bill, undocumented students were required to pay out-of-state tuition at California’s public universities regardless of how long they had lived in the state.

WHO QUALIFIES FOR AB-540? 

To qualify for AB-540 and thus be able to pay the same tuition as legal residents of California, a student must:    

(1)  Attend a California high school for 3 or more years;

 

(2)  Register or be currently enrolled in a California Community College (CCC),

California State University (CSU), or a University of California (UC);

(3)  Sign an affidavit (the Non-Resident Tuition Exemption Form) with the college

or university (NOT with INS) stating that the student will initiate

the process to become a legal resident as soon as he or she is eligible to do so.

 

Note: AB 540 does not offer state and federal financial aid or loans.  However, there are private scholarships available

that do not require applicants to be permanent residents or U.S. Citizens.

OTHER SIMILAR IN-STATE TUITION LAWS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES