What is AB 540?
AB 540 (California Non–Resident Tuition Exemption) allows undocumented students who qualify, the opportunity to be exempted from paying nonresident tuition. AB 540 was signed into state law on October 12, 2001, and authorizes any student, including undocumented students who meet specific criteria, to pay in-state tuition at California’s public colleges and universities.
Who is eligible?
- U.S. Citizens
- Permanent Residents
- Undocumented Students Including Temporary Protected Status (TPS), Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
- T and U Visa Holders Only
Requirements:
Attendance Requirement (must meet one)
- Attended a high school (public or private) in California for three or more years, OR
- Attained credits earned in California from a California high school equivalent to three or more years of full-time high school course work and attended a combination of elementary, middle and/or high schools in California for a total of three or more years.
- Attended or attained credits at a combination of California high school, California adult school, and California community college* for the equivalent of (3) years or more.
*A year’s equivalence of attendance at a California community college is either a minimum of 24 semester units of credit or 54 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 (must meet one)
- The student must have 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) or
- Completed or will complete (before the first term of enrollment at the CSU) an associate’s degree from a California community college; or
- Completed or will complete (before the first term of enrollment at the CSU) the minimum requirements at a California community college for transfer to the California State University. The student must file an affidavit with the college or university stating that filed an application to legalize his or her immigration status, or will file an application as soon as he or she is eligible to do so.
- The student must file an exemption request including a signed affidavit with the campus that indicates the student has met all applicable conditions described above. Student information obtained in this process is strictly confidential unless disclosure is required under law.
Other Benefits:
If you qualify for AB 540, you are eligible to apply for state financial aid through the California Dream Act.
Frequently Asked Questions:
See FAQs on Immigrants Rising's Systemwide AB 540 FAQ.