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Every student's California residency is determined by the college and is based on the information they submitted on their application for admission.
Note: California residency for tuition purposes is different from U.S. citizenship/permanent resident status.

Students will receive an email from admissions and records notifying them of their residency status. The college will determine whether a student is a California resident or nonresident (for tuition purposes). Students who are classified as nonresidents:

  • pay nonresident tuition
  • are not eligible for state-based financial aid
  • cannot participate in programs for California residents

How to Petition for Reclassification

DACA recipients can establish California residency and change their classification if they have lived in the state for one year plus one day before the semester begins and can demonstrate they intend to remain a California resident.

To petition for reclassification as a DACA recipient at Citrus College, students must submit the Residency Reclassification Petition form with the required proof.

Undocumented students who do not have DACA may be eligible to apply for the Nonresident Tuition Exemption (AB 540 affidavit). Please refer to the next tab below.

  
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Assembly Bill (AB) 540 is a California law passed in 2001 that exempts certain students, including undocumented students, who meet the eligibility requirements from paying nonresident tuition and allows access to some state-based financial aid and programs.

View a detailed list of financial aid options that students with the AB 540 affidavit are eligible for on the Immigrants Rising website.

How to Apply

To apply for the AB 540 affidavit at Citrus College, eligible students must submit the Nonresident Tuition Exemption application and a copy of their official transcripts to admissions and records. Review a detailed breakdown of the requirements.

Undocumented students who do not currectly meet the AB 540 requirements may be able to build up their eligibility. The In-State Tuition Tool on the Immigrants Rising website can help students determine if they are eligible before applying.

  
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The California Dream Act is a state-based financial aid program comprising two California laws (AB 130 and AB 131) that allow AB 540 eligible undocumented (DACA and non-DACA), Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and U visa students to apply for:

  • state-funded grants (e.g., California College Promise Grant and Cal Grants)
  • state programs (e.g., EOPS)
  • certain scholarships
  • financial aid fee deferments

Students do not need to be DACA recipients to apply for the California Dream Act. DACA is a federal program and has no bearing on it. Use this guide from the Immigrants Rising website to learn the difference between them and who is eligible for each.

Note: DACA recipients should be filling out the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) if they are eligible, not the FAFSA.

How to Apply

The priority filing deadline for CADAA is from October 1 to March 2. Students can apply by visiting California Student Aid Commission CA Dram Act website to ensure they are considered for all state-based financial aid.

Students can sign up to attend an application assistance workshop hosted by the college's financial aid department. More Cash for College workshop dates are also offered through the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC).

Important: DACA recipients who establish California residency do not need to submit the AB 540 affidavit but must meet the AB 540 requirements to receive their financial aid award.

Is it Safe to Apply for the California Dream Act?

CSAC released a joint statement with the California Department of Education stating the information students provide them is not shared with the federal government or used for immigration enforcement purposes and will be protected to the fullest extent of the law.

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