Residency Information

Residency and Tuition Exemption

Residency is determined at the time a student submits an admissions application to College of the Desert. Students who have been classified as nonresidents may review the residency reclassification or tuition exemption categories below. 

Students who have been classified as nonresidents will adhere to the following residency or tuition exemption requirements and deadlines. 

California Residency

A Residency Reclassification request must be accompanied by documentation verifying the student’s physical presence coupled with intent to become a California resident and evidence of financial independence.

 

California Non-Resident Tuition Exemption (AB 540)

Assembly Bill 540 (AB 540) is a California law, enacted in 2002, which allows non-resident students to pay in-state tuition fees for all California public colleges and universities. AB540: Exempts eligible undocumented students from out-of-state tuition fees.

 

California Veteran Tuition Exemption

Covered individuals who are living in California while attending this institution, using their VA educational assistance under:

Veterans:Chapter 30 - Montgomery GI Bill®

• Chapter 31 - VR&E (VA Veteran Readiness and Employment
• Chapter 33 - Post-9/11 GI Bill®

Dependents:Chapter 33 - Transfer of Entitlement (TOE) Post-9/11 GI Bill® 

• Chapter 33 - Fry Scholarship for Surviving Spouses and Children
• Chapter 35 - Survivors' & Dependents' Educational Assistance