The process for determining residency
Residency status determines the type of tuition you will pay at the UC. Students are nonresident by default, unless they complete a Statement of Legal Residence form.
Residency Determination Statuses
Included below is a list of the possible residency classifications
| Residence Determination | Outcome |
| Undetermined | Incoming students are nonresident by default and must submit a Statement of Legal Residence (SLR) to receive a residency status |
| Resident | Meets UC residency requirements and will be assessed tuition at the resident rate upon enrollment at the campus |
| Exempt from paying nonresident supplemental tuition (NRST Exempt) | Does not meet UC residency requirements but qualifies for an exemption and will pay the same rate of tuition as residents |
| Nonresident |
Does not meet UC residency requirements AND does not qualify for an exemption. Subject to the assessment of nonresident supplemental tuition upon enrollment at a UC campus |
New Students
All undergraduate applicants complete a shortened version of the Statement of Legal Residence (SLR) as part of their UC application. Some applicants have their residency status confirmed immediately based on these responses. Applicants whose residency cannot be determined at the application stage, will be required to take further action either by completing the long form version of the Systemwide Statement of Legal Residence (SSLR) or a campus Statement of Legal Residence (SLR).
Returning Students and/or Students Seeking Reclassification
If you are returning to campus after a leave of absence or transferring from another postsecondary institution (including another UC campus), your residency status will default to an undetermined status, and you'll need to submit a new campus Statement of Legal Residence. If you are a currently enrolled nonresident and want to petition for reclassification, the process may differ. Returning students and nonresident students seeking reclassification should consult with their campus residence deputy.
Supporting Documentation
After the completion of the Statement of Legal Residence, your petition will undergo residency evaluation. During this process, the residency deputy reviews the information you provided to ensure it meets UC residency requirements. They may request additional information or documentation, such as proof of physical presence, financial independence or immigration status. These requests are a normal part of the evaluation process and help confirm your eligibility for a resident classification or nonresident exemption.
Document requests may include (but are not limited to):
- Driver’s licenses/ID cards
- Tax returns
- Vehicle, voter or selective service registration
- California State social benefits eligibility
- Employment or housing verification
- Bank statements
This is your opportunity to provide clear and convincing evidence that you meet the requirements to be classified as a resident for tuition purposes. Once the residence deputy has made a decision about your residency, no additional information or documentation is accepted. If documentation is not submitted or is insufficient to establish you meet UC residency requirements, you will be classified as a nonresident and charged nonresident supplemental tuition upon enrollment.
SLR Submission and Deadlines
Systemwide Statement of Legal Residence (SSLR): The deadlines are included on the application status page on the UC application. Please note that the residency evaluation completed through the SSLR is highly time sensitive, which means that missing a deadline may result in not receiving a confirmed residency status at the time of admission to the UC.
Campus Statement of Legal Residence (CSLR): Deadlines vary. File your SLR as soon as it is requested (usually this is shortly after you file the Statement of Intent to Register) and check campus SLR filing and document submission deadlines.
Petition for Reclassification: For continuing students, check with your campus residency deputy to ensure you have the accurate deadline for the term for which you are petitioning for reclassification.
If you don't submit the SLR or supporting documentation when requested, you will be classified as a nonresident and charged nonresident supplemental tuition on your student billing statement. If you are classified as a resident in a future term, you will not be retroactively reimbursed for payment of nonresident supplemental tuition in prior terms for which a SLR was not completed.