Residency for Tuition Purposes | Cal Poly Skip to main content Close Main navigation * Visit * Apply * Give Global Navigation * About Cal Poly * About Cal Poly * Facts and Figures * President and Leadership * Rankings and Awards * Academics * Academics * Academic Calendar * Academic Advising and Services * Centers and Institutes * Colleges * Internships and Co-ops * Library * Research * Study Abroad * Student Life * Student Life * Athletics and Recreation * Clubs and Organizations * Health, Wellbeing and Safety * Housing and Dining * Tuition and Financial Aid * Tuition and Financial Aid * Financial Aid * Student Accounts * University Divisions * Cal Poly Maritime Academy * Admissions * Mustang Athletics * News * Contact Us Find Information For * Students * Parents * Alumni * Staff * Faculty Close Search Cal Poly Websites Other Ways to Search * Campus Map * Directory * Find a major Explore Cal Poly Admissions * First-Year Student * First-Year Student * How to Apply * Dates and Deadlines * Selection Criteria for First-Year Students * Application Resources * Cost and Aid * Once You're Accepted * Transfer Student * Transfer Student * How to Apply * Dates and Deadlines * Selection Criteria for Transfer Students * Cost and Aid * Application Resources * Once You're Accepted * Graduate Student * Graduate Student * How to Apply * Dates and Deadlines * Selection Criteria for Graduate Students * Application Resources * Cost and Aid * Once You're Accepted * International Student * International Student * How to Apply * Dates and Deadlines * Selection Criteria for International Students * Tuition and Fees * Once You're Accepted Residency for Tuition Purposes Residency for tuition purposes determines whether you will pay in-state or out-of-state tuition fees, not if you are a resident of California.​​ State requirements to establish residency for tuition purposes are not the same as other types of residency. Just because you are or have been a resident of California does not mean you qualify to receive the in-state tuition rate. Provisions for residency at a California State University also differ from those at the University of California and the California Community Colleges. Cal Poly will determine your residency status after you have been accepted for admission, or upon request for a residency reclassification. Determining Residency * Initial Classification * Reclassification * Exceptions to the General Rules * AB 540/AB200 Exemption * Residency Appeals Learning More About the Residency Process At Cal Poly, a resident for tuition purposes is someone who meets the requirements set forth in: * California Educational Code , Section 68000-68084 and 68120-68134 * California Code of Regulations , Title 5, Sections 41901-41915. The applicable sections of the code are also available for review at the Admissions Office, Building 172H, second floor, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. More information about the residency process can also be found at the California State University website. If you have any questions about the residency process, contact the Admissions Office . Submitting Documents Cal Poly will request documents when they are needed. Please do not submit documents until Cal Poly requests them. Watch your To Do List for a request to submit specific documents, then do so as follows: * Submit Visa Documents (Can include copies of the following: Current visa, Permanent Resident Card, forms filed with USCIS, Certificate of Naturalization, etc. Please do not provide copies of passports, unless it is a US passport to verify US citizenship) * Submit Residence Questionnaire (Complete Residence Questionnaire ) Admission footer Help Center * Contact Admissions * Request Information * What is Impaction? Special Circumstances * Not Selected * Residency * Returning Students * Waitlist Cal Poly Admissions Office [email protected] 805-756-2311 1 Grand Avenue, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407 805-756-1111 * * * Global Footer Primary * University Home * My Cal Poly Portal * Campus Map * Campus Safety Global Footer Secondary * Privacy Notice * Website Feedback * Web Accessibility Statement * Title IX * Campus Annual Security Report (PDF) * Campus Safety Plan (PDF) * Students with Dependents (c) 2026 California Polytechnic State University