Student sitting on bench at the UC Davis quad.

Educational Policies

The following is for educational purposes only. The final determination of California physical residency for AB540 status and extensions, as it relates to in-state tuition at UC Davis, resides under the discretion of the UC Davis Residence Deputies. No other campus entity is authorized to advise.

AB 540

On October 12, 2001, Governor Gray Davis signed into law Assembly Bill 540 (Stats. 2001, ch. 814) adding a new section, 68130.5, to the California Education Code. Section 68130.5 created a new exemption from the payment of non-resident tuition for certain non-resident students who have attended high school in California and received a high school diploma or its equivalent.

If you're granted an AB 540 exemption, you will be charged in-state tuition and fees, and not the supplemental tuition charged to nonresidents.

Who is eligible?

  • Students who, for various reasons, are classified as nonresidents, as well as undocumented students, may be eligible.
  • You must meet all of the following requirements to be eligible:
  • Attend a California high school for three or more years (9th grade counts).
  • Graduate (or will graduate) from a high school in California or the equivalent (a High School Equivalency Certificate issued by the California State GED Office or a Certificate of Proficiency resulting from the California High School Proficiency Examination are considered equivalent to high school graduation).
  • You must also have signed the California Nonresident Exemption Request, which states that you meet all the requirements to qualify for AB 540 status and, if you are undocumented, are in the process of adjusting your immigration status (or will do so as soon as you are eligible).

Who is not eligible?

  • Students in possession of nonimmigrant visas (including, but not limited to any of the following visas: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T*, TN/TD, TWOV, U*  and NATO) are not eligible for this exemption.
    • *Except for holders of T and U visas: UC policy permits T and U visa holders with approved I-485 applications who meet the requirements described above to be exempt from nonresident supplemental tuition until they are eligible to establish California residency according to UC policy.

California DREAM Act (CADAA)

The California Dream Act Application allows students interested in attending eligible California Colleges, Universities, and Career Education Programs to apply for state financial aid. This application is unrelated to the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and the previously proposed national DREAM Act Legislations. This application is free. The information provided on your California Dream Act Application is used to calculate your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The EFC is used by UC Davis to determine your eligibility for financial aid. You can apply for financial aid before you apply for admissions.

For more information about CADAA review the information on the UC Davis Financial Aid Office website and or the California Student Aid Commissions website.

California DREAM Loan Program - SB1210

Undocumented students do not have access to federal loans. As a result, there was a several thousand dollar gap in their financial aid packages. SB 1210 established the California DREAM Loan Program to serve UC and CSU students. The loan limits, interest rates, and eligibility requirements are similar to those available to documented students through federal loan programs.

Dreamer Service Incentive Grant

The California Dream Act Service Incentive Grant Program (DSIG) encourages California Dream Act Applicant (CADAA) Students with a Cal Grant A award that met Cal Grant B eligibility or a Cal Grant B award to perform community or volunteer service.  The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) will award up to $4,500 per academic year (up to $1,500 per quarter) to 1,667 eligible students. The grant will be available to the student for up to 12 quarters while they have an active Cal Grant A or B award. Students must also meet Satisfactory Academic Progress and complete any necessary verification for their Cal Grant award.

Eligible students must apply annually, attend a qualifying institution, have sufficient unmet financial need, and complete community or volunteer service hours in that academic year. Students shall perform at least 100 hours per quarter of community or volunteer service. Visit the CSAC webpage on DSIG for more information.