Residency Information

Rules regarding legal residence for tuition purposes at Hastings are governed, in part, by the California Education Code and the Hastings Residence Policy as set forth in the Standing Orders of the Hastings College of the Law Board of Directors and the regulations of the General Counsel.

To be considered a California resident for purposes of fees, an out-of-state student must have lived in California for more than one year preceding the residence determination date, relinquish residence in other states, show intent to establish residency in California and demonstrate financial independence. Unmarried undergraduates from other states qualify as financially independent if they were not claimed by their parents or others as dependents for tax purposes for two preceding tax years and if their annual income is sufficient to meet their needs. All married students and unmarried graduate and professional students from other states qualify as financially independent if their parents or others have not claimed them as dependents for tax purposes for the preceding year.

Other out-of-state students who qualify as financially independent include veterans of the U.S. armed services, students with legal dependents other than a spouse, students with both parents deceased, students who are wards of the court, and students who are at least 24 years of age by December 31 of the year they seek to be classified as residents.

Students holding nonimmigrant visas (F1, J1, etc.) may not establish California residency for purposes of fees.

All incoming students must complete an Application for California Residence for Tuition Purposes. Continuing students may petition to reclassify their status at the end of the current semester.

The residency review process cannot be accomplished by telephone or email. Decisions are rendered only upon submission of a completed Application. All students must complete an Application in order to change their status.  Facsimile copies cannot be processed.  Only filings with the student's original signature are acceptable.  Every effort is made to review filings within seven to 10 days after submission.

The residency determination date is the first day of classes.

Caution: This summary is not a complete explanation of the law regarding residence. Additional information is available from the Office of the Registrar. Please note that changes may be made in the residence requirements between the publication date of this statement and the relevant residence determination date.