Is there a way to avoid paying non-resident fees for California colleges?

Question

I have a friend who lives in another state and wants to go to college here in California. The non-resident fees are very expensive though. Is there a way to avoid them?

Thanks!

Is it possible to use a California address when applying? Don't they have a way to check on that though? Like a credit card or something?

Answer 1

Students who come to California can establish residency in one year.

Your friend could move to California before applying (or, if he is unscrupulous could use a California address when applying).

Answer 2

If you do not have a green card or are a US citizen you are not a California Resident. To be considered a California resident under AB540 you need to have gone to school for at least 3 years there including having graduated from high school there. When I was living in California a few year ago, I was there from Canada on a TN visa. My daughter did her high school there but out visa was not covered under AB540. She did not qualify for in state tuition either. And the out of state rate was almost as much as a private college after aid. So we sent her to a private school out of state. If we are going to pay top dollar we wanted something better than San Francisco State.

Answer 3

There is no proper way to do it. You could attempt to defraud them using the method listed above, but I wouldn't recommend it.