California GI Bill Tuition and Residency Requirements
California GI Bill Tuition Rates
Under the new GI Bill, tuition reimbursement at public schools is limited to the in-state student rate. According to California law, to be considered a state resident you must have lived in California for more than one year leading up to your enrollment date and demonstrated the intent to become a permanent resident. Intent can be shown by a wide range of actions, including paying California state taxes, buying a home in the state or getting a driver's license in California. Final residency decisions are made by officials at California schools.
Military personnel who are California residents but who are stationed outside of California generally do not lose their California residency unless they take steps to establish residency in another state.
Exemptions for Military Personnel
Under federal law, active-duty military personnel and their dependents stationed in California for more than 30 days are eligible to receive in-state tuition rates at public schools. For undergraduate students, eligibility is maintained as long as the student is enrolled, even if the servicemember is transferred to a new location. However, under California state law, active-duty military personnel pursuing graduate degrees are limited to two years of eligibility for in-state rates, and their family members receive only one year.
In-state status is for educational purposes only and doesn't make the individual a California resident. Military personnel who are part of the reserves or non-residents serving in the National Guard are not eligible for in-state status.
Veterans are eligible for California residency if they were stationed on active-duty in California for at least one year immediately prior to discharge.
How to Apply for In-State Status in California
Active-duty servicemembers in California, GI Bill users or dependents of military personnel who want to apply for in-state tuition rates must submit a letter from their commanding officer verifying that they are stationed in California for military duty as of the "residence determination date," which is set by each school. Dependents must also submit a statement saying they were claimed as a dependent for tax purposes.
Military personnel also need to submit a statement from their commanding officer confirming that they are not stationed in California for educational purposes only, in which case they would not be eligible for in-state tuition.
Applications for in-state status should be submitted directly to the registrar or admissions office of your school.
Other State Benefits in California
The state of California also offers a tuition and fee waiver for spouses or dependents of veterans who are classified as totally disabled due to a service-connected disability or who died from service-connected causes. If certain income restrictions are met, children of veterans with partial but permanent service-connected disabilities are also eligible for the waiver. Students receiving this tuition waiver must meet California residency requirements.
GIBill.com has done its best to ensure that the above information is accurate. However, GIBill.com cannot guarantee its accuracy and encourages you to check with your school for its residency requirements to qualify for in-state tuition.
This list does not include all schools that accept GI Bill funding. For a full list of schools by state, click here.
Campus Schools
As the largest private university in North America, University of Phoenix has more than 200 locations, and is available online in most countries around the world. Whether you're seeking a college degree at an associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral level, we can help you reach your academic goal—and sooner than you might think.
We work closely with industry leaders to build market-driven degree programs. This ensures DeVry University graduates from our five distinguished colleges of study, as well as DeVry University’s Keller Graduate School of Management, are prepared to meet the challenges of today’s global marketplace.
Your passion for fashion and design comes to life at The Art Institutes. Real-world experience and career services will prepare you for entry-level employment in the creative arts.
At Argosy University we prepare individuals for careers that make a difference, whether in business, education, or psychology. Learn how you can make a difference in your life, and the lives of others.
Learn the way to prepare for a culinary career with Le Cordon Bleu programs in Culinary Arts, Patisserie and Baking, or Hospitality & Restaurant Management.
Bring Your Fire to the Plate. Le Cordon Bleu. Learn the Way.
The above schools represent only a portion of the schools that accept the GI Bill. Download a PDF of the full list of schools here: GI Bill Schools
