This page summarizes UC Residence Policy and Guidelines and may not address all questions or cover all circumstances.

• Content on this website is merely for advising purposes and does not guarantee any residency determination.
• Although each campus may adopt different administrative procedures, University regulations regarding residency for tuition purposes are exactly the same for all UC campuses.
• Changes may be made in the residence requirements between the publication of this statement and the relevant residence determination date.

UC Residence Policy & Guidelines

The definition of residency varies between offices, such as for admissions or financial aid purposes.

This means that information from the admissions office (or on your financial aid award letter) does not necessarily mean you are a UC resident for purposes of tuition.

If a student does not submit the Statement of Legal Residence (SLR) or supporting documentation when requested, they will be classified as a nonresident and charged fees as a nonresident on their billing statement (BARC Account).

If a student does not submit the SLR and then becomes classified as a UC resident after the deadline, their classification will apply only to future quarters — they will not be retroactively reimbursed.

SUBMIT THE STATEMENT OF LEGAL RESIDENCE (SLR)

New Students

Students who do not complete the SLR before the deadline will be classified as a nonresident and will be responsible for all nonresident tuition.

Undergraduate Students:

Please check your “Tuition Fee Classification” in your applicant portal to determine next steps:

• Undetermined: You are required to submit the Statement of Legal Residence (SLR) immediately after submitting your Statement of Intent to Register (SIR).
  • You may need information from your parents to complete the SLR.
  • SUBMIT THE SLR HERE
• Resident: You are not required to submit the Statement of Legal Residence (SLR).
• Non-Resident: You are not required to submit the Statement of Legal Residence (SLR).
  • Email Residency@sa.ucsb.edu if you think this is incorrect.

Graduate Students:

All new graduate students are required to submit the Statement of Legal Residence (SLR) immediately after submitting their Statement of Intent to Register (SIR).

SUBMIT THE SLR HERE

Continuing Students

Continuing undergraduate and graduate students who are classified as nonresidents for tuition purposes and wish to be classified as UC residents for a future quarter, must complete the SLR:

• Following the fourth week of the quarter immediately prior to the quarter for which classification as a resident is requested, and
  before the end of the quarter for which a change in classification is desired.
  • Example: continuing nonresident students seeking a change of classification for fall quarter may file the SLR following the fourth week of the previous spring quarter through the last day of the fall quarter.

See deadlines below.

Additional information regarding seeking reclassification can be found here.

Undergraduate students may need information from their parents to complete the SLR.

Students who do not complete the SLR before the deadline will continue to be classified as a nonresident and will be responsible for all nonresident tuition.

Returning Students

Students who have been away from UCSB for three or more quarters must complete the SLR.

Undergraduate students may need information from their parents to complete the SLR.

See deadlines below.

Students who do not complete their SLR before the deadline will be classified as a nonresident and will be responsible for all nonresident tuition.

Supporting Documents

After an initial review of the SLR, the residence deputy may request additional information or documents. These might include:

• Driver’s licenses/ID cards
• Tax returns
• Vehicle, voter, or selective service registration
• California State social benefits eligibility
• Employment or housing verification
• Bank statements

This is your one opportunity to provide the residence deputy with clear and convincing proof of UC residence for purposes of tuition.

Once the residence deputy has made a decision about your residency, no additional information or documentation is accepted.

If you don't submit the requested information, the residence deputy will make a decision based on the documents or information available.

Deadlines

No SLR or documents will be accepted after the final deadline. Students are encouraged to submit their SLR and documents as soon as possible and by the priority deadline to ensure correct fee assessment (resident or nonresident).

New Students

Continuing Students

Returning Students

SLR Review & Determination

Once you submit all the requested supporting documents, the Residence Deputy will make a UC residency determination. This process can take anywhere from two to twelve weeks.

The Residence Deputy makes determinations on a case-by-case basis, strictly adhering to UC Residence Policy & Guidelines.

The Residence Deputy does not have authority to make exceptions to UC Residence Policy & Guidelines.

Determinations are highly dependent on these factors:

• Timely submission of the SLR
• Timely submission of supporting documents, if necessary
• The complexity of the student’s circumstances
  

Once determined, students can view their residency status by logging into GOLD and clicking on “Registration,” under the “Additional Registration Information” section.

Pending determinations will show a status of “unverified.”

This website summarizes UC Residence Policy and Guidelines and may not address all questions or cover all circumstances. Content on this website is merely for advising purposes and does not guarantee any residency determination. Although each campus may adopt different administrative procedures, University regulations regarding residency for tuition purposes are exactly the same for all UC campuses. Changes may be made in the residence requirements between the publication of this statement and the relevant residence determination date.

Beyond the Residency Staff in the Office of the Registrar, no other University personnel are authorized to supply information regarding residence requirements for tuition.