Skip to content
  • Students
  • Online
  • Staff
  • Search
  • Current Students
  • Online Students
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Visitors & Community
  • Athletics
search
  • Apply Now
  • Login myGav
  • iLearn

Gavilan College
  • search
  • Apply
  • ACADEMICS
    Degrees & Programs

    Information:

    • Schedule of Classes, Dates and Deadlines
    • Catalog
    • Directory
    • Online Classes

    Other Classes

    • Community Education
    • TJ Owens Gilroy Early College Academy (GECA)
    • Continuing Education Instruction
    • Service Learning

    Departments:

    • All Departments
    • Allied Health
    • Business
    • Child Development
    • Communication
    • Computer Science

    More Departments:

    • Cosmetology
    • Digital Media
    • English
    • English as a Second Language
    • Math
  • ADMISSIONS
    & Records

    New Students

    • Homepage for Admissions
    • Enrollment Information
    • Math and English Placement

    Just For

    • High School Students
    • International Students
    • Veterans

    All Students

    • College Catalog
    • Fees / Costs
    • Forms

    More:

    • Parking
    • Schedule of Classes, Dates and Deadlines
    • Transcripts
  • FINANCIAL AID
    Pay for College

    Information

    • Financial Aid Home
    • Forms

    More

    • Making a Budget
    • Questions & Answers

    Programs

    • Current Scholarships
    • Enrollment Info

    More Services

    • Staff and Contact Information
  • STUDENT SERVICES
    Counseling & Support

    Core Services

    • Counseling
    • Health Services
    • All Other Core Services

    Support Programs

    • AEC (Disability Services)
    • All Support Programs
    • El Centro (Basic Needs)
    • All Student Services

    Support Resources

    • Student Parent
    • Tutoring & Writing Center
    • Technology Help & FAQ
    • All Other Support Services

    Student Life

    • Clubs
    • Associated Students (ASGC)
    • More Student Life
  • LIBRARY
    Research & Resources

    Research

    • Library Homepage
    • Books
    • Library Research Guides

    Databases

    • eBooks
    • Articles Databases
    • Full List of All Library Databases

    Library

    • Ask a Librarian
    • FAQs
    • Library Services

    More Services

    • Faculty Services
    • Selected Websites by Subject
  • ABOUT GAVILAN
    Now & History

    College Information

    • About Gavilan
    • Administration
    • Board of Trustees
    • Budget Information
    • Campus Safety

    Information

    • Community Education
    • Guided Pathways
    • Institutional Learning Outcomes
    • Maps & Directions
    • Office of the President

    More

    • Personnel Directory
    • Research Office
    • News
    • Outreach & Recruitment
    • Measure X

    Community

    • Alumni
    • Community Spirit Awards
    • Events
    • Facilities Rental
    • Foundation
banner of graduates
Home > Admissions & Records > AB 540

AB 540

What is AB 540? 

AB 540 is a law that provides in-state tuition benefits for undocumented and out-of-state students who attend or will attend a public university in California. 

Under California law AB 540, certain nonresident students are exempt from paying nonresident supplemental tuition. 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.

Resident (In-State) Tuition:
(applies to AB 540 eligible students) 
$46 per unit

Non-Resident (Out-of-State) Tuition: 
$299 per unit

Eligibility for AB 540

Students (including undocumented students) who, for various reasons, are classified as nonresidents may be eligible.

To qualify for AB 540 status, students must also meet the following eligibility requirements: 

  1. Student must have attended a combination of California high school, adult school, and California Community College for the equivalent of three years or more OR attained credits earned in California from a California high school equivalent to three or more years of full-time high school course work and attended a combination of elementary, middle and/or high schools in California for a total of three or more years. 
  2. Student must have graduated from a California high school or attained the equivalent prior to the start of the term (passing the GED or California High School Proficiency exam) OR completed an associate degree from a California Community College OR completed the minimum requirements at a California Community College for transfer to the California State University or the University of California.
  3. Student must be register as an entering student at, or current enrollment at, an accredited California institution of higher education
  4. Student must file an AB 540 California Nonresident Tuition Exemption Request Form that includes an affidavit stating that if the student is a non-citizen without current or valid immigration status, the student has filed an appliation to legalize immigration status or will file an appliation as soon as they are eligible to do so. Completed forms must be submitted to the Admissions and Records Office located in the Student Services building
  5. Submit a copy of your high school diploma and sealed high school transcripts to the Gavilan College Admissions office for verification.

Effective January 2023

AB 540 (expanded by SB 68 & SB 1141) enables students to count years spent at a California Community College (CCC) and adult school towards eligibility for in-state tuition. Additionally, the completion of an associate degree or satisfaction of the minimum requirements to transfer to the University of California (UC) or California State University (CSU) will meet the degree or unit requirements. SB 1141 removed the two-year limit of credits from the California Community Colleges (CCC). These new eligibility criteria expanded possibilities for students educated in CA to qualify for in-state tuition and state based financial aid at CCCs, CSUs, and UCs. 

If you previously were not eligible for AB 540 status, you may be eligible with the expansion to AB 540 with SB 68 and SB 1141

SB68 SB1141 requirements

If I am undocumented, am I eligible for financial aid?

If you meet the AB 540 eligibility requirements, you may be eligible to receive state-based financial aid as well as scholarships.

It is important to complete the California Dream Act Application every year before March 2 to be considered for a California Promise Grant (which pays for the cost of tuition) as well as Cal Grants (additional cash state aid).

For additional information, visit Financial Aid.

AB 540 Checklist

Complete the following steps if you think you meet AB 540 eligibility. If you are not sure, you can use this tool to help you see if you may be eligible to pay in-state tuition. Please note that the Admissions Office makes all final decisions regarding eligibility.

  • Complete the Gavilan College application
  • Apply for financial aid by submitting the California Dream Act Application online by the March 2 deadline.
  • Submit the California Nonresident Tuition Exemption Request Form to the Admissions Office along with an unofficial high school transcript. If your transcript does not have your graduation date, you must also bring your high school diploma to the Admissions Office.

California Nonresident Tuition Exemption Request

Complete and sign this form to request exemption from nonresident tuition charged to nonresident students.

Once determined to be eligible, you will continue to receive the exemption as long as you fulfill eligibility requirements or until the college or university no longer offers this exemption.  

Applying for this exemption does not alter your responsibility to pay, by the campus deadline, any nonresident tuition and associated fees that may be due before your eligibility is determined.

This form should be used instead of residency reclassification if you are undocumented or a U.S. citizen and meet the requirements. This exemption cannot be used if you are not living in California.  

UndocuALLY image for Gavilan
visit our Instagram Page

 

QUICKLINKS

  • Admissions Home
  • Need Help
  • AB 540
  • Apply for Admission
  • California Residency
  • Current Fees
  • Diplomas
  • Forms for Students
  • Gav 4 Free
  • High School Students
  • High Step Program
  • International Students
  • List of Services and Programs
  • Login Issues
  • Orientation
  • Payment Deadline
  • Placement English and Math
  • Prerequisite Information 
  • Solicitar la Admisión
  • Summer/Fall 2023
  • Spring 2023
  • Transcripts
  • Undocumented Students
  • Veterans
  • Waitlist Information
Contact Admissions and Records virtually- Get Help


CONTACT

Admissions and Records Department

Gavilan College
408-846-4954
admissions@gavilan.edu



Hours

Monday - Thursday
In-Person; 8:30am - 4:30pm, Virtually: 11:00am-2:00pm

Friday
In-Person and Virtual 9:00am - 1:00pm

Hours are subject to change.
Please contact Admissions and Records for details

STUDENT RESOURCES

  • Admissions & Records
  • Bookstore
  • CARES Act Emergency Grant
  • College Catalog
  • Counseling
  • Financial Aid
  • Just Report It
  • Library
  • Schedule
  • Student Services
  • Student Tech Support

QUICKLINKS

  • A-Z Index
  • BoardDocs (Meeting agendas and minutes)
  • Board of Trustees
  • Calendar and Deadlines
  • Employment
  • Gavilan College Educational Foundation
  • Maps & Directions

Board Docs

 

OTHER INFO

  • ADA Transition Plan
  • Accreditation
  • Associate Degrees For Transfer
  • Campus Drinking Water
  • Campus Safety Information & Disclosures
  • Gainful Employment
  • Office of the President
  • Register to Vote
  • Student Success Scorecard
  • Student Learning Outcomes
  • Title IX

CONTACT US

  • Accessibility
  • Contact Form
  • Employee Directory
  • Office / Department Directory
  • Public Records Request
  • Report an Incident
  • Website Feedback

Gavilan College
5055 Santa Teresa Blvd
Gilroy, CA 95020
(408) 848 - 4800