The AB 540, officially the California Nonresident Tuition Exemption Application, is a form you can fill out to receive in-state tuition and be eligible for state aid such as the Cal Grant. The AB 540 is a requirement to submit the CADAA. While it is a common way to establish in-state tuition eligibility, it is not the only way.
Importantly, the AB 540 is concerned with residency and not citizenship or documentation status. Both undocumented and documented students can submit an AB 540.
The AB 540 can also benefit students who submitted a FAFSA and/or whose status is documented. For example, students who are recently moved from another state and are not yet California residents (i.e., they have not been a resident for a year and a day) but who had previously gone to school in California, may be able to submit an AB 540 in order to receive in-state tuition again.
To submit an AB 540, you must have completed high school or an equivalent in California and spent 3 or more years or equivalent at California schools. If you are undocumented, you must also state that you are in the process of adjusting your immigration status or will do so as soon as you are eligible.
Submit your AB 540 to Admissions & Records.
For more details, visit the CSAC AB 540 page or the Admissions Forms page.