VACAA & Exemptions

 

Welcome to Cal Poly! We understand that managing out-of-state tuition can be one of the more complex parts of your transition. Our team is dedicated to ensuring that every military-connected student, whether a Veteran, Active Duty member, or dependent—can access the "in-state" tuition rates they have earned through service.

Various federal and state laws, including the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act (VACAA) and the Maritime Academy MIST programs are designed to bridge the gap between nonresident costs and resident tuition. This page serves as your guide to understanding which exemptions apply to you and how to activate them.

Cal Poly is dedicated to supporting our military-connected students by ensuring access to fair tuition rates in accordance with federal and state regulations. We understand that navigating residency requirements can be complex, and we're here to help.

We are here to advocate for you throughout this process. If you have questions about your specific residency status or the documentation required, please connect with us through the Virtual Center or Ask a Question.

Important Reminders for Your Success:

• Waiver vs. Residency: A VACAA waiver provides you with the in-state tuition rate, but it does not technically change your legal residency status with the university.
• Stay Continuously Enrolled: Once your waiver is approved, it stays in place as long as you remain continuously enrolled at Cal Poly. 
• Benefit Usage: Students using an approved waiver do not need to be actively using their VA benefit. They only need to prove eligibility for a qualifying benefit.
• Avoid the "Drop": If your waiver is still pending near the payment deadline, please contact us so we can discuss options to ensure your classes are protected while the paperwork is finalized.
• Financial independence: Out-of-state students who hope to file a residency appeal to be reclassified based on financial independence or the supporting parents residency in the state, should review the CSU Residency for Tuition Purposes page.

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VACAA Waivers:

Out of state students who are eligible for VA educational benefits (Post 9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill (Selected Reserve), Fry Scholarship, Ch 35 - Dependents Educational Assistance and VR&E) are eligible to have Cal Poly's out-of-state student fees waived, regardless of if they are using the VA benefit or not. 

• Residency Note for Federal Eligibility: While federal law requires these individuals to have a residence in California, Cal Poly acknowledges that intent to establish residency can be demonstrated through various means, including documentation. A dorm address or college housing is allowed for establishing a residence. 
• Exemption Continuation: Once approved, your exemption remains active as long as you are continuously enrolled, even if your (or your sponsor's) military status or location changes.
• Action Required: For all individuals listed above using VA educational benefits, please follow the process outlined for requesting a VACAA waiver as soon as your substantiating documentation is available and you have established a residence in California.
• Students who are granted a VACAA waiver are not changing their residency status. 
• Students with a VACAA waiver are not eligible to have a Cal Vet College Fee Waiver (CVCFW) applied to their student account. 

TASK	LINK
1. Request a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from the VA	CLICK HERE
2. When the student has a California address (dorm, apartment...), they must change one address in their student portal to reflect their new address
3. Submit a VACAA request	CLICK HERE
4. The waiver request will be reviewed by Cal Poly and the student will be notified of the decision via their Cal Poly email

 

California state law also provides specific exemptions from nonresident tuition for military service members, veterans, and their dependents who meet certain criteria.

Exemption Continuation: Once approved, your exemption remains active as long as you are continuously enrolled, even if your (or your sponsor's) military status or location changes.

• Active Duty Service Members
  • If you are stationed in California on Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders, you are generally exempt from nonresident tuition.
  • Note: This does not apply to those on temporary orders for education only.
    • Required Documents:
    • Active Duty Statement: A letter from your CO or Personnel Officer confirming you are on active duty in CA.
    • Military Orders: A copy of your PCS orders (or other service documents) showing your assignment date to California.
• Dependents of Active Duty
  • • You may qualify for an exemption if your sponsor is stationed in California.
      • Required: CO/Personnel statement confirming sponsor's CA duty station and proof you were claimed as a tax dependent.
• Veterans
  • • You are eligible for an exemption if you were stationed in CA for 1+ year immediately before discharge. (Valid for 1 year; must be used within 2 years of discharge).
      • Required: DD-214, orders showing CA assignment, and a signed Residency Affidavit.
• Dependents of Veterans
  • You are exempt if you are eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® or Chapter 35 (DEA) and live in California.
    • Required Document: Your VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE).
• ROTC Cadets
  • ROTC enrollment alone does not qualify you for an exemption. You become eligible once you officially contract/enlist in the Armed Forces.
    • Required Documents: DoD ID Card, enlistment contract, or official orders.

A student classified as a nonresident for a prior term may seek reclassification in any subsequent term; however, reclassification requires that, in addition to satisfying the requirements of eligible immigration status, physical presence, and intent to remain indefinitely in the state, the student must also satisfy the requirement of financial independence as outlined in Title 5 CCR § 41905.5. The student must contact the appropriate person in the campus admissions office, complete the approved Residence Questionnaire Form, and provide supporting documents.

Reclassification: Financial Independence Requirement

• Any nonresident student requesting reclassification to a resident for tuition purposes must demonstrate financial independence
• Student has not and will not be claimed as an exemption for state and federal tax purposes by the student’s parent in the calendar year the reclassification application is made and in any of the three calendar years prior to the reclassification application
• Student has not and will not receive more than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750) per year in financial assistance from their parent in the calendar year the reclassification application is made and in any of the three calendar years prior to the reclassification application
• Student has not lived and will not live for more than six weeks in the home of their parent during the calendar year the reclassification application is made and in any of the three calendar years prior to the reclassification application

Note: Students who receive a government scholarship and/or financial assistance should be viewed the same as state and federal financial aid, and athletics grants-is-aid; and should not be counted as parental support.

 

Effective Fall 2020 academic term, if the student meets at least one of the following criteria, the student does not have to meet the financial independence requirement.  Student must provide the campus admissions office supporting documents (e.g., state income tax returns, court documents, marriage certificate, military order form) that demonstrate they meet the criteria.

• Dependent on a parent who has California residence for more than one year immediately preceding the residence determination date;
• Enrolled in a graduate or post‐baccalaureate program, regardless of age;
• Turned 24 years of age by the residence determination date;
• Married or registered domestic partner as of the residence determination date;
• Active-duty members serving in the US Armed Forces
• Veteran of the US Armed Forces
• Legal dependent other than spouse or registered domestic partner
• Former ward of the court, foster youth or both parents are deceased
• Declared by a court to be an emancipated minor
• Unaccompanied youth who is homeless or at risk of becoming homeless

Example 1: If a student married in 2024, in order to meet the financial independence criteria, the student must have been married by September 20, 2024 (Fall Residence Determination Date). Document required: Marriage certificate.

Example 2: If a student turns 24 years of age in 2024, the student must turn 24 by September 20, 2024 (Fall Residence Determination Date).  Documents required: California ID/Driver’s license.

Example 3: If the student is dependent on California residents, the parents must reside in California by September 19, 2023, in order to meet the requirement of more than one year immediately preceding the residence determination date requirement for Fall 2024. Optional documents required: CA tax return, CA Identification Card/Driver’s license.

 

Students financially dependent on nonresident parents are not eligible for reclassification. As with the initial residence classification, the campus must review the information presented by the student in connection with any subsequent reclassification request and notify the student of its decision. If reclassification is denied, the student has the right to appeal if they meet the criteria for appeals.

The Maritime In-State Tuition (MIST) program is an admissions pathway that allows eligible out-of-state students to pay the same tuition rates as California residents.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the benefit? Unlike the former WUE program (which charged 150% of in-state tuition), MIST provides the full California resident rate, significantly lowering your total cost of attendance from enrollment through graduation.
• Who is eligible? MIST is available to students pursuing a USCG license program who are from the following states or territories:

AK, HI, OR, WA, Guam, American Samoa, CNMI, Palau, Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands.

• Do I need to apply? No separate application is required. Eligible students are automatically considered upon admission based on program capacity and their home state/territory.
• Does this guarantee admission? No. Admission and financial aid decisions are made independently of the MIST program.

Have Questions?

For more details on eligibility or the MIST transition, please contact the Cal Poly Admissions Office at admissions@calpoly.edu or call 805-756-2311.