General Information

Any student, other than one with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) nonimmigrant visa status (see exception below for students who have been granted T or U visa status), who meets all of the following requirements, shall be exempt from paying nonresident tuition at the California Community Colleges, the University of California, and the California State University (all public colleges and universities in California).

AB-540/ AB-2000/ AB-68

In order to qualify for AB-540/AB-2000/SB-68 status in California, the student must meet ALL of the following four requirements:

Requirement 1: Attendance at California schools. This requirement may be met in either of the following two ways:

A) Total attendance (or attainment of credits earned) in California equivalent to three or more years of full-time attendance at California high schools, California adult schools**, campuses of the California Community Colleges*, or a combination of these;

OR

B) Three or more years of full-time California high school coursework, and a total of three or more years of attendance in California elementary schools, California secondary schools, or a combination of California elementary and secondary schools.

*Note - Full-time attendance at a California community college means either 12 units of credit per semester (or quarter equivalent per year) or a minimum of 420 class hours per year (or semester or quarter equivalent per year) in non-credit courses. Attendance in credit courses at a California community college counted towards this requirement shall not exceed a total of two years of full-time attendance.

**Note - Full-time attendance at a California adult school means a minimum of 420 class hours of attendance for each school year in classes or courses authorized by Education Code.

Requirement 2: Completion of a course of study. This requirement may be met in any of the following three ways:

A) Graduation from a California high school or equivalent (such as a GED);

OR

B) Attainment of an associate degree from a California community college;

OR

C) Fulfillment of the minimum transfer requirements established for the University of California or the California State University for students transferring from a California community college.

Requirement 3: Registration. Requires registration as an entering student at, or current enrollment at, an accredited institution of higher education in California.

Requirement 4: Affidavit of student without lawful immigration status. Students without lawful immigration status must file an affidavit with their college or university stating that the student has either filed an application to legalize his or her immigration status, or will file an application as soon as he or she is eligible to do so. This affidavit is confidential and this information will note be shared with other agencies.

Steps to Apply at Ventura College

Step 1: Apply for admission

Follow instructions to create an OpenCCC account  to submit your free online application to VC. It could take up to 24 hours for you to receive your new student confirmation email.

Step 2: Submit California Nonresident Tuition Exemption Request form

In order to qualify for AB-540 status, students must submit the California Nonresident Tuition Exemption Request form to the Ventura College Admissions & Records office along with official transcripts/attendance records (high school, adult school, and/or community college) that verify requirements 1 and 2 listed above. 

For assistance, please use the Immigrants Rising online California In-State Tuition Tool.

Students who are eligible for AB 540 are also eligible for CA state financial aid through the CA Dream Act Application.

Note: AB-2000 also expanded the definition to include students who have been granted T or U visa status. Students who are nonimmigrants, other than those with T or U visa status as noted above, [for example, those who hold F (student) visas, B (visitor) visas, etc.] are NOT eligible for this exemption.

Please note, AB-540 does NOT establish legal residency for immigrant students or for undocumented students who are eligible for AB-540. It only exempts students from paying non-resident fees. Undocumented students who have questions about their legal residency should consult an immigration attorney.

Step 3: Activate your MyVCCCD student portal account

Check your email in-box for an email with the subject line “Welcome to Ventura College!” This email will contain both your student ID number (write it down!) and a link to activate your MyVCCCD student portal. You must set up your portal via this link before you can access the portal through the Ventura College website. Please note that the link to set up your portal expires 10 days after it is sent!

Step 4: Complete the online New Student Orientation

After you have set up your MyVCCCD student portal account, log in and click on the MySUCCESS tab to find the New Student Orientation. After you complete the modules, you will receive a Certificate of Completion, which you can print. You must complete the New Student Orientation online in order to attend a counseling session or meet with a counselor.

Step 5: Register for classes

Register for classes online by visiting the my.vcccd.edu portal; if you need assistance please visit Student Connect. To register for classes in-person, please visit the Admissions & Records Office. Be sure to pay all fees immediately upon registration if you do not qualify for the CCPG or the VC Promise. Payment plans are available online