BILL ANALYSIS
AB 669
Page 1
CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
AB 669 (Fong)
As Amended September 3, 2009
Majority vote
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|ASSEMBLY: |73-0 |(May 14, 2009) |SENATE: |40-0 |(September 8, |
| | | | | |2009) |
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Original Committee Reference: HIGHER ED.
SUMMARY : Authorizes the University of California (UC), the
California State University (CSU), and the California Community
Colleges (CCC) to classify a student as a resident for tuition
purposes until he or she has resided in the state for the
minimum time needed to become a resident, if the student meets
the following criteria:
1)Currently resides in California.
2)Is 19 years of age and younger.
3)Was a ward of the state or was served by California's child
welfare system.
The Senate amendments make this bill permissive and clarify that
the student must reside in California.
AS PASSED BY THE ASSEMBLY , this bill required UC, CSU, and CCC
to classify foster youth as residents for tuition purposes.
FISCAL EFFECT : None
COMMENTS : When foster youth turn 18 years old, they are
emancipated and expected to be independent, averaging
approximately 4,000 each year in California. Only 20% of those
who graduate from high school attempt to attend college,
compared to 60% of their peers. CCC served approximately 6,000
self-identified former foster youth in 2007-08. California has
enacted several programs to help foster youth transition to
postsecondary education, yet only 1%-5% graduate from college.
In order to be considered a California resident for tuition
purposes at UC, CSU, or CCC, students must have resided in
AB 669
Page 2
California for one year and one day immediately prior to a date
established by the segments to determine residency for that
term, semester, or quarter. The segments also determine the
documentation required as proof of residency. In general,
students' residency extends from their parents. Another path to
residency is provided by AB 540 (Firebaugh), Chapter 814,
Statutes of 2001, which exempts specified nonresidents of
California from paying nonresident tuition at CSU and CCC if
they attended a California high school for three or more years,
as specified.
The state has authorized several exceptions to the residency
requirement, including self-supporting students, certain minor
students, students under the care of an adult other than their
parents, Native American students, Olympic athletes training in
California, and members of the armed forces and their
dependents, among others. While many foster youth qualify for
some of these exceptions, recently emancipated foster youth who
have not been under the care of an adult for at least two years
do not. Further, because foster youth may be moved around in
placement, the documentation of continuous care and control can
be very burdensome.
AB 540 should provide residency for foster youth at UC and CSU,
where a high school diploma is required for admission; however,
CCC also educate students who have not graduated from high
school, providing them an opportunity to continue their
education.
The fees charged to non-California residents are intended to
cover the cost of the subsidy that is generated by California
taxpayers. Tuition and fees for a full-time undergraduate
student in 2008-09, not including registration and education
fees, are:
Resident Nonresident
UC $7,126 $27,724
CSU $3,048 $10,170
CCC $20 per unit $190 per unit for a 30 unit academic
year
Analysis Prepared by : Sandra Fried / HIGHER ED. / (916)
319-3960
AB 669
Page 3
FN: 0003068