WHEREAS, International students contribute significantly to California’s economy, generating $6.4 billion in economic activity and supporting over 55,000 jobs statewide during the 2023–2024 academic year, with international students at U.S. community colleges contributing $2.2 billion nationally [1];
WHEREAS, International students in the Peralta Community College District pay approximately $446 per unit in nonresident tuition in addition to the $46 enrollment fee, compared to the $46 per‑unit cost for resident students, creating a nearly ten‑fold tuition disparity that becomes especially burdensome during their final semester [2];
WHEREAS, Federal regulations restrict international students to 20 hours per week of on‑campus employment, prohibit most off‑campus work, and render them ineligible for federal financial aid, leaving them with limited means to address financial hardship during their final term [3];
WHEREAS, Providing a one‑time final‑semester in‑state tuition adjustment would serve as a powerful retention strategy, enabling international students who have already invested heavily in California’s higher education system to complete their degrees and continue to contribute to the state through transfer, graduation, or Optional Practical Training (OPT) rather than dropping out due to last‑mile financial barriers, accumulated loans and tuition debts; Now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges sponsor legislative and regulatory action to establish a statewide nonresident tuition exemption allowing international students verified to be in their final semester at a California community college to be assessed at in-state tuition rates;
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges advocate for amendments to the California Education Code and Title 5 regulations to authorize colleges to implement a one-time final-semester resident tuition rate for eligible international students;
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges prioritize this issue during legislative visits, budget advocacy, and meetings with the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, including advocating for any necessary statutory or budgetary authority to implement this exemption statewide; and
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges transmit this resolution to the Board of Governors, the Chancellor’s Office, and relevant legislative committees, and that local student governments be encouraged to adopt parallel resolutions in support of this final-semester tuition exemption.
Citations:
[1]https://www.nafsa.org/policy-and-advocacy/policy-resources/nafsa-intern…
[2] https://losrios.edu/admissions/admissions-and-records-office/residency-…
[3] https://www.ice.gov/sevis/employment
[4]https://dailyemerald.com/175684/promotedposts/the-hidden-financial-chal…