Six mandatory resident tuition waiver programs exist under current state law:
- California Veterans Waiver for children of disabled or deceased veterans (Education Code section 66025.3)
- Alan Pattee Waiver for dependents of deceased law enforcement or fire-suppression personnel (Education Code section 68120)
- Current or former foster youth (Education Code section 66025.3)
- California residents who were dependents of victims killed in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks (Education Code section 68121)
- Exonerated persons (Education Code section 69000)
- Student trustees (Education Code section 66602)
The CSU also offers systemwide tuition waivers for employees and their dependents pursuant to collective bargaining agreements and CSU policy.
Other discretionary tuition and fee waiver and exchange programs have been established by the CSU Board of Trustees and California statute for programs such as high school students participating in special programs, California residents age 60 and older or certain study abroad students.
In 2019-20, 15,327 tuition waivers were granted to CSU students, totaling approximately $77.1 million. The state has not provided any General Fund support for any CSU tuition waiver program since 1992-93.
Tuition Fee Waivers by Category 2019-20
Cal Vet
| 9,689
| $54,867,720 |
| Alan Pattee | 30
| $170,409 |
Employees and Dependents
| 3,447
| $12,852,536 |
Other Discretionary Waivers
| 772
| $4,166,445 |
HS Student in Special Programs
| 1,389
| $5,027,634 |
Total
| 15,327
| $77,084,744 |