As a UC gradute student I was told that the following steps would establish residency: Open a bank account at a local branch with my CA address as contact info, and if possible, change or cancel other accountsRegister to vote in CaliforniaGet a CA drivers license.I did the first two within a week of arriving, and delayed getting a drivers license until February because I did not drive a car. I was able to be approved as a CA resident after the first year. (I think you are asking for undergraduates, so this may not be pertinentu00a0 to you specifically, but it also answers the question)