(a)
A community college district may charge nonresident applicants who are both citizens and residents of a foreign country a processing fee not to exceed the lesser of: (1) the actual cost of processing an application and other documentation required by the federal government, or (2) one hundred dollars ($100), which may be deducted from the tuition fee at the time of enrollment.
(b)
No processing fee shall be charged to an applicant who would be eligible for an exemption from nonresident tuition pursuant to Section 76140 or who can demonstrate economic hardship. For purposes of this section, the governing board of each community college district that chooses to impose the fee authorized by this section shall adopt a definition of economic hardship that includes the financial circumstances of a person who is a victim of persecution or discrimination in the foreign country in which the applicant is a citizen and resident, or who is a recipient of benefits under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program described in Parts A and F of Title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Secs. 601 et seq.), the Supplemental Income/State Supplementary Program, or a general assistance program.