Resources for AB540/Undocumented Students

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Resources for AB540/Undocumented Students

• Helping Students Access Finance
• Higher Education

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By the end of today you will know

• What does it mean to be undocumented?
• If a student is undocumented, can s/he go to
  college?
• If a student is undocumented, can s/he apply for
  financial aid?
• What is AB 540?
• What is the process of applying for college for
  undocumented students?
• Now that I know, what should/can I do to help?

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What does it mean to be undocumented?

• If you do not possess any legal documentation
  stating your status (i.e. U.S. citizenship, legal
  permanent residency, a green card or a visa) then
  you are considered undocumented.
• Undocumented students are born outside of the US,
  many of whom have lived in this country for
  almost their entire lives but reside in the US
  without the legal permission of the federal
  government.
• NOTE If your parents are undocumented but you
  are not, you are eligible to apply for financial
  aid.

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If a student is undocumented, can s/he go to
college?
YES!

• You can go to any college or university in
  California, if you meet the admissions
  requirements.
• You cannot be denied admission based on your
  immigration status.

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Assembly Bill 540

• Signed into law on October 12, 2001, authorizes
  undocumented students who meet specific criteria
  to pay in-state tuition at Californias public
  colleges and universities.
• Any undocumented student that does not have any
  form of legal documentation of their status and
  who meets the requirements, shall be exempt from
  paying nonresident tuition at all public colleges
  and universities in California.

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AB540 The Requirements

• Must have attended a California high school
• for 3 years or more,
• Must have graduated from a California high
• school or attained the equivalent (GED),
• Register or currently be enrolled at a public
• California college or university.

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AB540 The Requirements Contd
1 page legal document which states that you
fulfill all AB 540 requirements and will apply
for residency as soon as you are eligible to do
so. NOTE this does not mean you must be in the
process of applying for residency.
AB 540 Affidavit
You must file the affidavit at the campus you
will be attending.
Affidavit is completely confidential. It is
illegal for schools to share student information
with USCIS.
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AB540 The Facts

• The AB540 Affidavit is completely CONFIDENTIAL.
  Colleges and Universities cannot share the
  information with USCIS.
• AB540 does not apply to private colleges and
  universities.
• AB540 does not grant legal residency to
  qualifying students.
• AB540 does not grant state or federal financial
  aid eligibility.
• AB540 only provides an exemption to the
  requirements to pay nonresident tuition

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Can undocumented students apply for financial
aid?

• Undocumented students do not qualify for state or
  federal financial aid.
• If s/he is in the process of obtaining residency
  s/he may already be eligible for aid.

UNDOCUMENTED STUDENTS CAN PAY FOR COLLEGE BY

• Applying for scholarships that do not require
  U.S. citizenship or residency.
• Being realistic! Making smart choices by
  assessing personal circumstances.
• Using creative ways to fundraise (i.e. raffles,
  donations, etc!)

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What are AB 540 students eligible for?

• Application Fee Waivers (offered by both UC and
  CSU)
• AB 540 students qualify for UC application fee
  waivers if they fit the economic guidelines but
  do not qualify for CSU application fee waivers.
• Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) Program
  for low income and first generation college
  students that provides additional academic/
  personal support, financial assistance and access
  to a wider range of other services.
• (offered at CSU and UC campuses)
• AB 540 students are not eligible for CSU EOP but
  can apply to UC EOP. Please have students contact
  each EOP office personally to inquire about EOP
  and other support services available for
  undocumented students on campus.
• Extended Opportunity and Programs Services
  (EOPS) a state funded program which provides
  EOPS grants and educational services to students.
  
• (offered at CA Community College campuses)
• AB 540 students are not eligible. Please contact
  Student Services personally to inquire about any
  other AB 540 support services on campus.

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Scholarship Tip for Undocumented/AB540 Students

• Scholarship providers have their own eligibility
  requirements. Make sure to obtain current
  information by contacting each provider directly.
• Scholarship monies are limited. Do not rely
  heavily on these.
• Begin looking for scholarships as early as
  possible. Search within your school, school
  district and local community.
• Find creative ways to fund your education (i.e.
  ask family members, teachers, mentors, local
  business or large companies)
• Network. Get to know current AB540 support groups
  in high school, community and the college you
  will be attending.

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What is the process of applying for college for
undocumented students?

• You have a right to higher education and it is
  going to take much work and dedication on your
  part. You can do it!
• You have to be eligible before you apply. Go talk
  to a college counselor as early as possible to
  receive all the information you need about
  planning for college including cost of
  attendance, college applications, entrance exams,
  fee waivers, and available resources for
  undocumented students. Being informed is crucial!
• Create your own educational plan. Not everyone is
  the same!
• Check if you are eligible to file for AB 540
  status.
• Talk to AB 540 College students to get advice
  about applying to, attending college and what to
  avoid.
• Research scholarships and other ways to pay for
  college.

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Now that I know, what should/can I do?

• Pass the info around! Demystify the myth.
• Get involved! There are many organizations
  working to pass legislation and advocate on
  behalf of students. (i.e. DREAM ACT, California
  DREAM ACT)
• Connect with AB540 Student Groups (the more
  resources we accumulate, the better we can serve
  ALL students).

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Useful Websites

• www.maldef.org Scholarships/AB 540 Info
• www.salef.org Scholarships
• www.ucop.edu UC
• www.csumentor.edu CSU
• www.cccco.edu California CC