Supporting Undocumented
Students
Denise Peña
Associate Director of
Financial Aid
Dominican University of California
Jesus Ramirez
Assistant Director of
Undergraduate Admissions
Dominican University of California
Agenda
1.
Overview & Background
2. Laws affecting Undocumented Students
3. Admissions Process
4. Financial Resources
5. Resources for Undocumented Students
6. Q&A
Background
Undocumented Student: [uhn-dok-yuh-men-tid
stood-nt] (noun) a foreign national who: (1) entered
the United States without inspection or with
fraudulent documents; or (2) entered legally as a
nonimmigrant but then violated the terms of his or
her status and remained in the United States without
authorization (as defined by the National
Immigration Law Center) see also: DREAMer
The Numbers
Background Legislation
 Plyler vs. Doe - In 1982, this
Supreme Court ruling
determined that a K-12 education
is a fundamental and protected
right and will be provided to all
children in the United States,
regardless of citizenship or
residency status.
 Family Educational and Privacy
Act (FERPA) – This federal law
protects the privacy of student
records at educational
institutions, including
elementary and secondary
schools, colleges, and
universities.
AB 540 is a California state law that
allows qualified undocumented
students to pay in-state tuition instead
of out-of-state tuition at California’s
public higher education
institutions. Students who:
AB540
 attended a California high school for three
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
years AND
graduated from a California highs school or
attained the equivalent of a high school diploma
(GED OR CA High School Proficiency Exam) AND
register or be currently enrolled at an accredited
institution of public higher education AND
sign a statement (Affidavit) with the college or
university AND
not hold a valid non-immigrant visa such as visas
F, J, H, and L
CA DREAM Act
AB130
AB131
allows students who
meet AB 540 criteria to
apply for and receive
non-state funded
scholarships for public
colleges and
universities.
allows students who
meet AB 540 criteria to
apply for and receive
state-funded financial
aid such as
institutional grants,
community college fee
waivers, Cal Grant and
Chafee Grant.
In State Tuition
Federal DREAM Act
The Development, Relief,
and Education for Alien
Minors (DREAM) Act is
a bipartisan bill that
would create a pathway
for the legalization of
undocumented students
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
Creates new opportunities for about 1.7 million
undocumented youth who:



came to the U.S. before the age of 16
have lived in the U.S. continuously for at least five years
have graduated from high school or obtained a GED
Qualifying immigrant youth can request a temporary two-year reprieve
from deportation and apply for: a work permit, a Social Security
Number, temporary lawful presence and a more tangible future in the
United States.
Unfortunately, this legislation does not qualify eligible students for
Federal Financial Aid.
California State University
•Admissions: Eligibility Index
•A-G (at least a 2.0)
•SAT or ACT
• Service Area: Based on location
•Deadline: November 30th
•AB540 students: Submit Affidavit for
each campus immediately after
applying
www.csumentor.edu
University of California
•Admissions:
•A-G (at least a 3.0)
•SAT or ACT
•SAT Subject
•Personal Statement
•Guarantee Admissions: Eligible students
•Deadline: November 30th
•AB540 students:
• Citizenship and SSN should be left
blank on application
• Submit Affidavit after being admitted
and you commit to University (each UC
has its own affidavit)
www.universityofcalifornia.edu
Independent Universities
Association of Independent California
Colleges and Universities (AICCU)
 76 Schools in California – Western
Association of Schools & Colleges
(WASC) accredited
 Each University functions
independently
Admissions – No Index

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
A-G Courses (recommended)
SAT or ACTs
Essay
Letter(s) of Recommendation
Portfolio/Audition
Interview
Application Process: Deadlines will
vary
• Early Decision/Action
• Rolling Admissions
• Priority Deadlines
• Application Deadlines
AB540 students:
•CommonApp – Citizenship Status:
Other
•SSN – Leave blank
•Prepared general AB540 affidavit
for each
•Contact Admissions Counselor
www.aiccu.edu
California Community Colleges
The California Community Colleges is
the largest system of higher education
in the nation, with 2.6 million students
attending 112 colleges (www.cccco.edu).
Admissions
•Apply through cccapply.org
•Applying in Spanish (about 20
institutions)
•18 yrs and older with HS diploma
•Benefit from education
Deadline
No Formal deadline
Last semester of HS (recommended)
AB540 Students
•Student submits affidavit after
being admitted and before
paying for registration fees
Financial Aid Programs
Financial Resources
The Counselor’s Role
Legally, K-12 school personnel cannot
inquire about the immigration status of
students or their parents.
 Reach out as early as possible to all students
 Explain the requirements for federal financial aid
 Know CA laws regarding undocumented students
 Let students know there are scholarships available
Resources
 Dream Act Portal www.dreamact.info
 Dream Activist www.dreamactivist.org
 California Dream Network http://www.cadreamnetwork.org
 Mexican American Legal Defense Education Fund www.maldef.org
 National Immigration Law Center www.nilc.org
 Pew Hispanic Center www.pewhispanic.org
 Public Policy Institute of California www.ccpic.org
 United We Dream www.unitedwedream.org
 Urban Institute www.urban.org
 Educators for Fair Consideration www.E4FC.org
 I.D.E.A.S at UCLA http://ideasla.org/resources.html
 California Student Aid Commission www.csac.ca.gov/dream_act
 College Board’s Repository of Resources for Undocumented Students
http://media.collegeboard.com/digitalServices/pdf/diversity/RepositoryResources-Undocumented-Students_2012.pdf
Thank you
Questions and Answers