““Advocating for Advocating for Educational Educational

Rights”Rights”

What is AB540? Assembly Bill 540Assembly Bill 540 Signed by Governor Gray Signed by Governor Gray

Davis on October 12, 2001 Davis on October 12, 2001 Assembly Member Assembly Member

Marco Antonio Firebaugh led Marco Antonio Firebaugh led effort for undocumented effort for undocumented studentsstudents– UC, CSU, & CCCUC, CSU, & CCC– In-state tuition @ CSUIn-state tuition @ CSU– $1,800.00 vs. $1,800.00 $1,800.00 vs. $1,800.00 ++ $282.00 $282.00

per unit (e.g., 12 units per per unit (e.g., 12 units per semester cost $5,184.00 or semester cost $5,184.00 or $10,368.00 per year)$10,368.00 per year)

What are the requirements?What are the requirements? Attend High School in California for 3 or more years Attend High School in California for 3 or more years Graduate from a California High School or attained Graduate from a California High School or attained

the equivalent of a high school diplomathe equivalent of a high school diploma Register or currently be enrolled at an accredited Register or currently be enrolled at an accredited

institution of higher education in Californiainstitution of higher education in California File an affidavit as required by individual institutions, File an affidavit as required by individual institutions,

stating that you will apply for legal residency as soon stating that you will apply for legal residency as soon as possibleas possible

You may not be a non-immigrant holding a valid You may not be a non-immigrant holding a valid lettered non-immigrant visa 5lettered non-immigrant visa 5

Common Struggles for Undocumented Students for Undocumented Students

No federal or state financial aidNo federal or state financial aid Not eligible to receive most loansNot eligible to receive most loans Lack a Social Security NumberLack a Social Security Number Not eligible to obtain a California Drivers Not eligible to obtain a California Drivers

License License Not eligible to officially participate in key Not eligible to officially participate in key

programs (e.g. EOP,SSS, & Up Bound programs (e.g. EOP,SSS, & Up Bound program & McNair)program & McNair)

Espíritu’s History Espíritu’s History What is Espíritu de Nuestro Futuro?What is Espíritu de Nuestro Futuro?

When was it founded?When was it founded? Espíritu de Nuestro Futuro wasEspíritu de Nuestro Futuro was founded on December 15, 2002.founded on December 15, 2002. During its first year, Espíritu wasDuring its first year, Espíritu was successful in assisting six studentssuccessful in assisting six students access partial funding for their access partial funding for their tuition. Espíritu has organized tuition. Espíritu has organized many successful fundraisers.many successful fundraisers.

Primary GoalsPrimary Goals Seek and secure funding for tuition Seek and secure funding for tuition

scholarships scholarships Continue to grow networking base to build Continue to grow networking base to build

relationshipsrelationships Empower students to rise from the shadows Empower students to rise from the shadows

of being invisible and voiceless to active of being invisible and voiceless to active advocates and mobilizing advocates and mobilizing

Build a familial community on the campus Build a familial community on the campus where students develop a strong sense of where students develop a strong sense of belongingbelonging

Espíritu’s Major Espíritu’s Major AccomplishmentsAccomplishments Hosted Conferences and Banquets Hosted Conferences and Banquets

Developed tuition scholarship fund Developed tuition scholarship fund Assisted students to graduation Assisted students to graduation Presented workshop and presentation at major gatherings Presented workshop and presentation at major gatherings Developed a strong network base across campuses and with Developed a strong network base across campuses and with

community memberscommunity members

EspEspííritu’s Involvement with the CA Dream Networkritu’s Involvement with the CA Dream Network

Statewide networkStatewide network Organizes around issues that Organizes around issues that

directly affect undocumented directly affect undocumented students via student students via student organizations at various organizations at various college campusescollege campuses

Mobilizes efforts that directly Mobilizes efforts that directly affect immigration reformaffect immigration reform

Maintains primary goal to Maintains primary goal to advocate for access into advocate for access into institutions of higher educationinstitutions of higher education

EspEspííritu’s Collaborative Efforts in Actionritu’s Collaborative Efforts in Action

Q&AQ&A

Open dialogue to learn innovative Open dialogue to learn innovative strategies from the audience strategies from the audience