Supporting Undocumented Students

Jesus RamirezAssistant Director of Undergraduate AdmissionsDominican University of California

Denise PeñaAssociate Director of Financial AidDominican 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.

AB540

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:

attended a California high school for three 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

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.

CA DREAM Act

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

www.csumentor.edu

• 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.universityofcalifornia.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)

Independent Universities

Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities (AICCU) 76 Schools in California –

Western Association of Schools & Colleges (WASC) accredited

Each University functions independentlyAdmissions – No Index

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

AB540 Students• Student submits affidavit

after being admitted and before paying for registration fees

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

DeadlineNo Formal deadlineLast semester of HS (recommended)

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 studentsExplain the requirements for federal financial

aidKnow CA laws regarding undocumented

studentsLet 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/Repository-Resources-Undocumented-Students_2012.pdf

Thank you

Questions and Answers