Resources for Undocumented Students

Link to AB 540 and undocumented student resources.

As part of the California Education Code, AB 540 allows certain students who have attended high school in California for 3 or more years and earned a high school diploma or its equivalent to be exempt from paying nonresident tuition at California public universities, including UC San Diego.

Campus resources

• Financial Aid & Scholarships Office: Learn about the California Dream Act and how to apply; and about private scholarships that may be available to noncitizens and undocumented students.

• Student Legal Services: Obtain free, confidential counseling and education on all types of legal matters, including AB 540 issues and/or undocumented status.

• UC San Diego Cross-Cultural Center: Maintains a list of links offering information and assistance to AB 540 and undocumented students.

• University of California Undocumented Student Resources: Includes information about applying to UC, legislation basics, and links to systemwide resources.

• AB 540 University of California: Offers a wide variety of information for AB 540 students, families, and advisors (in both English and Spanish).

Other

• AB 540 CSU Resources: California State University provides application information, resource links, and answers to frequently asked questions from AB 540 students.

• American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA): A national association that provides legal services while advocating for fair immigration laws and policies. AILA offers licensed, professional, and free and low-cost help, and resources for researching immigration laws.

• Ayuda Financiara en Español: Financial aid information and links in Spanish.

• Beca Foundation: A nonprofit Latino scholarship organization that provides options for Latino students seeking to fund their pursuit of higher education.

• Border Angels: A local grassroots organization that protects the rights of immigrants.

• California Immigrant Policy Center: Promotes reasonable immigration policies and informs the public on the latest developments on immigration law and policy and their impacts on the public.

• The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles: Offers information on immigration rights and advocacy.

• DACA and Your Workplace Rights FAQ: A list of frequently asked questions about employment rights of DACA-approved individuals, prepared by the National Immigration Law Center.

• The Dream: The website for a national campaign to support DREAMers, with news, information, and helpful links.

• Immigrants Rising: Supporting students and the right to transform lives through education.

• Get Ready for College: The Minnesota Office of Higher Education provides resources and a list of scholarships available regardless of immigrant status.

• Latino College Dollars: Offers information on scholarships for Latino students, compiled by the Tomás Rivera Policy Institute.

• Legal Aid Society of San Diego: Provides assistance to low-income individuals and disadvantaged communities for a variety of legal matters, including immigration issues.

• Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund: Features policy analysis and eligibility requirements for AB 540 students.

• National Immigration Law Center: Offers information on the Federal DREAM Act, in addition to other resources on immigration law and policy.

• San Diego Immigrants & New Americans: This San Diego-based organization focuses on immigration reform, with an emphasis on educating the local immigrant community about its rights.