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

• 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.

• 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.

• Frequently Asked Questions from Undocumented Students about the UC Application for Undergraduate Admission: An FAQ prepared by the University of California Office of the President for undocumented students completing the UC application.

• How to Support College-Bound Undocumented Students: Advice for Parents: A guide (PDF) for parents of undocumented students, prepared by E4FC.

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

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

• Steps to Take after Approval of Your DACA Application (I-821D) and Employment Authorization Document (I-765), prepared by UCLA Student Legal Services: A list of actions that students who have been approved for DACA should take regarding work eligibility, obtaining a California driver’s license or identification card and Social Security number, building credit, and more.

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

Other

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

• AB 540 CSU Online Resource Guide: Cal State Fullerton provides application instructions and answers 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.

• College and Financial Aid Guide (PDF): The USC Center for Higher Education Policy Analysis offers information on how undocumented students can obtain financial aid.

• Dream Activist: An action and resource network that offers a multicultural, youth-led, social media hub for the movement to pass the DREAM Act and other forms of immigration legislation.

• 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.

• Undocumented Students Unfulfilled Dreams (PDF): A report from the UCLA Center for Labor Research and Education discusses the Federal and California DREAM Acts and offers profiles and personal testimonies from AB 540 students.

• University of California Annual Report on AB 540 Tuition Exemptions: The 2011-2012 (PDF) and 2010-2011 (PDF) reports present the most recent data regarding UC’s implementation of AB540.