Undocumented Students

1. What does it mean to be undocumented?

If you are not a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident and do not currently possess a green card, visa, or other legal documentation, you are considered an undocumented immigrant.

2. If I am undocumented and interested in applying for residency, what should I do?

In order to find out if you are eligible to apply for legal permanent residency, contact a licensed immigration attorney. DO NOT give your money to a "notario." In the U.S., a notario is not an attorney and cannot help you establish residency.

3. If I am undocumented, can I go to college?

YES. Undocumented students can go to any college or university in California if they meet admissions requirements.

4. If I am undocumented, can I receive financial aid?

Undocumented students are not eligible for state (Cal Grant) and federal (FAFSA) financial aid. Some colleges may offer financial aid to undocumented students, so visit your college's financial aid office to find out.

5. Where can I go to find out about scholarships for undocumented students?

Go to the MALDEF website (www.maldef.org) to find a list of scholarships that do not require you to be a US citizen or a legal permanent resident, and do not ask for a social security number.

6. How do I qualify to pay in-state tuition?

In order to qualify for in-state tuition under AB 540, you must have completed 3 years of high school in California and graduated from a California high school. You must also complete an AB 540 affidavit at the college/university that you will attend, stating that you meet AB 540 eligibility requirements.

7. Do I need to be in the legalization process to qualify for AB 540?

NO, both students that are already in the process and those that are not yet in the process qualify for AB 540. But remember that the affidavit that students sign indicates that they will start the process as soon as they are eligible to do so.

8. Can I utilize AB 540 at a private university?

NO, AB 540 is utilized only by the PUBLIC community colleges and universities in California (CCC/CSU/UC), therefore students attending a private institution may be charged the non-resident tuition.

9. Do adult school students qualify for AB 540?

Students who have completed 3 years of adult school or finished their GED through an adult school MAY qualify for AB 540 if the community college they wish to attend considers it equivalent to high school. Check with a representative at your college who is knowledgeable about AB 540 to find out about your college's requirements.

10. What is the process for applying to college and the university for undocumented immigrant students?

Students should speak with a college/university representative to receive accurate information about the specific campus. For all UC and most CSU campuses, the fall term applicant must apply by November 30th of the year before they wish to begin. Two sections must be left blank:

1. Social Security Number Section
2. Immigration Status Section

Everything else should be filled out completely and truthfully. Students should contact a UC representative for specific instructions for completing the UC application as these change from year to year. Additional materials should NOT be sent with the application. Once the student is accepted by the university, then they should fill out and send the AB 540 affidavit. For community colleges, the student must turn in the AB 540 affidavit the when they register for classes.