Supporting Undocumented Students

1. Supporting Undocumented Students Denise Peña Associate Director of Financial Aid Dominican University of California Jesus Ramirez Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions Dominican University of California

2. Agenda • Overview & Background • Laws affecting Undocumented Students • Admissions Process • Financial Resources • Resources for Undocumented Students • Q&A

3. Background Undocumented Student: [uhn-dok-yuh-men-tidstood-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

4. The Numbers

5. 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.

6. 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 AB540

7. CA DREAM Act 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.

8. In State Tuition

9. 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

10. 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.

11. California State University • 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.csumentor.edu

12. 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) www.universityofcalifornia.edu

13. Independent Universities • Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities (AICCU) • 76 Schools in California – Western Association of Schools & Colleges (WASC) accredited • Each University functions independently • 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 Admissions – No Index • A-G Courses (recommended) • SAT or ACTs • Essay • Letter(s) of Recommendation • Portfolio/Audition • Interview www.aiccu.edu

14. California Community Colleges • 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 • Deadline • No Formal deadline • Last semester of HS (recommended) • AB540 Students • Student submits affidavit after being admitted and before paying for registration fees

15. Financial Aid Programs

16. Financial Resources

17. 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 students • Explain the requirements for federal financial aid • Know CA laws regarding undocumented students • Let students know there are scholarships available

18. 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

19. Thank you Questions and Answers