If you’re undocumented, do not despair. You can go to college. You may have to be creative about paying for it, but there are options. The state of CA and many other states now have the Dream Act which helps you with state aid and public school scholarships. The federal government has deferred action which helps you work and potentially get work as lawyers, teachers, and doctors. Many private colleges cover all of your costs.
Admissions:You can go to ANY college or university you want!
AB-540 allows you to attend any Community College, Cal State, or University of California, paying "in-state" tuition if you. Check out: www.maldef.com University of California- Undocumented Student Resources Each UC campus has staff and faculty members who can help you find academic, financial, legal, health and social support both on and off campus. |
Legal Resources:CARECEN
(Central American Refugee Center) www.carecen-la.org El Rescate www.elrescate.org MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense Fund) www.maldef.org National Immigration Law Center www.nilc.org One-Stop Immigration & Education Center www.weingart.org SALEF (Salvadorian American Leadership and Educational Fund) www.salef.org |
Scholarships:Scholarships and Resources for AB-540 Students:
http://www.scholarshipsaz.org/collateral/scholarships.pdf www.futuros-california.org www.maldef.org www.salef.org www.latinocollegedollars.org www.ab540.com If you are undocumented and do not qualify for financial aid, here is a guide for you to get into college and paying for it: http://www.usc.edu/dept/chepa/pdf/AB%20540%20final.pdf Scholarship Guide for all students (including AB 540): http://www.scholarshipsaz.org/collateral/scholarships.pdf |
Scholarship Opportunities for Undocumented AB 540 Students:
Below is a PDF file with very use information about scholarship deadlines
Below is a PDF file with very use information about scholarship deadlines
ab_540_scholarships_2013-2014.pdf | |
File Size: | 830 kb |
File Type: |
Financial Aid: FAQ:
1. Can I Apply For Federal Financial Aid?
1. If I don’t qualify for federal financial aid, where can I get money?
2. Where do I find out about scholarships?
There are hundreds of scholarships out there for undocumented students; it is just a matter of taking the initiative and stay on the lookout for them. Here are some help sites where you may begin to look for scholarships for AB 540 students:
1. Can I Apply For Federal Financial Aid?
- No, if you’re not documented yourself you cannot apply for Federal Financial Aid.
- However, if you are a citizen but one or both of your parents are undocumented, you are eligible for financial aid. When filling out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), put your parents’ social security number as 000-00-0000.
- Some private colleges may ask you to fill out the FAFSA and leave your social security number blank or fill in your ITIN number. They want to know your family’s estimated family information.
- BUT remember, you can apply for Deferred Action, which gets you access to a federal SSN and the ability to work. That is huge.
- Please beg them to.
- Please ask your counselor or a family friend to speak to them.
- This depends on your state. If you live in California, Texas, Maryland, and many other states you now quality for state aid and/or in-state tuition. Check with your college to see what you need to do to qualify for this money. In CA, AB540 students how qualify for state aid-CAL Grants and many school scholarships. So please meet all necessary requirements.
1. If I don’t qualify for federal financial aid, where can I get money?
- Your state may cover it. California now funds undocumented students who apply for aid. Many other states do as well. Remember you must fill out the state’s application. http://www.csac.ca.gov/dream_act.asp
- There are many private foundations and colleges that give money to undocumented students.
- You need to ask your counselor for a list of supportive colleges. If not email us, and we will send you list.
- Go to AB540 financial aid workshops and learn about scholarships.
- Go to college fairs, especially those geared towards you, and learn about scholarships and colleges with scholarships.
- There are some guides:
- Here is a great guide for about getting into college and paying for it from USC: The College and Financial Aid Guide for AB540 Undocumented Students. http://www.usc.edu/dept/chepa/pdf/AB%20540%20final.pdf
- Many CA universities have info. Here is CSULA’s page. http://www.calstatela.edu/univ/ab540
2. Where do I find out about scholarships?
There are hundreds of scholarships out there for undocumented students; it is just a matter of taking the initiative and stay on the lookout for them. Here are some help sites where you may begin to look for scholarships for AB 540 students:
- FinAid!: Financial Aid and Scholarships for Undocumented Students: http://www.finaid.org/otheraid/undocumented.phtml
- Maldef’s General Scholarships: http://maldef.org/leadership/scholarships/
- Dream Activists: Scholarships for Undocumented Students: http://www.dreamactivist.org/faq/education/scholarships/
- Get Ready for College: Resources for Undocumented Students: http://www.getreadyforcollege.org/gpg.cfm?pageID=1586
- Scholarships for Undocumented Students: Comprehensive List:http://www.hstatcollege.com/scholarships_for_undocumented_st.htm
- Latino College Dollars http://www.latinocollegedollars.org/
- Fast Web: http://edu.fastweb.com/v/w_regp/flow/?utm_source=fw_google&utm_content=fastweb&gclid=CLHTwe2X7p8CFQtfagod-ROeXg
- USC’s advice for AB540 students:http://www.usc.edu/dept/chepa/pdf/AB%20540%20final.pdf
- Liberty Hill’s lists great scholarships all the time: www.libertyhill.org
- Hispanic Scholarship Fund: http://www.hsf.net/