DREAMers and UndocuALLY

Legislative Help Paying for College

Recent laws have made college more affordable for California's undocumented Dreamer students. Please review below and follow the links to learn more about each.

The Non-resident Tuition Exemption (AB540) Legislation and California Dream Act are state programs that are separate and are not affected by the decision to end DACA. 

AB 540

California Nonresident Tuition Exemption (AB 540) For Eligible California High School Graduates allows qualifying undocumented students to have access to in-state tuition in public California colleges. Learn how to complete the application after you apply for admission to Foothill College.

CA Dream Act Consists of Two Bills

• AB 130 allows AB 540 qualifying students to apply to private institutional scholarships in public colleges and universities.
• AB 131 allows AB 540 qualifying students to apply for the Board of Governor (BOG) Fee Waiver, Cal Grants, and other forms of institutional student aid. 

Visit our Financial Aid website to learn how to complete the California Dream Act application.

 

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)

Undocumented students may be eligible for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), which grants qualifying undocumented individuals protection from deportation and a two-year provisional work permit.

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program was established to provide qualifying undocumented individuals protection from deportation and a two-year provisional work permit. On September 5, 2017, the Trump Administration announced the termination of the DACA Program. The program has a six-month phase out window and initial requests will no longer be processed. Only individuals with DACA and work permits that expire before or on March 5, 2018 will be able to apply for renewal by the October 5, 2017 set deadline. Individuals who currently have DACA and a work permit will be allowed to retain their benefits until they expire. 

DACA Announcement