MALDEF Mexican American Legal Defense & Educational Fund College Outreach Campaign Education At Your Reach! Educación a tu alcanze!

Celebrating 35 years of MALDEF MALDEF is a national organization whose mission is to promote and protect the civil rights of Latinos, through advocacy, leadership development, community education, and when necessary, through litigation. MALDEF is a national organization whose mission is to promote and protect the civil rights of Latinos, through advocacy, leadership development, community education, and when necessary, through litigation. In the last three decades the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) has worked diligently to protect and promote the civil rights of Latinos in the following five areas: In the last three decades the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) has worked diligently to protect and promote the civil rights of Latinos in the following five areas: »Education »Employment »Immigration »Political Access, and »Public Resource Equity

Latinos Today… » Nationwide, the 2000 Census counted 40 million Latinos. » Each year between 65,000 and 80,000 undocumented students graduate from high schools in the US. In California... » Close to 11 million Latinos reside in California, making it the highest Latino populated state in the U.S. highest Latino populated state in the U.S. » 41.6% of California’s future generation of leaders between the » 41.6% of California’s future generation of leaders between the ages of will be Latino. ages of will be Latino. » An estimated 5,000-8,000 undocumented Latino immigrants » An estimated 5,000-8,000 undocumented Latino immigrants between the ages of reside in California. between the ages of reside in California. Source: US Census & CA Department of Education

4 Systems of Public Higher Education in California * Community Colleges (ELAC, SMC, PCC) Must be 18 or a have a high school diploma or GED to enroll & attend Must be 18 or a have a high school diploma or GED to enroll & attend ** California State University (CSU) (Fresno State, Cal State LA, CSUN, San José State University) (Fresno State, Cal State LA, CSUN, San José State University) *** University of California (UC) (UCLA, UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, UC Santa Barbara) (UCLA, UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, UC Santa Barbara) **** Private Universities (Stanford, Loyola Marymount University, Fresno Pacific University) (Stanford, Loyola Marymount University, Fresno Pacific University) A-G Minimum Admissions Requirements for CSU/UC and Privates A-G Minimum Admissions Requirements for CSU/UC and Privates

A-G Minimum Admissions Requirements for CSU/UC HONORS and ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) classes are recommended A) 4 years of English B) 3 years of College Level Math (starting with Algebra) C) 3 years of Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) D) 2 years of Social Sciences (Geography, Government, Economics) E) 2 years of Foreign Language (same language) F) 2 years of visual and performing arts (Drama, Art, Photography) G) 1 year of college preparatory electives

The Road to College Begins in Kindergarten Family Savings -- Read to Succeed -- Parent Involvement Important Dates for the UNIVERSITY APPLICATION The Student should: 11 th Grade- *Take the PSAT in October *Schedule monthly appointments with their counselor *Register for the SAT in June 12 th Grade-*September/October: Take the SAT exam *October/November: Fill out the college applications and write their personal statement *November 30 th : EVERYONE should have completed and sent out their college applications and sent out their college applications *January: Fill out the FAFSA application and look for scholarships scholarships *April: Receive your acceptance letters from the universities!!!

State and Federal Financial Aid FAFSA deadline March 2 nd of every year To qualify: Must be a legal resident or citizen and fill out the FAFSA application which includes parent’s tax information, assets, and other investments Scholarships : FREE money! Thousands of scholarships are given out each year. Requirements vary from good GPA to sports interests, first- generation college student or essay contests. Grants: FREE money! Mostly based on good GPA (3.2+) Loans: Low interest loans for students and/or parents. Ability to defer, however all students are allowed 6 months after time of graduation before paying back loans

Promoting Higher Education for All California Students! New California Law: Qualified undocumented students are now eligible to pay in-state tuition fees at California’s colleges and universities.

Important Rulings Leading up to AB : Plyler vs. Doe U.S. Supreme Court decision ruling that all students including undocumented students have the right to a free, public school education from K-12 grade in the U.S. U.S. Supreme Court decision ruling that all students including undocumented students have the right to a free, public school education from K-12 grade in the U.S. 1986: Leticia A. vs. the UC Regents and CSU Board of Trustees Required the UC and CSU to cease the discriminatory practice of requiring proof of US citizenship/permanent residency when defining state residency for tuition purposes Required the UC and CSU to cease the discriminatory practice of requiring proof of US citizenship/permanent residency when defining state residency for tuition purposes Between in the UC and at the CSU, students who met state residency requirements were able to receive state financial aid and were charged resident tuition fees Between in the UC and at the CSU, students who met state residency requirements were able to receive state financial aid and were charged resident tuition fees 1991: Bradford vs. the UC Regents Bradford claims that the University policy resulting from the Leticia A. case is in direct violation with federal responsibility to make laws regulating immigration Bradford claims that the University policy resulting from the Leticia A. case is in direct violation with federal responsibility to make laws regulating immigration Bradford wins his case and as a result undocumented students lose the right to receive state resident tuition and financial aid Bradford wins his case and as a result undocumented students lose the right to receive state resident tuition and financial aid 1996: “Illegal” Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act Prohibits immigrant students from accessing any postsecondary education benefit unless a U.S. citizen or national is eligible for the same benefit Prohibits immigrant students from accessing any postsecondary education benefit unless a U.S. citizen or national is eligible for the same benefit Any state that provided in-state tuition to undocumented immigrants must also provide in-state tuition to out-of-state residents Any state that provided in-state tuition to undocumented immigrants must also provide in-state tuition to out-of-state residents

Assembly Bill 540: Assembly Bill 540: June 2001, Texas governor signs HB 1403 which enables immigrant students to qualify as state residents for in-state tuition and financial aid. In October 2001, Governor Gray Davis signs AB 540, authored by Marco Antonio Firebaugh (Southeast LA Couny State Assemblymemer) which allowed students who attended a California high school and graduated from a California high school to be exempt from paying out-of-state tuition. Undocumented students in Texas and California are eligible for this exemption because the law is not based on residency, rather on high school attendance.

Cost Difference at California Colleges & Universities California Community College: $26/unit (in-state) $170 (out-of-state) California State University: $2,860/year $12,946/year University of California: $5,530/year $19,740/year

Requirements for AB 540: » Attend a California High School for 3 or more years; - continuation schools, charter high schools, private schools, and adult education programs may be acceptable (ask your counselor) - there is no time limit on how far in the past the student might have attained this status » Graduate from a California high school or receive the equivalent (GED); » Register or be currently enrolled at an accredited public institution of higher education in California; » Sign a statement with the college or university (NOT with INS) stating that he/she will apply for legal residency with the INS as soon as he/she is able to do so.

Educational Rights and Privacy Act for ALL Students The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 is a federal law regarding the privacy of student records and the obligations of the institution, primarily in the areas of release of the records and the access provided to these records. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 is a federal law regarding the privacy of student records and the obligations of the institution, primarily in the areas of release of the records and the access provided to these records. The information that a student shares with a college or university is protected by federal law. Students must sign an affidavit in order to qualify for AB 540 relief but the school cannot legally share this information with third parties especially the Department of Immigration and Naturalization Students must sign an affidavit in order to qualify for AB 540 relief but the school cannot legally share this information with third parties especially the Department of Immigration and Naturalization

Non-Immigrant Students Visa Holders Students who are “non-immigrant aliens” Students who are “non-immigrant aliens” (F series student visas or B series visitor visa), are not eligible for this exemption. (F series student visas or B series visitor visa), are not eligible for this exemption. If a student has an expired visa and is now consequently “out of status”, he/she will be eligible for in-state tuition fees if they meet the law’s requirements. If a student has an expired visa and is now consequently “out of status”, he/she will be eligible for in-state tuition fees if they meet the law’s requirements.

Financial Aid AB 540 does not provide financial aid to undocumented students nor does any other law. Students who need financial assistance should look for scholarships that do not require legal permanent residency or U.S. Citizenship. If a student filed an application with INS to legalize status, the student may already be eligible for resident fee status and may be eligible to receive state financial aid. (Consult your immigration attorney about your eligibility status).

Legal Residency  AB 540 DOES NOT ESTABLISH legal residency for immigrant students.  AB 540 permits that the California resident tuition also apply to undocumented students who meet the AB 540 requirements.

Important Points about Immigration: AB 540 does not establish legal residency for undocumented students eligible for in-state tuition. Undocumented students who have questions about their legal residency should consult an immigration attorney. A student with a valid visa does not qualify for in-state- tutiton fees under AB 540. Making false statements about your immigration status creates serious problems. If you have made such statements, consult with an immigration attorney immediately.

DREAM Act: Development, Relief, and Education for “Alien” Minors Act & Student Adjustment Act ( ) IF SIGNED INTO LAW: Would grant qualified* immigrant students the opportunity to obtain legal status and thus enable them to pursue higher education and contribute fully to the nation. IF SIGNED INTO LAW: Would grant qualified* immigrant students the opportunity to obtain legal status and thus enable them to pursue higher education and contribute fully to the nation. * Requirements to Qualify –Student MUST have lived in the U.S. for five years or more –Student MUST be a high school graduate –Student MUST have “good moral” conduct –Student MUST attend a minimum of 2 years of college

Write to or call your Senators and Local Representatives Senator Barbara Boxer 112 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC (202) Senator Diane Feinstein 112 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC (202) Por Internet: o Pueden llamar al 411 y pedir información sobre su representante local

Youth Advocates in Action CHIRLA: WISE UP 2533 West of Third Street, Suite 101 Los Angeles, CA General Line: (213) * PULS: People United for the Legalization of Students National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights th Street, Suite 303 Oakland, CA (510) Fax: (510) Grupo estudiantil de Fresno City College & Fresno State University Leonel Flores, Centro de derechos para inmigrantes y trabajadores 280 North Van Ness Avenue Fresno, CA (559)