1. California State University, Dominguez Hills
Being An Ally:
Supporting the Needs of
Undocumented Students
Thursday, October 22, 2015

2. Agenda
Policies impacting undocumented students’ access to higher education
Best practices for supporting undocumented students on your campus
CSUDH campus resources
Financial Aid processes
Student voices

3. “…just to know that people actually care and want to see you make a difference and be successful… that means a lot.”
-CSUDH Undocumented Student

4. Who are Undocumented Students?
Born outside the U.S
Many have lived in U.S. for significant portion of their lives
Some enter U.S. with tourist visa and chose to stay after visa expired
Some reside without any form of documentation
They pass through our classrooms and offices every day without us knowing it

5. What challenges do undocumented students face due to their status?
Not eligible for federal financial aid programs and federally funded programs
No drivers license (for some)
No SSN, therefore limited in qualifying for anything that requires this form of identification (ID)
Limited work authorization, paid internships & fellowships
Limited travel when official ID is required
May not be eligible to work in chosen profession after graduation

6. Policies/Legislation
AB 540
Allows eligible CA high school graduates to pay in state tuition regardless of immigration status.
AB 130 &131
Allows eligible AB 540 students access to some types of CA financial aid and scholarships.
DACA
Allows some undocumented youth who are “in school” or who have a high school equivalency to receive a temporary deferral from deportation and be eligible to work and travel.
Other opportunities for driving privileges, professional licensure, and credentialing vary by state.

7. Best Practices: AB540 AB540 – Ally Best Practices
Be knowledgeable about AB540 eligibility requirements
Be knowledge about AB540 benefits and negatives
Be knowledgeable about completion of Non- Resident Tuition Exemption Form (a.k.a., AB540 Affidavit)
Be able to assist students with completion of AB540 Affidavit and proof of residency paperwork, as needed.

8. Best Practices: CA Dream Act
CA Dream Act – Ally Best Practices
Be knowledgeable about CA Dream Act benefits and negatives (AB130 & AB131)
Be knowledgeable about CA Dream Act application process
Be able to refer students to on-campus (financial aid office) or off-campus (community organizations) partners that can assist students with CA Dream Act application.

9. Best Practices: DACA DACA – Ally Best Practices
Be knowledgeable about DACA benefits and negatives
Be knowledgeable about DACA application process
Refer students to community agencies that assist students with DACA applications.
Write letters of support for students to include in DACA application.
Consider contributing to DACA scholarship programs.

10. Best Practices
Identify other allies on your campus and build a coalition that includes undocumented students
Identify resources such as scholarships, support groups
Inform the campus community by providing trainings
Keep abreast of policy updates/changes
Advocate for campus policies that support undocumented students
Advocate for the inclusion of AB540 and CA Dream Act information in all campus resources (outreach, admissions, financial aid, student support programs, departments, etc.)
Support your campus’ undocumented student group or help create one

11. Best Practices: CSU Dominguez Hills
Undocumented Student Group- Espiritu de Nuestro Futuro
Undocumented Student Allies Coalition (USAC)
Undocumented Student Allies Training
Displaying the DREAMer Ally Decal
The decal should be displayed in an area belonging solely to the individual who has received it. This will alleviate confusion for a student entering the office at large and allow them to confidently reveal their status to an ally.
Ally Contract
Dream Center Task Force
Dreamer Focus Groups
Dreamer Testimonials Film
Dream Center Proposal

12. Financial aid Process

13. The CA Dream Act Application
Students without lawful immigration status, who qualify for an AB540 nonresident tuition exemption:
CA Dream Application is completed instead of FAFSA (dream.csac.ca.gov)
Used to determine eligibility for state and institutional need based scholarships and grants
Non-SSN Cal Grant GPA verification form is still required, in addition to the Dream Application, for Cal Grant consideration
The Admission application fee waiver is also available to students without lawful immigration status, who will qualify for an AB540 nonresident tuition exemption & meet the income guidelines
csudh

14. The CA Dream Act Application
Gift Aid
Scholarships
Students should check with the institution’s website if they need to complete a separate application
Grants
Self-help Aid
Private Loans
Employment opportunities
csudh

15. What Happens After the Application is Complete?
After successfully completing the Dream application the student will be able to see the Confirmation and CalSAR Comments. Students should:
Check for errors and make sure that the college or university the student plans on attending is listed in the School Section.
Students can be selected for verification and may need to submit additional documentation.
Submit to the school any requested documents needed to verify eligibility.
Once eligibility is determined the student will be notified regarding their award.
Students must review their award and respond by accepting or declining the awards.
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16. Types of Gift Aid (Scholarships)
Applying for Scholarships may require different applications and there may be different deadlines and requirements. Read all scholarship applications carefully.
Scholarship information is available on our website at Be sure to use the “Search for More Scholarships” tab for tips and outside scholarship information.
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17. Types of Gift Aid (Grants)
Cal Grants (A & B)
Chafee Grant (
Middle Class Scholarship (MCS)
CSU - State University Grant (SUG)
CSU - Educational Opportunity Program (EOP)
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18. csudh Types of Self-help Aid Dream Loan Program
New Student loan program for California Dream Act students.
Private Loans
Apply with co-signer
Jewish Free Loan Association – Interest Free!
Employment Opportunities
Student assistant employment on campus for students with authorization to work (DACA)
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19. csudh Things To Remember
Complete a new CA Dream Act Application every academic year between January 1 and March 2
Submit all required documents as soon as possible or by specified deadlines
Follow up with college or university regarding financial aid award
Ask questions
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20. Resources Policy/Legislation Advocacy Immigrant Legal Resource Center
National Immigration Law Center
Educators for Fair Consideration
United We Dream

21. Q & A
Pull out evaluation and complete it. If you wish to become an Ally, complete it and leave both at the registration Desk. Your contract will be returned to you.

22. Thank You
Mayra Soriano Student Speakers: Paloma Granados & Maria Villar Marcela Vega
ADD: Allies Network Info, Espiritu info, Dreamers Journal, other DH efforts.