ab 540 students with undocumented residency status
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AB 540Students with undocumented residency status
Cost Difference at California Colleges & Universities
California Community College: $20/unit (in-state) $170 (out-of-state)
California State University: $3,137/year $13,946/year
University of California:$6,636/year $22,000/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 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
Non-Immigrant StudentsVisa Holders
Students who are “non-immigrant aliens”
(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.
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 (2003-2004)
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 Boxer112 Hart Senate Office BuildingWashington, DC 20510(202) 224-3553www.boxer.senate.gov/contact
Senator Diane Feinstein112 Hart Senate Office BuildingWashington, DC 20510(202) 224-3841www.feinstein.senate.gov/email.htlm
Por Internet: www.senate.gov o www.house.gov Pueden llamar al 411 y pedir información sobre su representante local
Youth Advocates in Action
CHIRLA: WISE UP2533 West of Third Street, Suite 101Los Angeles, CA 90057General Line: (213) 353-1333 [email protected] * www.chirla.org
PULS: People United for the Legalization of StudentsNational Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights310 8th Street, Suite 303Oakland, CA 94607(510) 465-1984 Fax: (510) 465-1885 [email protected]
Grupo estudiantil de Fresno City College & Fresno State UniversityLeonel Flores, Centro de derechos para inmigrantes y trabajadores280 North Van Ness AvenueFresno, CA 93701(559) 443-1317 [email protected]