Transcript Serving the Needs of Undocumented Students:

Serving the Needs of
Undocumented AB540
Students:
What College Access Professionals
Should Know (and Do)
Paz Maya Oliverez, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Futuros Educational Services
www.futuros-california.org
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
Numbers in the
United States
• The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that in
the year 2000, approximately 2.5 million
undocumented youth under age 18 were
living in the U.S.
• Each year, over 65,000 undocumented
students graduate from U.S. high schools.
Why don’t they just
apply for residency?
• Many undocumented immigrants are not
eligible to apply for residency
• Applying for residency can cost families
thousands of dollars
• The naturalization process can take several
years and some students “age out” before
they establish residency
Similar to/Different from
Peers
Similar to peers:
Different from peers:
• Low income
• Poor academic
preparation
• First-generation
college goers
• Navigate educational
system alone
• Cannot gain legal
employment
• Cannot acquire a
driver’s license
• Not eligible for
government-sponsored
financial aid
• Live in fear of
discovery/deportation
Know Your Students’
Rights
• Undocumented students (in most states) cannot be denied
admission to a college or university based on their
immigration status.
• Undocumented students are not required to show a state
issued ID or social security card to apply for college
admission.
• Undocumented students are not required to show proof of
legal residency or application for legal residency when
enrolling in college.
If you believe a students’ rights have been violated, contact: MALDEF at
213.629.2512 or a local immigration attorney/agency for assistance.
AB540: California State
Law
• Signed into law in October 2001, Assembly Bill
540 makes undocumented students eligible to pay
in-state tuition if they:
• Attended a California public high school for a
minimum of three years (does not have to be consecutive years)
• Received HS diploma or equivalent (GED)
• Will attend a public college/university in CA (CC,
CSU, UC)
• Students must sign a confidential affidavit.
State Policy
• Ten states have passed in-state tuition policies.
– Texas, California, Utah, Illinois, Washington,
Oklahoma, New York, Kansas, New Mexico, Nebraska
• Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico also offer state aid to
undocumented students.
• CA Dream Act – SB1301
– Gov. Schwarzenegger vetoed previous versions of the
Bill in 2005 & 2007
– If passed in October of 2008, it would allow AB540
students to apply and compete for institutional aid
administered by the attending college or university (i.e.,
State University Grant, UC Grant, scholarships, and
loan programs).
Federal Policy
2007: DREAM Act (defeated)
• If passed, it would provide conditional “lawful permanent resident
status” for undocumented immigrants, age 30 years or younger, for
up to 6 years, while they complete at least 2 years of college or
military service.
– Upon completion of the 2 years, they would be eligible to apply
for legal permanent residency “green card”.
– Policy would repeal Section 505 of IIRIRA which discourages
states from providing in-state tuition.
• Restores possibility for states to provide in-state tuition and
possibly state aid.
• There are complications that prevent the inclusion of federal
aid, namely the IIRIRA.
Likely to be reintroduced in 2008, but potential for passage is
questionable.
College Access
Challenge #1
Students are uninformed & misinformed
• Include AB540 information in all materials
• Have a 1-page fact sheet for AB540
students/parents
• Incorporate as part of individualized advising
• Include AB540 presenters in all college-related
events
College Access
Challenge #2
Students lack mentors & encouragement
• Student support groups
– High school clubs (i.e., develop & advise)
– Undocumented student alumni
– AB540 college student groups (i.e., IDEAS)
• Individualized counseling and guidance
College Access
Challenge #3
Parents lack of college knowledge
•
•
•
•
Involve parents in college preparation process
Develop parent support groups
Provide information in parents’ native language
Connect parents to community resources
College Access
Challenge #4
Students’ college choices are largely
influenced by finances
• Provide information about college costs for all
systems of higher education.
• Bring in current undocumented college students
to share their stories.
• Be realistic. Provide information & motivation
but be realistic about the challenges.
College Access
Challenge #5
Students need assistance when
completing college admissions applications
• Help students complete residency questions (develop
relationships with college admission representatives)
• Attend college/university application workshops
annually to stay informed of policy changes
• General support for completing applications (if you
don’t know the answer, find someone who does)
College Access
Challenge #6
Students need assistance with
fundraising for college
• Undocumented students should not complete the
online FAFSA application.
• If a student filed an application with INS, the
student may already be eligible to receive state
financial aid. Have them speak to their attorney.
Scholarship Tips
• Research scholarships without residency
requirements
– Develop a space for this information in your
office
• Update scholarship lists regularly
• Provide scholarship application assistance
– Proofread essays, write letters of
recommendation, offer scholarship application
workshops
Fundraising Ideas
• BE CREATIVE!
– Look to your organization:
• Develop an AB540 scholarship fund
• Inquire about the availability of discretionary funds
– Look to student/family/community:
• House parties, raffles, candy sales, etc.
– Look to AB540 College Student Groups:
• Scholarship opportunities
– Portfolio
Student College
Retention
Students face challenges once they are admitted.
– Help students identify AB540 friendly staff at
their college/university
– Identify H.S. to college transition programs
– Help students navigate the scholarship
disbursement process
– Encourage students to get involved in AB540
groups at their college/university.
Harsh Reality for
Undocumented Students
• Securing sufficient funds to pay for college
remains difficult.
• Students’ professional options after college are
severely limited. Some undocumented students
choose to continue their education through
graduate studies.
• Many undocumented students are not currently
eligible to apply for residency.
…The Bright Side
• There are currently 10 states that have passed
legislation to provide undocumented students with
in-state tuition, which shows that change is
possible.
• Undocumented students are still better off with a
college education than without one.
– Networks, knowledge, and skills.
• Our nations’ lawmakers are currently debating the
DREAM Act.
More steps you can take
to help…
• Connect with feeder high school and collegebased counselors/advisers
• Advocate for your students (i.e., scholarship
providers, policymakers)
• Connect with local organizations/ agencies in your
community
• Stay informed about policies that impact
undocumented students
For more information:
Dr. Paz Oliverez
[email protected]
Futuros Educational Services
www.futuros-california.org