Explore helpful resources and information available to undocumented students.
Coastline College (CC) strives to provide equitable access to education for all of our students. In accordance with California law, AB 540 and the California Dream Act, undocumented students have access to resident tuition fees and financial aid.
Coastline College strives to provide equitable access to education for all of our students.
On October 12, 2001, Governor Gray Davis signed into law Assembly Bill 540 adding a new section, 68130.5, to the California Education Code. Section 68130.5 created a new exemption from the payment of non-resident tuition for certain non-resident students who have attended high school in California and received a high school diploma or its equivalent. AB 2000 expanded the scope of AB 540 in 2014.
A student may qualify for exemption from nonresident tuition either by high school attendance in California for three or more years
A student must have graduated from a California high school or have attained the equivalent thereof, such as a High School Equivalency Certificate, issued by the California State GED Office or a Certificate of Proficiency, resulting from the California High School of Proficiency Examination.
If you have questions regarding whether or not you qualify for AB540 status, please go to the Admissions and Records office, visit the Residency page, email residency@cccd.edu, or call/text (714) 241-6226.
If you are already an AB540 student and have questions about your California Dream Act Application or eligibility, please contact the Financial Aid Office or visit Coast Colleges California Dream Act Information.
Beginning January 1, 2015 AB 2000 amended the school attendance requirement of AB 540 and designated that if a student has not attended a California High School for at least three years, that portion of the eligibility criteria may be replaced by the following:
SB 68 expands in-state tuition eligibility in California beyond the current requirements for AB 540 / AB 2000. Due to this new law, more students will now be able to pay in-state tuition at California public colleges and universities (CCCs, CSUs & UCs) and apply for state-based financial aid.
Undocumented individuals, T and U visa holders, U.S. citizens, and lawfully present immigrants who meet the eligibility criteria above can apply if their classes were taken in 2001 or after. Individuals with international student visas, visitor visas, or other "non-immigrants" statuses are not eligible to apply.
SB 68 benefits students who didn't go to three years of high school in California.
SB 68 will allow students to count full-time attendance at a California Community College, Adult School, Department of Rehabilitation and Correction School, High School, or combination of these schools to meet the 3 years required to be eligible for in-state tuition. Students who have three years of high school coursework can also count attendance at an elementary school.
SB 68 benefits students who don't have a California High School Diploma or didn't get their GED in California. Students will be able to use an Associate's Degree or the fulfillment of the minimum transfer requirements for the UCs or CSUs to meet the requirements. Contact the school you plan to attend for further information.
The California Dream Act of 2011 became law through the passage of Assembly Bill AB 130 and AB 131.The California Dream Act allows undocumented and nonresident documented students who meet certain provisions to apply for and receive private scholarships funded through public universities, state-administered financial aid, University grants, community college fee waivers, and Cal Grants. Students who live in California and meet the eligibility requirements of Assembly Bill (AB) 540 or AB 2000, as well as students who have a U Visa or TPS status, can use the California Dream Act application (CADAA).
The deadline for the CA Dream Act application (for Cal Grant eligibility) is March 2nd. Don't miss this opportunity to get aid for college!
FAQs about the California Dream Act
Immigrants Rising's CA In-State Tuition Qualifier Tool helps you determine if you meet the attendance and degree requirements for in-state tuition. Even if you do not yet qualify, this tool can help you determine what steps you need take to meet eligibility in the future.
To get started visit California Student Aid Commission.
Visit the California Student Aid Commission's California Dream Act webpage which has extensive resources for students and parents, including worksheets, tutorials, forms, and application resources.
The California Dream Act allows AB540 students to apply for and receive several types of financial aid, including:
If you live in California and meet the eligibility requirements, apply to the California Dream Act through the California Student Aid Commission with the arrow below.
If you have questions regarding whether or not you qualify for AB540 status, please go to the Admissions and Records office, visit the Residency page, email residency@cccd.edu, or call/text (714) 241-6226.
If you are already an AB540 student and have questions about your California Dream Act Application or eligibility, please contact the Financial Aid Office, visit Coast Colleges California Dream Act Information, or contact Jenny Vu, Coastline's Financial Aid UndocuLiaison, at jvu@coastline.edu.
If you need assistance or have other questions, please contact Natalie Schonfeld, Dean of Students, at nschonfeld@coastline.edu or call (714) 241-6142.
An executive order created under the administration of President Barack Obama, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) allows individuals who came to the U.S. as children and meet guidelines to request consideration of deferred action for two years, subject to renewal. They are also eligible for work authorization. Individuals who may qualify for DACA are those who:
For information and assistance with DACA applications and renewals, check out the United We Dream website.
Read on the latest DACA news.
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will no longer accept or process first-time NEW applications for deferred action.
If you currently have DACA that will expire between now and March 5, 2018, you can apply to renew your status. You must apply for a two-year renewal of your DACA by October 5, 2017. This deadline is very important, and all DACA recipients who qualify for this renewal should contact an immigration attorney or Board of Immigration Appeals accredited organization to initiate the renewal process.
Advance Parole granted DACA recipients the opportunity to obtain a permit to travel abroad for educational, employment or humanitarian purposes.
The Department of Homeland Security has announced that it will no longer approve any applications for advance parole, although it will honor the validity period for previously approved applications for advance parole.
DACA, AB 540 and the California Dream Act are not the same. In the state of California, the unwinding of DACA does NOT impact a student's ability to attend college, qualify for exemption from non-resident tuition fees, or apply for financial aid.
2021 List of Undergraduate Fellowships
California Community College Chancellor's Office for Undocumented Students:
A web portal of information and resources.
Immigrant Legal Resource Center (IRLC)
University of California, Berkeley's Undocumented Students Program FAQ
Several groups are mobilizing to provide support and advocate for a better national policy on immigration. These include:
Free Legal Consultation Clinic
For general questions about DACA/Dream Act/Undocumented Student Support and Resources, contact:
For questions about Financial Aid under the California Dream Act, contact: