Explore helpful resources and information available to undocumented students.
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.
Quick Links
- California State Law AB 540
- Assembly Bill AB 2000
- The California Dream Act
- Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
- Resources / Contact
Undocumented Student Action Week
October 18-22, 2021
Coastline College strives to provide equitable access to education for all of our students.
Stay Informed
California State Law AB 540
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.
AB 540 Requirements for Eligibility
A student may qualify for exemption from nonresident tuition either by high school attendance in California for three or more years
- or by either elementary or secondary school attendance,
- or both in California for a total of 3 or more years and
- attainment of credits earned in California from a California high school equivalent to 3 or more years of full-time high school coursework and a total of three or more years of attendance in California elementary schools, California secondary schools, or a combination of these schools.
- Must register or is currently enrolled at an accredited institution of public higher education in California;
- Must file or will file an affidavit as required by individual institutions, stating that the filer will apply for legal residency as soon as possible;
- Must not hold a valid non-immigrant visa (F, J, H, L, A, E, etc.)
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.
Assembly Bill AB 2000
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:
- Attainment of three years' worth of high school credits from a California High School (equivalent to 3 or more years of full-time high school coursework), and
- A total of 3 or more years of attendance in California elementary or secondary schools, or a combination of those schools (the years do not have to be sequential).
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.
Eligibility Criteria
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 expands AB 540
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
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
Check Your Eligibility
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:
- California College Promise Grant (CCPG)
- State financial aid, such as CalGrants and Chafee Grants
- Assistance from EOPS or CARE
- Private and institutionally-funded scholarships
Have any questions?
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.
DACA
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:
- Were under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012.
- Came to the United States before their 16th
- Continuously resided in the U.S. since June 15, 2007, up to the present time.
- Were physically present in the U.S. on June 15, 2012, and at the time of making their request for consideration of deferred action with USCIS.
- Had no lawful status as of June 15, 2012.
- Are currently in school, have graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from high school, have obtained a general education development (GED) certificate, or are an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States
- Have not been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor, three or more other misdemeanors, and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety.
For information and assistance with DACA applications and renewals, check out the United We Dream website.