UPCOMING EVENTS:
Financial Aid for Undocumented/Dreamer Students
× Important Announcement
Woodland Community College faculty, staff, and students are eligible to receive funds to cover DACA application fees through one-time 3-million-dollar funds set aside through the Foundation for California Community Colleges and the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA). These funds may be used to cover both the DACA first-time application filing fee and the renewal fee of $495. It is crucial to start the renewal application process 150 days prior to the expiration date. Those eligible may apply through this website www.openccc.net and receive free virtual consultations with our CHIRLA representative.
For more information contact Isabel Duenas at 530-668-3691 or visit the Dream Center office room 744.
▸ Do You Qualify?
The terms “California Dream Act students,” “AB 540 students,” and “dreamers” may be used interchangeably and can include students who:
Are undocumented
Have a valid or expired DACA
Are U Visa holders
Have Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
Meet the non-resident exemption requirements under AB 540, AB 2000, or SB 68
Have completed the California Dream Act Application for financial aid
▸ What Financial Aid is Offered?
There are many financial aid opportunities for undocumented/dreamer students including Cal Grant, Chafee Grant, Middle-Class Scholarship, UC Grants, State University Grants, California Community College (CCC) California Promise Grant, EOP/EOPS, some University scholarships, and some private scholarships administered by campuses. There are also external scholarships available through immigrantsrising.org
▸ Eligibility and Requirements
AB540:
California Nonresident Tuition Exemption commonly known as AB 540, exempts certain students from paying nonresident tuition (higher than resident tuition) and/or allows them to apply and receive state aid at certain California public and private colleges. To be eligible:
A combination of three full-time years of attendance at a California school (elementary, middle school, high school, adult school, Department of Rehabilitation and Correction School, High School, and/or California Community College).
Graduated with a California high school, equivalent (GED), Associate Degree, or the fulfillment of the minimum transfer requirements for the UCs or CSUs.
Register or Enroll in an Accredited and Qualifying California College or University. This requires registration as a student at an accredited institution of higher education in California. See a list of Cal Grant eligible schools.
Must file the California Non-Resident Tuition Exemption Request Form stating that the filer will apply for legal residency as soon as possible.
Must not hold a valid non-immigrant visa. (Non-immigrants, as defined by federal law, have been admitted to the United States temporarily and may have been granted one of the following visas: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, TN, TD, V, TROV, NATO).
NOTE: Ineligible students can still attend California colleges if they meet the admissions criteria and are accepted by the college or university. They also must pay non-resident fees.
▸ Your Privacy
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS: Complete the form entitled California Nonresident Tuition Exemption Request with your college. Submit it to the Admissions Office at the community college where you are enrolled or intend to enroll. You may be required to submit additional documentation. Call the college Admissions Office if you have questions.
The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) has strict security and confidentiality policies and procedures in place to protect the integrity and confidentiality of student records. The CSAC has not (now or in the past) shared any information, which would indicate a student’s immigration status, either documented or undocumented. The CSAC also adheres to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99), a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records.
▸ What is the California Dream Act?
The California Dream Act allows undocumented, and non-resident 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. FAFSA vs. California Dream Act Application: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and California Dream Act Application (CADAA) are both applications to receive financial aid. Students should only complete one of the applications – not both – according to the following citizenship requirements: FAFSA VS CA DREAM ACT: APPLY TO THE CORRECT FINANCIAL AID IN CA If you plan to apply:
Complete your California Dream Act application by March 2.
Males over age 18 must register for Selective Services.
Ensure your high school has verified your GPA. For questions, contact the California Student Aid Commission at www.csac.ca.gov or call 1-888-224-7268
Resources for undocumented/dreamer students filling out the California Dream Act Application
▸ Am I eligible for DACA?
People who came to the U.S. as children and meet several guidelines may request consideration of Deferred Action as Children (DACA) for a period of two years, subject to renewal. DACA provides a 2-year deportation reprieve and applicants may apply for a work authorization permit, which is subject to renewal. It does not provide lawful status. To be eligible:
Are under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012
Came to the U.S. before reaching your 16th birthday
Have continuously resided in the U.S. since July 15, 2007
Have continuously resided in the U.S. since July 15, 2007
Are currently in school, graduated from high school or received a GED, or are an honorably discharged veteran.
Have not been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor (or three or more other misdemeanors), and do not pose a threat to national security or public safety.
NOTE: DACA is not the same as financial aid and Undocumented/Dreamer students should still submit a CA Dream Act Application and Non-SSN GPA instead of a FAFSA. For more details about the difference between DACA and California Dream Act: California Dream Act Application For more info about DACA visit: www.uscis.gov and www.immigrantsrising.org
▸ Valuable Resources
WCC Resources for AB540, DACA & Undocumented Students
California Student Aid Commission
Immigrants Rising
California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation
Immigrant Legal Resource Center
Resources for Undocumented Students from the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office
Know Your Rights
Residency Requirements
California state law mandates that each student who applies for admission to provide residency information and evidence as deemed necessary by the Admissions & Records Office to determine the student’s residence classification.
▸ Are you under 19 years of age?
Be in accordance with “Residency Criteria for those under 19 years of age below
Married minors may establish their own residence
An unmarried minor derives residence from the parent with whom he or she is residing. If the student lives with neither parent, residency is derived from the parent with whom he or she last lived. (The residence of an unmarried minor who has a parent living cannot be changed by her or his own act, by appointment of a legal guardian, or by relinquishment of a parent’s right of control.)
▸ General residency rules for those under 19 years of age.
Active duty military personnel stationed in California are entitled to resident classification.
A dependent child or spouse of an active duty military person stationed in California is entitled to residence classification.
A member of the armed forces of the United States stationed in California on active duty for more than one year immediately prior to being discharged will be granted a “one-year grace period” in order to establish California residency. Establishment of residency requires physical presence and acts of intent to be demonstrated for one full year.
Persons who have a “permanent residence card” for one year or more may establish residence in accordance with the criteria listed below.
Non-resident and non-citizens (other than “nonimmigrant aliens” who are out of status with Department of Homeland Security) who have attended a California high school for at least three years and who have graduated from a California high school may be eligible for an exemption of the non-resident tuition through the California Non-Resident Tuition Exemption Form (AB540).
A student who was classified as a nonresident and is seeking reclassification as a resident MUST show financial independence. Financial independence requires not having been claimed as a dependent on state/federal income tax forms by a parent/guardian, not having received more than $750.00 a year from a parent/guardian, and not having lived more than six weeks in a year with a parent/guardian in the immediately preceding twelve months. Students will be required to submit documentation showing how tuition and living expenses were paid during the preceding year.
▸ Are you 19 years of age or older?
Gneral Residency rules: (Year of residence must begin after the eighteenth birthday.)
Active duty military personnel stationed in California are entitled to resident classification.
A dependent child or spouse of an active duty military person stationed in California is entitled to residence classification.
A member of the armed forces of the United States stationed in California on active duty for more than one year immediately prior to being discharged will be granted a “one-year grace period” in order to establish California residency. The establishment of residency requires physical presence and acts of intent to be demonstrated for one full year.
Persons who have a “permanent residence card” for one year or more may establish residence in accordance with the criteria listed below.
Non-resident and non-citizens (other than “nonimmigrant aliens” who are out of status with Department of Homeland Security) who have attended a California high school for at least three years and who have graduated from a California high school may be eligible for an exemption of the non-resident tuition through the California Non-Resident Tuition Exemption Form (AB540).
A student who was classified as a non-resident and is seeking reclassification as a resident MUST show financial independence. Financial independence requires not having been claimed as a dependent on state/federal income tax forms by a parent/guardian, not having received more than $750.00 a year from a parent/guardian, and not having lived more than six weeks in a year with a parent/guardian in the immediately preceding twelve months. Students will be required to submit documentation showing how tuition and living expenses were paid during the preceding year.
▸ Are you a resident of California?
Nonresident students do not automatically become residents by merely being in California for more than one year. State law also requires “proof of intent” to establish California residence for more than one year prior to the residence determination date. The burden of proof rests with the student, not the District. Students must present a combination of documentation to prove their intent to be a resident. Students must also show no contrary intent, that is, they must not have maintained residence status in their former state (i.e. driver’s license, taxes, car registration, etc.). Types of documentation that may be submitted that will help to establish proof of intent (with lack of intent for residence in another state) include the following. No one factor is decisive.
▸ How do you prove you are a California resident?
W-2 form
California State Income Tax payment
California Driver’s license
California Identification card from DMV
Motor vehicle ownership and registration
Purchase of property; Voter registration
License from California for professional practice
any other proof of intent as may be deemed necessary by the institution to establish residence classification
▸ What if I do not qualify as a California resident?
A student incorrectly classified as a California resident because of falsification of information is subject to reclassification as a nonresident and payment of nonresident tuition or exclusion from class(es) upon notification.
Students classified as nonresidents may appeal the decision within 30 days of the date of the residence classification decision.
All students classified as nonresidents are required to pay the Nonresident Tuition Fee; the Enrollment Fee; and the Student Services Fee each semester. Nonresident fees are refundable only during the first two weeks of a semester (dates vary for short-term classes) if the student withdraws from a course. The date on which the withdrawal is received in the Admissions & Records Office will determine the refund date.
California Identification card from DMV
Refunds shall not exceed the amount of tuition paid and will be processed in accordance with District regulations.
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