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What is DACA?

What is AB 540?

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals: Protects young immigrants with undocumented status from deportation. The program gives those who have approved work authorization and approvals can be renewed. 

Guidelines

  1. Were under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012 (that is, you were born on or after June 16, 1981);
  2. Came to the United States before reaching your 16th birthday;
  3. Have continuously resided in the United States since June 15, 2007, up to the time of filing your request for DACA;
  4. Were physically present in the United States on June 15, 2012, and at the time of filing your request for DACA with USCIS;
  5. Had no lawful immigration status on June 15, 2012, and at the time of filing your request for DACA, meaning that:
    • You never had a lawful immigration status on or before June 15, 2012, or
    • Any lawful immigration status or parole that you obtained had expired as of June 15, 2012, and
    • Any lawful status that you had after June 15, 2012, expired or otherwise terminated before you submitted your request for DACA;
  6. Are currently enrolled 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 United States Coast Guard or armed forces of the United States; and
  7. Have not been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor (that is, a misdemeanor as described in 8 CFR 236.22(b)(6)), or 3 or more other misdemeanors, and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety.

AB 540 allows eligible CA high school graduates or students with GED/Hi-SET to pay in-state tuition regardless of immigration status. 

Students must have:

  1. Satisfaction with either of the following:
    1. High School attendance in California for three or more years.
    2. Attainment of credits earned in California from a California high school equivalent to three 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 those schools.
  2. Graduated or will graduate from a California high school or obtained a Certificate or General Education Development (GED), High School Equivalency Test (HiSET), or test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC).
  3. Will register or enroll in an accredited and qualifying California college or university.
  4. If applicable, complete(d) an affidavit to legalize immigration status as soon as you are eligible.
  5. Do not hold a valid non-immigrant visa ( F, J, H, L, A, B, C, D, E, etc. )**

If you meet the requirements above, you should complete the  CA Dream Act Application  for financial aid. ( A certified GPA is also necessary for Cal Grant consideration.) Your college is responsible for verifying your AB 540 eligibility. Check with the Admissions & Records Office early in the summer before the Fall Term starts.

Complete AB 540 form for Columbia College:

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