MALDEFMALDEFMexican American Legal Defense & Educational FundMexican American Legal Defense & Educational Fund

College Outreach CampaignCollege Outreach CampaignEducation At Your Reach! Educación a tu alcanze!Education At Your Reach! Educación a tu alcanze!

Celebrating 35 years of MALDEFCelebrating 35 years of MALDEF

MALDEF is a national organization whose mission is to MALDEF is a national organization whose mission is to promote and protect the civil rights of Latinos, through promote and protect the civil rights of Latinos, through advocacy, leadership development, community education, and advocacy, leadership development, community education, and when necessary, through litigation.when necessary, through litigation.

In the last three decades the Mexican American Legal Defense and In the last three decades the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) has worked diligently to protect and Educational Fund (MALDEF) has worked diligently to protect and promote the civil rights of Latinos in the following five areas: promote the civil rights of Latinos in the following five areas:

» EducationEducation» EmploymentEmployment» ImmigrationImmigration» Political Access, andPolitical Access, and

» Public Resource EquityPublic Resource Equity

Latinos Today…Latinos Today… »» Nationwide, the 2000 Census counted 40 million Latinos.Nationwide, the 2000 Census counted 40 million Latinos.

»» Each year between 65,000 and 80,000 undocumented students Each year between 65,000 and 80,000 undocumented students graduate from high schools in the US. graduate from high schools in the US.

In California...In California...» » Close to 11 million Latinos reside in California, making it the Close to 11 million Latinos reside in California, making it the

highest Latino populated state in the U.S.highest Latino populated state in the U.S.

»» 41.6% of California’s future generation of leaders between the 41.6% of California’s future generation of leaders between the

ages of 15-24 will be Latino.ages of 15-24 will be Latino.

»» An estimated 5,000-8,000 undocumented Latino immigrants An estimated 5,000-8,000 undocumented Latino immigrants between the ages of 14-20 reside in California.between the ages of 14-20 reside in California.

Source: US Census & CA Department of EducationSource: US Census & CA Department of Education

4 Systems of Public Higher Education in California4 Systems of Public Higher Education in California

* Community Colleges (ELAC, SMC, PCC)* Community Colleges (ELAC, SMC, PCC) Must be 18 or a have a high school diploma or GED to enroll & attendMust be 18 or a have a high school diploma or GED to enroll & attend

** California State University (CSU)** California State University (CSU) (Fresno State, Cal State LA, CSUN, San Jos(Fresno State, Cal State LA, CSUN, San José State University) é State University)

*** University of California (UC)*** University of California (UC) (UCLA, UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, UC Santa Barbara) (UCLA, UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, UC Santa Barbara)

**** Private Universities **** Private Universities (Stanford, Loyola Marymount University, Fresno Pacific University)(Stanford, Loyola Marymount University, Fresno Pacific University)

A-G Minimum Admissions Requirements for A-G Minimum Admissions Requirements for CSU/UC and PrivatesCSU/UC and Privates

A-G A-G MinimumMinimum Admissions Requirements Admissions Requirements for CSU/UCfor CSU/UC

HONORS and ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) classes are recommendedHONORS and ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) classes are recommended

A) 4 years of English A) 4 years of English

B) 3 years of College Level Math (starting with Algebra)B) 3 years of College Level Math (starting with Algebra)

C) 3 years of Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)C) 3 years of Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)

D) 2 years of Social Sciences (Geography, Government, Economics)D) 2 years of Social Sciences (Geography, Government, Economics)

E) 2 years of Foreign Language (same language)E) 2 years of Foreign Language (same language)

F) 2 years of visual and performing arts (Drama, Art, Photography)F) 2 years of visual and performing arts (Drama, Art, Photography)

G) 1 year of college preparatory electivesG) 1 year of college preparatory electives

The Road to College Begins in The Road to College Begins in KindergartenKindergarten

Family Savings -- Read to Succeed -- Parent InvolvementFamily Savings -- Read to Succeed -- Parent Involvement

Important Dates for the UNIVERSITY APPLICATIONImportant Dates for the UNIVERSITY APPLICATIONThe Student should:The Student should:

1111thth Grade- Grade- *Take the PSAT in October*Take the PSAT in October*Schedule monthly appointments with their counselor*Schedule monthly appointments with their counselor*Register for the SAT in June*Register for the SAT in June

1212thth Grade- Grade- **September/OctoberSeptember/October: Take the SAT exam: Take the SAT exam**October/NovemberOctober/November: Fill out the college applications and : Fill out the college applications and write their personal statement write their personal statement**November 30November 30thth: EVERYONE should have completed : EVERYONE should have completed

and sent out their college applicationsand sent out their college applications**JanuaryJanuary: Fill out the FAFSA application and look for : Fill out the FAFSA application and look for

scholarshipsscholarships

**AprilApril: Receive your acceptance letters from the universities!!!: Receive your acceptance letters from the universities!!!

State and Federal Financial AidState and Federal Financial AidFAFSA deadline March 2FAFSA deadline March 2ndnd of every year of every year

To qualify:To qualify: Must be a Must be a legal resident or citizenlegal resident or citizen and fill out the and fill out the FAFSA application which includes parent’s tax information, FAFSA application which includes parent’s tax information, assets, and other investmentsassets, and other investments

ScholarshipsScholarships:: FREE money! Thousands of scholarships are given out each FREE money! Thousands of scholarships are given out each year. Requirements vary from good GPA to sports interests, first-year. Requirements vary from good GPA to sports interests, first-generation college student or essay contests.generation college student or essay contests.

Grants:Grants: FREE money! Mostly based on good GPA (3.2+) FREE money! Mostly based on good GPA (3.2+)

Loans:Loans: Low interest loans for students and/or parents. Ability to defer, Low interest loans for students and/or parents. Ability to defer, however all students are allowed 6 months after time of graduation before however all students are allowed 6 months after time of graduation before paying back loanspaying back loans

www.fastweb.comwww.fastweb.comwww.scholarshipsforhispanics.orgwww.scholarshipsforhispanics.orgwww.hsf.netwww.hsf.net

Promoting Higher Education for Promoting Higher Education for AllAll California Students! California Students!

New California Law:New California Law:

Qualified Qualified undocumented undocumented

students are now students are now eligible to pay in-state eligible to pay in-state

tuition fees at tuition fees at California’s colleges California’s colleges

and universities.and universities.

Important Rulings Leading up to AB 540Important Rulings Leading up to AB 540

1982: Plyler vs. Doe1982: Plyler vs. Doe U.S. Supreme Court decision ruling that all students including undocumented students have the right U.S. Supreme Court decision ruling that all students including undocumented students have the right

to a free, public school education from K-12 grade in the U.S.to a free, public school education from K-12 grade in the U.S.

1986: Leticia A. vs. the UC Regents and CSU Board of Trustees1986: Leticia A. vs. the UC Regents and CSU Board of Trustees Required the UC and CSU to cease the discriminatory practice of requiring proof of US Required the UC and CSU to cease the discriminatory practice of requiring proof of US

citizenship/permanent residency when defining state residency for tuition purposescitizenship/permanent residency when defining state residency for tuition purposes Between 1986-1991 in the UC and 1986-1995 at the CSU, students who met state residency Between 1986-1991 in the UC and 1986-1995 at the CSU, students who met state residency

requirements were able to receive state financial aid and were charged resident tuition feesrequirements were able to receive state financial aid and were charged resident tuition fees

1991: Bradford vs. the UC Regents1991: Bradford vs. the UC Regents Bradford claims that the University policy resulting from the Leticia A. case is in direct violation with Bradford claims that the University policy resulting from the Leticia A. case is in direct violation with

federal responsibility to make laws regulating immigration federal responsibility to make laws regulating immigration Bradford wins his case and as a result undocumented students lose the right to receive state resident Bradford wins his case and as a result undocumented students lose the right to receive state resident

tuition and financial aidtuition and financial aid

1996: “Illegal” Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act1996: “Illegal” Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act Prohibits immigrant students from accessing any postsecondary education benefit unless a U.S. citizen Prohibits immigrant students from accessing any postsecondary education benefit unless a U.S. citizen

or national is eligible for the same benefitor national is eligible for the same benefit Any state that provided in-state tuition to undocumented immigrants must also provide in-state tuition Any state that provided in-state tuition to undocumented immigrants must also provide in-state tuition

to out-of-state residentsto out-of-state residents

Assembly Bill 540:Assembly Bill 540:

June 2001, Texas governor signs HB 1403 which enables immigrant students to qualify as state residents for in-state tuition and financial aid.

In October 2001, Governor Gray Davis signs AB 540, authored by Marco Antonio Firebaugh (Southeast LA Couny State Assemblymemer) which allowed students who attended a California high school and graduated from a California high school to be exempt from paying out-of-state tuition.

Undocumented students in Texas and California are eligible for this exemption because the law is not based on residency, rather on high school attendance.

Cost Difference Cost Difference at California Colleges & Universitiesat California Colleges & Universities

California Community College: $26/unit (in-state) $170 (out-of-state)

California State University: $2,860/year $12,946/year

University of California:$5,530/year $19,740/year

Requirements for AB 540:» Attend a California High School for 3 or more years;

- continuation schools, charter high schools, private schools, and adult education programs may be acceptable (ask your counselor)- there is no time limit on how far in the past the student might have attained this status

» Graduate from a California high school or receive the equivalent (GED);

» Register or be currently enrolled at an accredited public institution of higher education in California;

» Sign a statement with the college or university (NOT with INS) stating that he/she will apply for legal residency with the INS as soon as he/she is able to do so.

Educational Rights and Privacy Act Educational Rights and Privacy Act

for ALL Studentsfor ALL Students

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 is a The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 is a federal law regarding the privacy of student records and the federal law regarding the privacy of student records and the obligations of the institution, primarily in the areas of release of the obligations of the institution, primarily in the areas of release of the records and the access provided to these records. records and the access provided to these records.

The information that a student shares with a college or The information that a student shares with a college or university is protected by federal law.university is protected by federal law.

Students must sign an affidavit in order to qualify for AB 540 Students must sign an affidavit in order to qualify for AB 540 relief but the school cannot legally share this information with third relief but the school cannot legally share this information with third parties especially the Department of Immigration and Naturalizationparties especially the Department of Immigration and Naturalization

Non-Immigrant StudentsNon-Immigrant StudentsVisa HoldersVisa Holders

Students who are “non-immigrant aliens”Students who are “non-immigrant aliens”

(F series student visas or B series visitor (F series student visas or B series visitor visa), are not eligible for this exemption.visa), are not eligible for this exemption.

If a student has an expired visa and is now If a student has an expired visa and is now consequently “out of status”, he/she will be consequently “out of status”, he/she will be eligible for in-state tuition fees if they meet eligible for in-state tuition fees if they meet the law’s requirements.the law’s requirements.

Financial AidFinancial Aid

AB 540 does not provide financial aid to undocumented students nor does any other law.

Students who need financial assistance should look for scholarships that do not require legal permanent residency or U.S. Citizenship.

If a student filed an application with INS to legalize status, the student may already be eligible for resident fee status and may be eligible to receive state financial aid. (Consult your immigration attorney about your eligibility status).

www.maldef.org

Legal ResidencyLegal Residency

AB 540 AB 540 DOES NOT ESTABLISHDOES NOT ESTABLISH legal legal residency for immigrant students.residency for immigrant students.

AB 540 permits that the California resident AB 540 permits that the California resident tuition also apply to undocumented students tuition also apply to undocumented students

who meet the AB 540 requirementswho meet the AB 540 requirements..

Important Points about Important Points about Immigration:Immigration:

AB 540 does not establish legal residency for undocumented students eligible for in-state tuition.

Undocumented students who have questions about their legal residency should consult an immigration attorney.

A student with a valid visa does not qualify for in-state-tutiton fees under AB 540.

Making false statements about your immigration status creates serious problems. If you have made such statements, consult with an immigration attorney immediately.

DREAM Act:DREAM Act:Development, Relief, and Education for “Alien” Minors ActDevelopment, Relief, and Education for “Alien” Minors Act

& & Student Adjustment ActStudent Adjustment Act (2003-2004)(2003-2004)

IF SIGNEDIF SIGNED INTO LAW: Would grant qualified* immigrant INTO LAW: Would grant qualified* immigrant students the opportunity to obtain legal status and thus enable them students the opportunity to obtain legal status and thus enable them to pursue higher education and contribute fully to the nation.to pursue higher education and contribute fully to the nation.

* Requirements to Qualify* Requirements to Qualify

– Student MUST have lived in the U.S. for five years or moreStudent MUST have lived in the U.S. for five years or more

– Student MUST be a high school graduateStudent MUST be a high school graduate

– Student MUST have “good moral” conductStudent MUST have “good moral” conduct

– Student MUST attend a minimum of 2 years of collegeStudent MUST attend a minimum of 2 years of college

Write to or call your Senators and Write to or call your Senators and Local RepresentativesLocal Representatives

Senator Barbara BoxerSenator Barbara Boxer112 Hart Senate Office Building112 Hart Senate Office BuildingWashington, DC 20510Washington, DC 20510(202) 224-3553(202) 224-3553www.boxer.senate.gov/contactwww.boxer.senate.gov/contact

Senator Diane FeinsteinSenator Diane Feinstein112 Hart Senate Office Building112 Hart Senate Office BuildingWashington, DC 20510Washington, DC 20510(202) 224-3841(202) 224-3841www.feinstein.senate.gov/email.htlmwww.feinstein.senate.gov/email.htlm

Por Internet: Por Internet: www.senate.govwww.senate.gov o o www.house.govwww.house.gov Pueden llamar al 411 y pedir información sobre su representante localPueden llamar al 411 y pedir información sobre su representante local

Youth Advocates in ActionYouth Advocates in Action

CHIRLA: CHIRLA: WISE UPWISE UP2533 West of Third Street, Suite 1012533 West of Third Street, Suite 101Los Angeles, CA 90057Los Angeles, CA 90057General Line: (213) 353-1333 General Line: (213) 353-1333 wiseup_la@yahoo.comwiseup_la@yahoo.com * * www.chirla.orgwww.chirla.org

PULSPULS: People United for the Legalization of Students: People United for the Legalization of StudentsNational Network for Immigrant and Refugee RightsNational Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights310 8310 8thth Street, Suite 303 Street, Suite 303Oakland, CA 94607Oakland, CA 94607(510) 465-1984 Fax: (510) 465-1885 (510) 465-1984 Fax: (510) 465-1885 nnirr@nnirr.orgnnirr@nnirr.org

Grupo estudiantil de Fresno City College & Fresno State UniversityGrupo estudiantil de Fresno City College & Fresno State UniversityLeonel Flores, Centro de derechos para inmigrantes y trabajadoresLeonel Flores, Centro de derechos para inmigrantes y trabajadores280 North Van Ness Avenue280 North Van Ness AvenueFresno, CA 93701Fresno, CA 93701(559) 443-1317 sjvcoalition@aol.com(559) 443-1317 sjvcoalition@aol.com