In 2021-22, only 14% of California’s estimated undocumented
college students received financial aid.
The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) convened a work
group of individuals from all segments of California’s higher
education system and diverse higher education stakeholders to
examine the unique challenges that undocumented students face in
accessing financial aid, and generate concrete solutions for
addressing those challenges.
California has long been a leader in advancing policies that help
ensure the dream of a college education remains accessible and
affordable to all students. This is particularly true for
California’s undocumented student population enrolled in
postsecondary education, which at close to 100,000 students, is
the largest in the country. Their success is vital to
Californian’s future.
Yet, for too many undocumented students, the dream of a college
education remains challenging, and for some even unattainable. In
2021-22, only 29% to 30% of undocumented college students who
applied for financial aid through the California Dream Act
Application (CADAA) ultimately enrolled in school. Moreover, only
14% of California’s estimated undocumented student population in
postsecondary education ultimately received state financial aid.
This report is the culmination of the work group’s comprehensive
examination and offers higher education leaders, policymakers and
campus practitioners targeted recommendations to better support
undocumented students in successfully accessing financial aid and
pursuing debt-free college in California.
The Commission hosted a webinar that featured a panel of
stakeholders to discuss the roadblocks to financial aid for
undocumented students, and key recommendations included in the
Renewing the Dream report that can be addressed at the state,
federal, and campus levels. Our speakers included:
Marlene L.
Garcia, Executive Director of the California Student
Aid Commission
Assembly member Mike Fong
(AD-49), Chair of the Assembly Higher Education
Committee
Charles Nies,
Vice Chair of the California Student Aid Commission
Michele
Siqueiros, President of the Campaign for College
Opportunity
Angelica Salas,
Executive Director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights
of Los Angeles (CHIRLA)
Leonardo
Rodriguez, Student at the University of California,
Berkeley
Erik Ramirez,
Director of Equity and Affinity Centers at Sacramento State
University