IMMIGRANT STUDENT SUCCESS - Undocumented & Immigrant Student Support

Welcome Undocumented Students and Allies!

Undocumented students and students impacted by your immigration status aiming to pursue a college education, we'll help you understand how to access and request financial aid at El Camino College, locate scholarships, university grants and outside resources. Dream on!

 

Fall 2024 Counseling appointments availability

(August 12th - December 13th)

Mondays
8:00am - 4:00pm

Tuesday & Thursday
9:00am - 4:30pm

Wednesdays
9:30am - 5:30pm

Fridays
8:00am - 12:00pm

Schedule a Counseling Appointment

Immigrant Student Success Counselors can help with your educational plan, the transfer process to a four year university,  financial aid and AB 540 affidavits. Have additional questions? Email: [email protected] or Call 310-660-3593. extension: 7811

Book Counseling Appointment

 
A snapshot of services and resources readily available to undocumented students and students impacted by their immigration status at El Camino College

What is AB 540?

AB 540 is a law that provides in-state tuition benefits for undocumented and out-of-state students who attend or will attend a public university in California. 

Under California law AB 540, certain nonresident students are exempt from paying nonresident supplemental tuition. If you're granted an AB 540 exemption, you will be charged in-state tuition and fees and not the supplemental tuition charged to nonresidents.

Resident (In-State) Tuition:
(applies to AB 540 eligible students) 
$46 per unit

Non-Resident (Out-of-State) Tuition
$331 per unit

No-Cost Immigration Legal Services

El Camino College, in collaboration with Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), is proud to announce no-cost legal services available to students, staff and faculty.

Book an appointment to meet with CHIRLA legal services online. After scheduling an appointment, an attorney from CHIRLA will contact you at the scheduled time for a full consultation. 

If you cannot find an open appointment or have a family member who would like a free consultation, you can also call 213-201-3797.

Book Legal Services Appointment
 

Students (including undocumented students) who, for various reasons, are classified as nonresidents may be eligible.

To qualify for AB 540 status, students must also meet the following eligibility requirements: 

  1. Student must have attended a high school (public or private) in California for three or more years
  2. Student must have graduated from a California high school or attained the equivalent (GED or CA HS Proficiency exam)
  3. Student must be enrolled in an accredited California institution of higher education
  4. Student must file an AB 540 California Nonresident Tuition Exemption Request Form  that includes an affidavit stating they have filed (or will file) an application to legalize as soon as they are able to do so. Completed forms must be submitted to the Admissions and Records Office located in the Student Services building
  5. Submit a copy of your high school diploma and sealed high school transcripts to the El Camino College Admissions office for verification.

SB 68 expands AB 540 to enable students to count years spent at a California Community College and adult school toward AB 540 eligibility. Additionally, the bill will allow the completion of an associate degree or satisfaction of the minimum requirements to transfer to the University of California (UC) or California State University (CSU) to meet the degree or unit requirements. These new eligibility criteria expand possibilities for students educated in California to qualify for in-state tuition and state-based financial aid at CCCs, CSUs, and UCs.

If you previously were not eligible for AB 540 status, you may be eligible with the expansion to AB 540 with SB 68. Please check with the ECC Admissions Office for details.

 

If you meet the AB 540 eligibility requirements, you may be eligible to receive state-based financial aid as well as scholarships.

It is important to complete the California Dream Act Application every year before March 2 to be considered for a California Promise Grant (which pays for the cost of tuition) as well as Cal Grants (additional cash state aid).

For additional information, visit Financial Aid.

 

Complete the following steps if you think you meet AB 540 eligibility. If you are not sure, you can use this tool to help you see if you may be eligible to pay in-state tuition. Please note that the Admissions Office makes all final decisions regarding eligibility.

Print AB 540 Checklist

 

Complete and sign this form to request exemption from nonresident tuition charged to nonresident students.

Once determined to be eligible, you will continue to receive the exemption as long as you fulfill eligibility requirements or until the college or university no longer offers this exemption.  

Applying for this exemption does not alter your responsibility to pay, by the campus deadline, any nonresident tuition and associated fees that may be due before your eligibility is determined.

This form should be used instead of residency reclassification if you are undocumented or a U.S. citizen and meet the requirements. This exemption cannot be used if you are not living in California.  

Submit AB 540 Form

 

 

 

The 6 or Fewer Units Non-Resident tuition fee waiver exempts eligible students from having to pay out-of-state tuition fees, regardless of legal status or in-state residency requirements. Students must meet all criteria, complete and sign this form, and submit required documentation to the Admissions and Records office every semester. 

Submit 6 Units or Fewer Nonresident Tuition Fee Waiver Form

6 Units or Fewer Nonresident Tuition Fee Waiver FAQ

Undocumented Young People, Stand Up!

Undocumented young people: You have the right to go to college in California! Learn more.

Have Workshop request or recommendations?

If you have any workshop request or recommendations please let us know! The Immigrant Student Success Team are always welcoming feedback and or recommendations to best serve our Immigrant Student Population. Please click here to submit a request.

Connect with Immigrant Student Success Team

Josefina Cruz Molina
Immigrant Student Success Coordinator
Email: [email protected]

Availability: Monday - Thursday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Fridays: Remote Availability Only

Christopher Yik
Immigrant Student Success Counselor
Email: [email protected]

Fall semester availability: Fridays: 8am - 1pm

Summer: only by e-mail. No counseling appointments available on Fridays. 

Noemi Caraveo
Immigrant Student Success Counselor
Email: [email protected]

Availability: Wednesday 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM

 

Laura Mason
Immigrant Student Success Counselor
Email: [email protected]

Availability: Tuesdays & Thursdays: 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM

 

Ayman Mendoza De Leon
Immigrant Student Success Counselor

Email: [email protected]

Availability: Mondays: 8:00am - 4:00pm