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Free Immigration Legal Services

Mt. SAC students, staff, and faculty can receive free immigration legal services through CARECEN-LA, an immigrant rights non-profit organization that partners with our college. Their legal support team includes a paralegal assistant and an accredited immigration attorney who can support with: 

  • Legal Screenings
  • DACA Initial and Renewals Applications
  • Citizenship Applications
  • Family Petitions
  • Adjustment of Status
  • U-Visa Applications
  • Special Juvenile Immigrant Status (SJIS)
  • Violence Against Women Act Applications
  • Any immigration-related matter 

Currently enrolled Mt. SAC students may be eligible to receive financial assistance with their DACA applications. To learn if you qualify, please schedule an appointment with CARECEN by clicking on the button below.

New Laws For DREAMers in California

    • AB 540 (Nonresidency Tuition)
      Date of Enactment October 13, 2001

      What It Does

      • Student shall be exempt from paying nonresident tuition at the CA Community Colleges, UC’s and CSU’s
      • Students must meet requirements in order to qualify
      • Student must have graduated from a CA high school

      Must have attended high school in CA for 3 or more years (If not, see extended law of AB 2000 at the right column)

      Who Benefits From This Law?

      Dreamers, Citizens, and Permanent Residents who have attended 3 or more years of a CA high school graduated, or have obtained a GED may qualify.

      AB 540 Student Requirements

      • Must have attended a CA High School at least 3 years
      • Graduated from a CA High School or Completed GED/CA Proficiency Exam
      • Register or be currently enrolled in an accredited public institution in CA
      • File a non-resident tuition exemption affidavit
      • If without lawful immigration status, indicate that he/she will apply for legal residency as soon as possible
      • Receive confirmation from school that they have been classified/approved as an AB 540 Student

       

    • AB 2000 (Nonresidency Tuition)
      Date of Enactment September 27, 2014

      What It Does

      • Extension of AB 540.
      • Student may qualify for exemption from nonresident tuition either by attendance to a CA high school for 3 or more years or by elementary or secondary school attendance, or both totaling 3 or more years in the state of CA.

      RECAP: In other words, elementary or secondary school attendance can compensate for missing high school year(s) requirement of the AB 540

      Who Benefits From This Law?

      Students who are not a permanent residents, or citizens, and have attended CA institutions, but are lacking the 3 or more yeas requirement of high school required for AB 540 eligibility. As well as students who graduated early from high school.

      When Is It Effective?

      • 2015 – 2016 Academic School Year
    • AB130 (CA Dream Act)
      Date of Enactment July 25, 2011

      The California Dream Act

      First Bill
      (Financial Aid for Dreamers also known as Undocumented Students)

      What It Does

      • State Based Financial Aid for Dreamers!
      • It is NOT Federal Aid (NOT FAFSA)
      • Under AB 130
      • Students may apply for privately funded scholarships given out by a California Public College/University

      Who Benefits From This Law?

      Allows those students who fall under the AB540/2000 category to apply for State based Financial Aid.

      When Was It Effective?

      • January 1, 2012
    • AB 131 (CA Dream Act)
      Date of Enactment October 8, 2001

      The California Dream Act

      Second Bill
      (Financial Aid for Dreamers also known as Undocumented Students)

      What It Does

      • Under AB 130

      Students may apply for public aid such as (Cal Grants, State Grants, University Grants, and BOG Waivers)

      Who Benefits From This Law?

      AB 131 allows those students who fall under the AB540/2000 category to apply for Public Aid.

      When Was It Effective?

      • January 1, 2013
    • AB 2160 (CA Grant Program)
      Date of Enactment September 27, 2014

      Cal Grant Program

      What It Does

      • Require that a GPA be submitted electronically for all Cal Grant A & B applicants (which includes all seniors in public/charter schools)
      • School district must send GPA no later than October 15.

      Who Benefits From This Law?

      All high school seniors regardless of their status, except those who opt out.

      When Is It Effective

      • 2015-2016 Academic School Year
    • SB 1210 (CA Dream Loans)
      Date of Enactment September 28, 2014

      What It Does

      • A student attending a participating campus of the University of California, or California State University may receive a loan if the student satisfies specified requirements.
      • Students must get at least 51% of their costs covered by the Student Aid Commission first in order to qualify for the loan.

      Who Benefits From This Law?

      DREAMers who meet the AB 540 or AB 2000 and California Dream Act criteria and are attending a California State University (CSU) or University of California (UC)

      When Is It Effective?

      • 2015-2016 Academic School Year
    • AB 2009 (Dream Resource Center)
      Date of Enactment Still in progress. Not yet approved

      Dream Resource Center

      What It Does

      This bill encourages creating Dream Resource Centers/Liaisons at California public High Schools, Community Colleges, and CSU campuses to support the higher education endeavors of undocumented students.

      Who Benefits From This Law?

      Undocumented Students that qualify for the California Dream Act

      When Is It Effective

      • Pending
    • SB 1159 (Professions And Vocations)
      Date of Enactment September 28, 2014

      Professions and Vocations

      What It Does

      Prohibits any entity within the department from denying licensure to an applicant based on his or her citizenship status, or immigration status.

      Who Benefits From This Law?

      Students with no lawful immigration status with a valid Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) or those who have befitted from Deferred Action (SSN) who will be practicing professions

      When Was It Effective?

      • September 28, 2015
    • AB 60 (CA Drivers License)
      Date of Enactment October 3, 2013

      Driving License For Undocumented Community

      What It Does

      • This bill allows driver’s licenses for undocumented workers for the first since 1993.
      • Undocumented Workers will have their first opportunity to obtain California driver’s licenses.

      Who Benefits From This Law?

      Undocumented workers 16-years and older receive driver’s licenses if the complete driver’s education and training, and also pass California’s written and driving tests.

      When Was It Effective?

      • 2015
    • Medi-Cal
      Date of Enactment 2015

      Also Known As Medicaid

      It is NOT part of Obamacare or the Affordable Care Act!

      What It Does

      • Allows individuals apply for and receive Full-Scope Medi-Cal free of charge (Sate Funded Insurance)

      Who Benefits From This Law?

      DREAMers (Undocumented Students) who qualify for DACA.

      When Was It Effective?

      • 2015