Our Commitment
The APASS program at Laney College is committed to supporting this emerging student population as they pursue their goals within higher education, as well as assisting all students to access the opportunities for growth and success provided at Laney College.
There are approximately 11.5- 12 million undocumented people living here in the United States, according to a report by the Pew Hispanic Center. A common stereotype about undocumented students is that they are only Latino. Asian and Pacific Islander undocumented students are often overlooked and do not know how to access resources for immigrants.
Still, it is rarely discussed within their families given the cultural stigma, and therefore most of these students do not find out until they begin applying for college.
The same report estimates that Asian and Pacific Islanders make 1.5 million of the undocumented population.
California Assembly Bill 540 (AB 540)
In 2001, the state of California passed AB 540 into law, legislation that would authorize any student, including undocumented students, to be eligible for in-state tuition at any one of the campuses within the state’s California Community College, California State and University of California systems if they meet the following criteria:
- You must have attended a California high school for 3 or more years.
- You must have graduated from a California high school or attained the equivalent of a high school diploma.
- You must have registered or currently be enrolled at an accredited institution of higher education in California.
- You must have filed or will file an affidavit as required by individual institutions, stating that you will apply for legal residency as soon as possible.
- You may not be a non-immigrant holding a valid lettered non-immigrant visa.
AB 540 Advocacy
Asian Students Promoting Immigration Rights through Education (ASPIRE)
The mission of ASPIRE, a program within the Asian Law Caucus, is to provide support for immigrant youth and allow them to reach their dreams through education.
AB 540 Scholarships
Educators for a Fair Consideration
Online scholarship directory.
Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund
A list of scholarships open to all students regardless of immigration status and/or ethnicity.
The Bay Area Gardener’s Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to provide financial support to
eligible economically disadvantaged students to attend college.
The Achievement Award Program- UC Berkeley
The Achievement Award Program is a four-year scholarship program for incoming freshman students and a two-year scholarship program for incoming junior transfer students. Only incoming Cal students are eligible to apply for this scholarship program.
The Leadership Award Program – UC Berkeley
The Leadership Award is a one-year, merit-based scholarship that recognizes Cal students who demonstrate innovative, motivational leadership impacting their academic, work, or community environments.
Beware of Scholarship Scams
Be wary of scholarship applications that require an “application fee.” Also proceed with caution with scholarship matching services that guarantee results and sales pitches that describe themselves as financial aid workshops or seminars.
More Information On AB 540 Issues
AB 540/Undocumented Student Resource Guide – University of Southern California
Undocumented Students: Unfulfilled Dreams – UCLA Center for Labor Research and Education
