Dream Scholars

AB 540-Eligible and Undocumented Students

For general information on AB 540 and how your immigration status might impact your access to higher education and funding, visit http://www.ab540.com.

AB 540 Coalition of Santa Barbara
This organization works to empower AB 540-eligible students and provide them with information about Santa Barbara County resources, community events, college options, and financial aid and to connect them with allies in higher education. For more information, visit http://ab540coalition.org.

Adsum Educational Foundation
This organization provides educational scholarships and information on resources to graduates of Santa Barbara County high schools who are pursuing their associate’s or bachelor’s degrees at California Community College, California State University, and University of California campuses. Preference is given to students who are eligible for AB 540 benefits. For more information, visit www.adsumsb.org.

Café Picasso
A service of St. Michael’s University Church, Café Picasso is dedicated to supporting university students through a food pantry (accessible upon request) and weekly dinners on Fridays from 6 to 8 p.m. and, in particular, to providing a safe space for undocumented students. It is located at 6586 Picasso Road in Isla Vista. For more information, see www.facebook.com/CafePicasso or contact Reverend Nicole Janelle at (805) 968-2712.

California Student Aid Commission
California Dream Act applications and information about eligibility requirements for filing for AB 540 status can be found at http://www.csac.ca.gov.

Educational Opportunity Program (EOP)
AB 540-eligible undergraduate students can receive free and confidential support from UCSB’s Educational Opportunity Program by making an appointment with an EOP counselor at (805) 893-4758. EOP is located on the 2nd floor of the Student Resource Building (next to Pardall Tunnel).

Improving Dreams Equality Access and Success (IDEAS)
IDEAS is a student-led UCSB campus organization that aims to promote and support the education of immigrant students by providing social networks as well as academic and financial resources. For up-to-date contact information, visit http://ideasucsb.weebly.com.

MALDEF
MALDEF is a Latino civil rights organization working to promote social change in the areas of education, immigrant rights, and political access. They offer a guide on undergraduate scholarship resources that may be useful to you regardless of your background and immigration status: www.maldef.org/leadership/scholarships/resources/index.html. In addition, MALDEF’s Law School Scholarship Program awards 5-10 scholarships annually to law students enrolled at an accredited United States law school who demonstrate financial need and a commitment to advancing Latino civil rights in their careers. For more information, visit www.maldef.org/leadership/scholarships/index.html.

Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships
The California Dream Act became law through the passage of two assembly bills, AB 130 and AB 131. Collectively, these bills are known as the California Dream Act. As a result of this legislation, certain qualified nonresident students, including those who are undocumented, are eligible for institutional grants and scholarships awarded by California public colleges and universities. For more information on AB 540 eligibility, AB 130, and AB 131, please visit or call the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships at (805) 893-2432 to speak with an advisor. For funding resources from outside agencies that determine eligibility without regard to citizenship status, please visit www.finaid.ucsb.edu/Scholarships.aspx and click on “Undocumented Students.”

Social Worker Support
AB 540-eligible students can speak with a social worker for support and problem solving assistance. UCSB social workers can help identify your needs and work with you on a plan of action. Unlike other services, social workers may be available to students after they have withdrawn from UCSB and can assist with the transition to community resources. To schedule an appointment, call (805) 893-3087.

UCSB Dream Scholars Resource Team
The Dream Scholars Resource Team mission is to develop an awareness and understanding of the experiences of undocumented and AB 540-eligible students (while maintaining the confidentiality of individual students) and to develop campus responses and processes to address their needs related to persistence, retention, and graduation. The work group is comprised of students, staff, and faculty from across the UCSB campus. For more information, visit http://www.sa.ucsb.edu/dreamscholars.