AB 540 Dream Act

AB 540 and the "Dream Act"

A Path to Higher Education for Undocumented Immigrants

California Assembly Bill 540 (signed into law 2001)

Tuition rates are now more affordable for immigrant students interested in attending California's accredited public community college and universities. Under AB 540, students who meet ALL of the outlined requirements will qualify to pay in-state tuition.

To qualify a student must:

Attend a California high school for 3 or more years;
Graduate from a California high school or receive the equivalent general education diploma (GED);
Register or be currently enrolled in a California Community College, California State University, or a University of California;
Sign a statement with the college or university (NOT with INS) stating that he/she will apply for legal residency as soon as he/she is eligible to do so.

Additional Information:

Summary of AB 540 (Immigrant Legal Resource Center)

The Law: AB 540 in writing (PDF file)

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding AB 540 (Immigrant Legal Resource Center)

UC Web Page: Frequently Asked Questions about AB 540

AB 540 Fact Sheet (Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund) (PDF file)

UC Santa Barbara Web Page: AB 540 (inc. financial aid resources for immigrants)

UC Web Page: AB 540 (inc. contact list for AB 540 administrators on each campus)

Court Upholds AB 540 (October 2006)

(Free Adobe PDF software.)

Pending Federal Legislation: the DREAM ACT

US House of Representatives: HR 1918: the Student Adjustment Act
US Senate: Senate Bill 1291: Development, Relief and Education for "Alien" Minors Act (DREAM ACT)

Information Sheet (PDF) (prepared by the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund)

Basic Summary of DREAM ACT as of Feb. 2007 (PDF) (National Immigration Law Center)

Economic Benefits of the DREAM ACT (PDF) (National Immigration Law Center)

State by State Summary of Enacted Legislation (as of 2006)

Basic Facts about State Laws Granting In-State Tuition (National Immigration Law Center)