Governor Signs Into Law The California Dream Act Allowing NonImmigrants Aliens Access To Private Scholarships At Public Colleges And Universities
August 2011
Number 37
On July 25, 2011, Governor Jerry Brown signed into law Assembly Bill (AB) 130, also known as the California Dream Act. Beginning January 1, 2012, California will allow illegal immigrants attending the state's community colleges, the California State University, or the University of California to be eligible for privately funded scholarships.
Under existing Education Code section 68130.5, an illegal immigrant student is exempt from paying non-resident tuition if he or she:
(1) Has attended a high school in California for 3 or more years;
(2) Has graduated from a California high school or its equivalent;
(3) Is registered or enrolled at a California accredited institution of higher education;
and
(4) Has filed an affidavit with the institution stating that he or she has filed an application to legalize his or her immigration status.
AB 130 creates a new provision in the Education Code, section 66021.7, which provides that a student who is exempt from paying nonresident tuition under Education Code section 68130.5 is now also eligible to receive a scholarship derived from nonstate, private funds. At this time, the state legislature has not approved AB 131, a companion bill that would expand eligibility for public financial aid to illegal immigrants. AB 131 was approved by the Assembly in June and placed on the Senate fiscal committee's suspense file, and the full Senate has not yet voted on AB 131.
If you have any questions regarding the California Dream Act, or for other higher education issues, please contact one of our eight offices located statewide or consult our website.
Kevin Mills
Shareholder & Higher Education Practice Group Chair
Walnut Creek Office
kmills@lozanosmith.com
Kimberly Gee
Associate
Monterey Office
kgee@lozanosmith.com
2011 Lozano Smith
Number 37
On July 25, 2011, Governor Jerry Brown signed into law Assembly Bill (AB) 130, also known as the California Dream Act. Beginning January 1, 2012, California will allow illegal immigrants attending the state's community colleges, the California State University, or the University of California to be eligible for privately funded scholarships.
Under existing Education Code section 68130.5, an illegal immigrant student is exempt from paying non-resident tuition if he or she:
(1) Has attended a high school in California for 3 or more years;
(2) Has graduated from a California high school or its equivalent;
(3) Is registered or enrolled at a California accredited institution of higher education;
and
(4) Has filed an affidavit with the institution stating that he or she has filed an application to legalize his or her immigration status.
AB 130 creates a new provision in the Education Code, section 66021.7, which provides that a student who is exempt from paying nonresident tuition under Education Code section 68130.5 is now also eligible to receive a scholarship derived from nonstate, private funds. At this time, the state legislature has not approved AB 131, a companion bill that would expand eligibility for public financial aid to illegal immigrants. AB 131 was approved by the Assembly in June and placed on the Senate fiscal committee's suspense file, and the full Senate has not yet voted on AB 131.
If you have any questions regarding the California Dream Act, or for other higher education issues, please contact one of our eight offices located statewide or consult our website.
Kevin Mills
Shareholder & Higher Education Practice Group Chair
Walnut Creek Office
kmills@lozanosmith.com
Kimberly Gee
Associate
Monterey Office
kgee@lozanosmith.com
2011 Lozano Smith
As the information contained herein is necessarily general, its application to a particular set of facts and circumstances may vary. For this reason, this News Brief does not constitute legal advice. We recommend that you consult with your counsel prior to acting on the information contained herein.
