California Dream Act Offers Path to College for Undocumented Students

When the California Dream Act passed in October 2011, making undocumented students eligible for state college aid, Downtown College Prep's 540 Club celebrated. The San Jose, Calif., charter school's club is named for an earlier state law, AB 540, that made undocumented students eligible for in-state tuition.

Nearly all of DCP's "540 students" enroll in community college, work part time, and live at home to keep costs down. The new law waives community college fees for low-income students. When 540 students transfer, often to San Jose State University, they'll be able to apply for Cal Grants to pay tuition.

But it's not just about money, says Jennifer Andaluz, the school's executive director. Students see the new law as a "symbolic win," perhaps a step toward a federal law that would include a path to citizenship. And even without that, most believe they'll find a way to legalize some day, somehow, Andaluz says. "They're very optimistic, very hopeful, very resilient."

Undocumented college graduates find jobs, too. "They're resourceful," says Andaluz.

Seventy-five percent of the state's Latino college students are enrolled in low-cost community colleges, Excelencia in Education estimates. The 540 students are even more likely to choose a community college.