Dreamers Support Program

The San Diego Community College District (SDCCD) welcomes undocumented students and immigrants, parents, staff, faculty, and community members. The District is committed to maintaining a safe space for all students as they pursue their academic and professional goals.

The Dreamers Centers on SDCCD's campuses provides programs and services to help empower undocumented students to achieve their academic and personal pursuits, and become active members of the community. Centers serve as a resource to help students with access to higher education, advocacy and educational materials, campus-based and community services, current events, engagement activities, legal aid referrals, legislative updates, and more.

Who is Undocumented? Someone who entered the country without inspection or entered legally, but overstayed, or a current or former DACA recipient, is in the legalization process, is a victim of human trafficking, or is a vulnerable immigrant with uncertain, or highly restricted legal status (e.g., T- and U-Visa holders, those with Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and asylum seekers).

Who are Dreamers? DACA recipients, immigrants brought into the United States of America as children, a term used more so by Latin American and Hispanic immigrants, or Undocu-Activists who support the Dreamers Movement and those immigrants who dream of a brighter future.

Undocumented Student Action Week

Undocumented Student Action Week is held each October at the SDCCD Colleges to help California Community College students know what resources are available to them and that they are not alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can an undocumented student go to college?

Yes! Undocumented and immigrant students may attend any California college or university where they are admitted. In addition, if they meet the requirements of a state law known as AB 540, undocumented students do not have to pay the much-higher tuition rate that usually applies to out-of-state students. Undocumented and immigrant students who qualify for AB 540 status can apply for state financial aid by completing the California Dream Act application.

Q: How can I qualify for AB 540 status at San Diego Community College District?

Complete an Admissions Application for admission at City College, Mesa College, or Miramar College.
Submit a completed California Nonresident Tuition Exemption Request form (AB 540 affidavit) to your campus.
If you have any questions, please contact the Admissions Office at your campus:

San Diego City College Admissions Office: (619) 388-3475
San Diego Mesa College Admissions Office: (619) 388-2682
San Diego Miramar College Admissions Office: (619) 388-7844

Q: How do I qualify to pay in-state tuition?

In order to qualify under AB 540, an undocumented student must have:

Attended for three (3) full-time years or the equivalent at any combination of the following:
- Attend a California high school for three (3) years or more;
- Attend (3) or more years of high school coursework, and attend a combination of California elementary, secondary, and high school of three (3) years or more;
- Attend a combination of California high school, adult school, and community college for the equivalent of three (3) years or more
Graduated or obtained the equivalent of a high school diploma (or attainment of the equivalent, i.e. California-issued GED, CHSPE) or community college degree, or completed the requirements for transfer to a UC or CSU
Submitted an AB 540 affidavit, also known as a Nonresident Tuition Exemption Request form, to the college that you plan to attend. On this affidavit, you must state that you meet all the requirements and that you have filed an application to legalize your immigration status – or that you will file an application as soon as you are eligible to do so.

Q: How do I apply for state financial aid?

The California Dream Act (2011) allows AB 540 students to apply for state-funded financial aid, known as Cal Grants, and non-state funded scholarships.

The CA Dream Act Application
The CA Dream Act Application is FREE
Before starting the CA Dream Act Application, review the CA Dream Act Application Checklist
For more information on scholarships available, please click here

For more information, contact the Dreamer Resource Center for your campus:

San Diego City College | @dreamerresourcecenter | sdcity.edu/dreamer

San Diego Mesa College | @sdmesaeops | sdmesa.edu/eops

San Diego Miramar College | @sdmiramardreamers | sdmiramar.edu/campus/dreamers

San Diego College of Continuing Education |

FIND YOUR ALLIES

Higher Education Legal Services (HELS) provides FREE immigration legal services to students, staff, and faculty at San Diego and Imperial Counties community and state colleges. Virtual and in-person appointments are available.

Learn More