UC Davis Undocumented Student Center Hailed As Example For Other Schools
UC DAVIS (CBS13) — All California students would welcome a tuition hold, including undocumented students who are eligible for state tuition.
UC President Janet Napolitano will host a seminar on Thursday showing how colleges and universities can better serve students living in the country illegally.
A state law allows undocumented students to qualify for in-state tuition, but navigating through the requirements can be confusing.
UC Davis launched the AB540 and Undocumented Student Center last October and has helped counsel hundreds of students who are in the U.S. illegally. It's a place where they can get legal and academic advice, and it's become a model for other colleges.
"How do I get people to come out as undocumented you know? Because I mean, it's something that I take pride of, but a lot of other students don't," said student Ana Maciel.
Undocumented students don't qualify for federal aid and loans. The center offers these students critical help navigating state laws that give eligible students in-state tuition and financial aid.
The center's director says she's an even stronger believer in the support it provides for students.
The center is possible because of funding from a $5 million grant spread out among the UCs.