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Prospective Undocumented Students

If you are an undocumented student who has applied or planning to apply to San Diego State University (SDSU), we have provided some important information for you to review and follow so we can best serve you.   

Apply to EOP

As a prospective AB 540 student, we encourage you to apply to the EOP program during the application filing period of October 1 – November 30th  via the Cal State Apply website. The Educational Opportunity Program is designed to improve students’ academic success for students who are low-income and come from historically disadvantaged backgrounds and communities. As an EOP student at SDSU, we will provide you with support services to make sure you are able to perform satisfactorily and persist through graduation.

Each CSU campus’ EOP Program offers different support services to their students. We encourage you to visit the website of each EOP program in which you are applying to in order to understand the support services that specific campus provides. For a list of support services in which SDSU’s EOP Program provides, please visit our Programs page.

How to Apply

As you are filling out the CSU admission application via Cal State Apply, answer “YES” I would like to be considered for EOP and answer the questions related to yourself (student) and your parent(s)/guardian(s).  Be sure to fully answer the 4-5 biographical questions which provide additional information regarding your commitment to succeed in the CSU. Recommender forms will be automatically emailed to the individuals listed by the applicant. Please be prepared to list the recommender’s email address on the application. You must also apply for the CA DREAM Act by the end of December in order to have priority consideration to the program at SDSU.

Once you are classified as AB 540, and if selected for EOP, you will receive an admit letter and email notifications with instructions on signing up for the First Contact, Summer Bridge Program (high school grads), Transfer Bridge Program (community college) and much more.

If you submitted your Cal State Apply application, and you did NOT select yes to apply for EOP, please log in using your username and password and go to the EOP tile and complete the EOP application by January 15th for program consideration.

Private Colleges that accept Undocumented Sept 2016

Please Note: If you are an AB540 student and not admitted into EOP, you will still have full access to utilize the resources of the Undocumented Support Area within EOP. We will provide various workshops and resources to our undocumented students throughout the academic year.


Cynthia Torres

Cynthia Torres

Undocumented Resource Area Coordinator

619-594-4799

Hours of Work: (Mon-Fri) 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Education:

M.A., Postsecondary Educational Leadership with emphasis in Student Affairs, San Diego State University B.A., Psychology, San Diego State University

In addition to being the Undocumented Resource Area (URA) Coordinator, Cynthia serves as the advisor for Education Without Borders (EWB). EWB is a student organization which aims to create a support system for undocumented and other marginalized students which encourages diversity and the right to equal access to education. Cynthia received both her BA in Psychology and a MA in Postsecondary Educational Leadership with emphasis in Student Affairs at San Diego State University.

In addition to being the Undocumented Resource Area (URA) Coordinator, Cynthia serves as the advisor for Education Without Borders (EWB). EWB is a student organization which aims to create a support system for undocumented and other marginalized students which encourages diversity and the right to equal access to education.

If you are an undocumented student who has applied or planning to apply to San Diego State University (SDSU), we have provided some important information for you to review and follow through, so that we can best serve you.

Are you an undocumented student who wants to apply to San Diego State University or any other CSU?

If you are a high school or transfer student, you can apply to the California State University through Cal State Apply.

To apply to CSU, you should:

  1. Select a CSU campus to attend.
  2. Apply for admission during the priority filing periord (October 1 - November 30) by filling out the CSU Application at Cal State Apply.
  3. Research how you will pay for college. If youre seeking an AB 540/AB 2000 exemption you will follow the same admission process as any other student. If you're granted an AB 540 exemption, you will be charged in-state tuition and fees.

For additional information, please visit the chancellor’s office website.

What’s next after you apply to SDSU?

Admissions:

If admitted to San Diego State University (SDSU), please follow Steps To Enrollment you can find these steps and other information. 

You will be asked to turn in transcripts, which will demonstrate part of your eligibility for AB 540 or AB 2000.  Follow information provided in Steps To Enrollment. 

What’s next for CA Residents who are undocumented? (Dates are estimates)

March/April is traditionally the time of year when you will be notified of your admissions status decision. If admitted see information below 

  • You will need to fill out a Residency Questionnaire
  • You will then be sent the California Non-Resident Tuition Exemption (AB 540) form.
  • May 1: Accept your Intent to Enroll & Official Transcripts with Fall 2017 grades.
    • $400 non-refundable Intent to Enroll deposit 
  • May 4th Housing License Agreement is Due (if you are required or wish to live on campus)
    • $375 non-refundable housing agreement is due 
  • Transfer Students must submit final transcripts with spring term grades from community college. Transfer important dates 
  • High School Seniors must send your official transcripts with spring grades and that shows you graduated.  Freshmen Important dates

Once SDSU grants you AB 540 (in-state tuition) status, you do not need to re-submit an AB 540 Affidavit  as long as your visa status doesn't change.

Please be reassured that all information regarding residency will be protected and only utilized for institutional purposes.  All personal and parent information will not be shared with any outside agencies.

If you do not qualify for AB 540, you will be classified as non-resident, which will impact your tuition to the campus.

** These are suggested questions, you may want to ask when calling Admissions

  • How are you speaking with
  • When does Admissions send out the Affidavit?
  • What other forms will be required to be fill out?
  • How long does it take to be classified as AB 540- from the time you are sent information to the time you maybe categorized as AB 540? 

Please be reassured that all information regarding residency will be protected and only utilized for institutional purposes. All personal and parent information is CONFIDENTIAL.

Financial Aid:

You must apply to CA DREAM Act, which is exactly like FAFSA if you are undocumented student and/or DACA recipient 

  • SAME NAME:  please use the exact same name for CA DREAM Act that you used for CAL State Apply.  This may be the only way to match your files together. If you do not have same name, matching your file will be more challenging and delay your awarding.
  • School Code: Be sure to list SDSU Federal School Code on your CA DREAM Act, for that information please visit Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships 
  • Follow Up: be sure to create both portals listed below for important communications and follow up on any requested documents.

Once you are classified as AB 540 (for In-State Tuition), your Financial Aid Award will appear (If you have completed CA DREAM Act).  You can check your Financial Aid status via AIDLINK and verify all documented are in and any requests for any additional documents (i.e.  taxes, parent taxes, etc)

Nationwide, there is no Federal Financial Aid available to any undocumented person. Unfortunately, if you are not eligible for AB 540, then you will not be eligible for California State Financial Aid (see AB 540 criteria). 

If you are interested in attending SDSU and are not AB 540, and are out-of-state, or a non-local student, we would strongly suggest you follow some important steps to financing your education, as you will have additional expenses.

All undocumented students, are encouraged to seek out as many scholarships as possible to cover their cost of attendance (COA).

For those who are non-local or out-of-state, you need to have enough funds to cover housing and meal plans in addition to your tuition and other costs.

  • Apply for a minimum 10 scholarships (if not more) and be sure they add up to your Cost of Attendance
  • We have listed some outside scholarships (hyperlink) for your convenience, however, please do not limit yourself to these.  Feel free to do research on your own, for scholarships.  Look for “free scholarships open to undocumented students” or “free scholarships open to dreamers” 
  • Beware of scams, never pay to apply for scholarships or to obtain a scholarship

If you are a DACA recipient, you can apply to work on-campus as long as your DACA has not expired

Has your residency changed from undocumented and/or out of state or foreign status? If you are in the process of obtaining your US Residency, please visit the office of the Registrars website for instructions and forms you will need to fill out.

Please do not hesitate to ask if you have any questions Cynthia