AB 540 allows qualified undocumented students to be exempt from paying significantly higher out-of-state tuition at public colleges and universities in California. By making college more affordable, AB 540 has had a significant impact on the lives of many undocumented students who have dreams of attending college.
Students are eligible for the AB 540 exemption if they meet ALL of the following requirements:
- Attend a California high school for 3 or more years;
- Graduate from a California high school or receive the equivalent, such as a GED;
- Submit an affidavit (a written promise) to the California public college or university where they are attending or plan to attend. In this statement students declare that they meet all AB 540 requirements and if they are undocumented, that they have filed an application to adjust their immigration status or will do so as soon as they are eligible to do so.
If you are an undocumented student, you are not alone. MALDEF encourages you to pursue your educational aspirations. You CAN go to college! It is more important than ever for undocumented students to take advantage of this valuable educational opportunity. Below are resources for you to have a better understanding of AB 540 and to assist you in pursuing your dreams of going to college.
MALDEF continues to provide community education about AB 540 as well as works to protect AB 540 in the legislature and the courts. It is important that as many AB 540-qualifying students as possible know about this law. You can become an advocate and empower other students by using the resources listed below.
MALDEF Urges California Supreme Court Review Of In-State Tuition Ruling
AB 540 Still Remains in Effect Pending Final Resolution
September 16, 2008
LOS ANGELES, CA — On Monday, a California Court of Appeals issued a ruling that casts doubt on the validity of California’s AB 540 law. AB 540 is a California law that provides a waiver of out-of-state tuition costs at California’s public colleges and universities for any student — regardless of immigration status — who has completed three years at a California high school and has obtained a high school diploma.
Specifically, the Court of Appeals held that AB 540 granted eligibility for in-state tuition based on residence within the state and therefore violated federal law. This ruling was made despite the fact that the eligibility criteria are based on attending a California high school and receiving a diploma, criteria unrelated to state residency. The case will likely be resolved through an appeal to the California Supreme Court.
“The Court of Appeal’s decision yesterday should not close the door to education for immigrant students in California. They are graduates of our public schools, and they and their parents have paid taxes to the state. California needs them for our future, and ignoring their ties to California makes us all poorer,” said MALDEF Regional Counsel Nancy Ramírez.
AB 540 remains in effect and will likely continue in effect until a final resolution of the case. In the meantime, eligible students should still be able to receive the tuition waiver. If AB 540 is ultimately struck down, undocumented students who would have been eligible will still be allowed to attend California’s public colleges and universities, but they will be required to pay out-of-state tuition instead of in-state tuition.
The decision is yet another reason for the next President and Congress to exercise their constitutional authority to enact comprehensive immigration reform. Many of these students and their parents work in the most dangerous and difficult jobs in our state and country. Their hard work and aspirations for higher education cannot be ignored.
“We will take this fight to the California Supreme Court if necessary. Current AB 540 students, the vast majority of whom are U.S. citizens, should not be discouraged. Their place in college remains secure. Neither the Court of Appeal yesterday, nor any other court in America, has attacked AB 540 or the principle behind the law,” said MALDEF Director of Litigation Cynthia Valenzuela.
MALDEF sought to intervene at the trial level and filed an amicus brief with the Court of Appeals. MALDEF will continue working with legislators, state officials, students, and the community to ensure AB 540 students remain eligible to pay in-state tuition.
MALDEF Urge A La Corte Surprema De California Examinar El Dictamen De La Matricula Estatal
La ley AB 540 todavía permanece en efecto en espera de una resolución final
September 16, 2008
LOS ANGELES, CA — Este lunes, una Corte de Apelación de California emitió un dictamen que pone en duda la validez de la ley AB 540 de California. La AB540 es una ley de California que provee una dispensa de los costos de matrícula no estatal en los colegios y universidades públicas de California para cualquier estudiante — sin importar el estatus migratorio del estudiante — quien haya completado tres años en una preparatoria de California y ha obtenido un diploma de la preparatoria.
Específicamente, la Corte de Apelación mantuvo que la ley AB 540 concedía elegibilidad para costos de matrícula estatal basada en residencia dentro del estado y que por esta razón, la ley violaba la ley federal. Este dictamen fue hecho por la corte a pesar del hecho de que el criterio para la elegibilidad esta basado en asistir una preparatoria de California y recibir un diploma de la preparatoria, criterio que no está relacionado a el tema de residencia dentro del estado. El caso probablemente será resuelto através de una apelación hecha a la Corte Suprema de California.
“La decisión de la corte de apelación de ayer no debe de cerrar la puerta hacia la educación para los estudiantes inmigrantes indocumentados en California. Ellos son graduados de nuestras escuelas públicas y ellos, y sus padres, han pagado impuestos al estado. California los necesita para nuestro futuro y ignorar sus lazos a California nos hace a todos más pobres,” dijo la Abogada Regional de MALDEF Nancy Ramírez.
La ley AB 540 permanece en efecto, y probablemente continuará permaneciendo en efecto hasta que haya una resolución final del caso. Mientras tanto, los estudiantes quienes son elegibles, deberían de poder continuar recibiendo la dispensa de los costos de matrícula. Si la ley de AB 540 es en última instancia derrotada, los estudiantes indocumentados quienes habrían sido elegibles para la dispensa de los costos de matrícula bajo la ley AB 540, todavía serán permitidos a asistir a los colegios y universidades públicas de California pero serán requeridos pagar los costos de matrícula no estatal en vez de pagar la matrícula estatal.
La decisión es otra razón para el próximo Presidente y Congreso a que cumplan con su autoridad constitucional por medio de promulgar una reforma migratoria comprensiva. Muchos de estos estudiantes y sus padres trabajan en los trabajos más peligrosos y difíciles dentro de nuestro estado y país. Su trabajo duro y sus aspiraciones para recibir una educación superior no pueden ser ignorados.
“Nosotros llevaremos esta lucha hasta la Corte Suprema de California, si es necesario. Los estudiantes actuales de AB 540, quienes la gran mayoría son ciudadanos de los Estados Unidos, no deben de desanimarse. Su lugar dentro del colegio permanece intacto. Ni la Corte de Apelación ayer, ni cualquier otra corte en America ha atacado la ley AB 540 o el principio de tras de la ley,” dijo Cynthia Valenzuela, la Directora de Litigio de MALDEF.
MALDEF buscó intervenir a nivel del juicio y presentó un escrito de un amigo de la corte con la Corte de Apelación. MALDEF trabajará junto con legisladores, oficiales del estado, estudiantes y la comunidad para permitir que los estudiantes de AB 540 permanezcan y paguen los costos de matrícula estatal.