Grants/Scholarships

Welcome! Thank you for taking a look at the financial opportunities associated with the AB540 and Undocumented Student Center and other opportunities for support. All resources offered through our Center do not require repayment and are not loans. Questions about offered financial aid can be directed to the Financial Aid office via my.ucdavis.edu. Here are several additional resources for student financial support as well:

Additional questions can be directed to ab540-undocumented@ucdavis.edu

Center Grants and Scholarships 

Dragonfly Leadership Award

NOTE: To fill out the application you must use your UC Davis student email 

This is a one-time opportunity for 6-8 undergraduate/post-baccalaureate UC Davis students to be awarded up to $1,000 – based on financial aid eligibility – to honor community service or leadership experience.  

Apply at: https://bit.ly/undocdragonfly

Application Opens: April 10, 2024 at 10 AM

Application Closes: May 8, 2024 at 10 AM

Announcement Made: Week of May 20, 2024

Amount Awarded: Six to eight $1,000 awards per quarter (based on student's financial aid eligibility) 

Eligibility Update (Fall 2023): Starting this 2023 -2024 Academic Year the Dragonfly Leadership Award will be a one-time award.

If you previously won the Dragonfly Leadership Award in the 2023-2024 Academic Year you are not eligible to apply for this scholarship. If you won this scholarship prior to the 23-24 Academic Year, you may still apply, however, priority consideration will be given to new scholarship applicants who have never been awarded de Dragonfly Leadership Award scholarship.

Decisions made by the AB540 and Undocumented Student Center Scholarship Committee composed of UC Davis graduate students, alumni, campus and community partners. 

We encourage the following students to apply:  

  • Enrolled in the current academic quarter as a UC Davis student with an AB540 verification and CA Dream Act Application on file with the UC Davis Financial Aid Office 
  • Have demonstrated financial need (based on Financial Aid information provided)    

Application Checklist: 

  • Resume (1-page front and back max) 
  • Short Written Statements  

Criteria (ranked Excellent, Good, Fair, Poor, N/A) 

1. Community and Familial Service and Engagement (e.g., childcare, interpreting/translating, etc.) 

OR

1. Campus/Community Leadership Experience (e.g., service to non-profits, community organizing, campus student organization, etc.) 
2. Commitment to Social Justice (e.g., articulates values in alignment with the Center’s mission and the UC Davis Principles of Community)
3. Motivated to achieve their goals.
4. Application overall 

Questions can be directed to the following email:  ab540-undocumented@ucdavis.edu. Please include the name of the scholarship in the subject line. 

UndocuScholar Award

NOTE: To fill out the application you must use your UC Davis student email

This is a one-time opportunity for 6-8 undergraduate/post-baccalaureate UC Davis students to be awarded up to $1,000 to honor stellar academic performance.  

Apply at: https://bit.ly/undocuscholar

Application Opens: April 10, 2024 at 10 AM

Application Closes: May 8, 2024 at 10 AM

Announcement Made: Week of May 20, 2024. 

Amount Awarded: Six to eight $1,000 awards per quarter (based on student's financial aid eligibility) 

Eligibility Update (Fall 2023): Starting this 2023 -2024 Academic Year the UndocuScholar Award will be a one-time award.

If you previously won the UndocuScholar Award in the 2023-2024 Academic Year you are not eligible to apply for this scholarship. If you won this scholarship prior to the 23-24 Academic Year, you may still apply, however, priority consideration will be given to new scholarship applicants who have never been awarded de UndocuScholar Award.

Decisions made by the AB540 and Undocumented Student Center Scholarship Committee composed of UC Davis graduate students, alumni, campus and community partners. 

We encourage the following students to apply:

  • Currently enrolled in the current academic quarter as an undergraduate/post-bacc UC Davis student with an AB540 verification and CA Dream Act Application on file with the UC Davis Financial Aid Office 
  • Admitted AB 540/undocumented students in the MURALS or BUSP programs are highly encouraged to apply.
  • Must have 2.5 cumulative GPA or higher   

Application materials:

  • Transcript (Include a copy of your unofficial transcript) 
  • Short Written Statements  

Criteria (ranked Excellent, Good, Fair, Poor, N/A) 

  • Motivation to achieve academic/professional goals
  • Expressed passion for the field(s) of study
  • Commitment to social justice (e.g., articulates values in alignment with the Center’s mission and the UC Davis Principles of Community)
  • Academic Standing
  • Application Overall

Questions can be directed to the following email: ab540-undocumented@ucdavis.edu. Please include the name of the scholarship in the subject line. 

Graduate/Professional School Student Support Award 

NOTE: To fill out the application you must use your UC Davis student email. 

The Graduate/Professional School Student Support Award is a one-time opportunity for undocumented graduate/professional school UC Davis students to be awarded up to $3,000 – based on financial aid eligibility – for academic excellence and/or stellar leadership/community service.  

Apply at: https://bit.ly/ab540gradapp

Application Opens: April 10, 2024 at 10 AM

Application Closes: May 8, 2024 at 10 AM

Announcement Made: Week of May 20, 2024

Amount Awarded: Ranges from $1,500- $3,000 (based on student's financial aid eligibility) 

Eligibility Update (Fall 2023): Starting this 2023 -2024 Academic Year the Graduate/Professional School Student Support Award will be a one-time award.

If you previously won the Graduate/Professional School Student Support Award in the 2023-2024 Academic Year you are not eligible to apply for this scholarship. If you won this scholarship prior to the 23-24 Academic Year, you may still apply, however, priority consideration will be given to new scholarship applicants who have never been awarded de Graduate/Professional School Student Support Award.

Decisions made by the AB540 and Undocumented Student Center Scholarship Committee composed of UC Davis graduate students, alumni, campus and community partners 

We encourage the following students to apply:  

  • Enrolled in the current academic quarter as a UC Davis graduate/professional school student with an AB540 verification and CA Dream Act Application on file with the UC Davis Financial Aid Office 
  • Have demonstrated financial need (based on Financial Aid information provided)  
  • Demonstrated academic excellence, leadership experience, and/or stellar community service  
  • 2.5 cumulative GPA or higher - (Medical Students - A GPA is not required for you)

Application Materials: 

  • Resume 
  • Short Written Statements

Criteria (ranked Excellent, Good, Fair, Poor, N/A) 

1. Community and Familial Service and Engagement (e.g., childcare, interpreting/translating, etc.)
OR
1. Campus/Community Leadership Experience (e.g. service to non-profits, community organizing, campus student organization, etc.)
2. Motivation to achieve academic/professional goals
3. Commitment to Social Justice (e.g. articulates values in alignment with the Center’s mission and the UC Davis Principles of Community)
4. Application Overall 

Questions can be directed to the following email: ab540-undocumented@ucdavis.edu. Please include the name of the scholarship in the subject line.  

Professional Development Grant 

This grant is intended for undocumented scholars to use to offset the cost of conference attendance, professional development opportunities, and other academic or experiential learning opportunities requiring travel, conference fees, membership fees, etc. for eligible students. 
Examples of professional development opportunities

  • Annual membership fee connected to your career interests
  • Annual membership tool that helps your career interests (zoom, canva pro, etc.)
  • Conference attendance connected to your career interests
  • Travel costs for a conference, workshop, etc.
  • Coaching or Mentorship Program

Examples of personal development opportunities

  • Convening or workshop attendance connected to your personal goals
  • Retreat attendance connected to something you are personally working on
  • Coaching or Mentorship Program
  • Book or tools helpful to bettering your well-being (The Nap Ministries Rest Deck, Beyond survival book, etc.)
  • Program connected to things that ground you or help you feel whole (herbalism, doulas work, etc.) 

QUESTIONS can be directed via email to ab540-undocumented@ucdavis.edu.
Please include the name of the grant in the subject line.

Who is eligible to apply for the grant?

Currently enrolled in the current academic quarter as an undergraduate/post-bacc graduate or professional school UC Davis student with an AB540 verification and CA Dream Act Application on file with the UC Davis Financial Aid Office (if you have questions about this please email ab540-undocumented@ucdavis.edu)               
You must have 2.5 cumulative GPA or higher (Note: If your GPA is lower than the GPA listed previously you will automatically be ineligible for this grant.)

Requirements if Awarded

Within 3 weeks of your engagement, you will be required to submit documentation of how your grant money was used.

This can be in the form of a video, slideshow, vlog/blog,  journal entries, etc. Receipts from purchases where you used the grant money will also be required to be submitted. 

APPLY HERE

The Spring Quarter 24' application OPENS April 10, 2024, at 10 AM

The Spring Quarter 24' application CLOSES May 10, 2024, at 10 AM

Announcement Made: Week of May 20, 2024

Opportunity Grant 

The Opportunity Grant helps offset unexpected expenses through basic needs and USCIS filing fee support up to $1,000/year - based on financial aid eligibility. The application will open and close quarterly until funds are depleted for the academic year. Please email us at ab540-undocumented@ucdavis.edu with questions regarding additional financial assistance or other opportunities.

We encourage UC Davis California Dream Act Application students enrolled in the current academic period (at least 6 credits/units) and UC Davis undocumented students with or without AB540 verification and CA Dream Act Application on file with the UC Davis Financial Aid Office. If this is your first time submitting an application, an intake meeting will be needed. Please allow up to 5 business days for us to process your application: we will contact you with any additional steps. You can complete this process by filling out the application and providing the supplementary information requested. 

Apply here: https://bit.ly/undocoppgrant

The Spring Quarter 24' application OPENS April 10, 2024, at 10 AM

The Spring Quarter 24' application CLOSES May 10, 2024, at 10 AM

Announcements for scholarships on the week of May 20, 2024.

*Undocumented students without AB540 are strongly encouraged to reach out to us directly at ab540-undocumented@ucdavis.edu*

*Other Resources Outside of Our Center*

California Dream Act Application (CADAA)

The California Dream Act Application allows students interested in attending eligible California Colleges, Universities, and Career Education Programs to apply for state financial aid. This application is unrelated to the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and the previously proposed national DREAM Act Legislations. This application is free. The information provided on your California Dream Act Application is used to calculate your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The EFC is used by UC Davis to determine your eligibility for financial aid. You can apply for financial aid before you apply for admissions. For more information about CADAA review the information on the UC Davis Financial Aid Office website: https://financialaid.ucdavis.edu/undergraduate/apply  and or the California Student Aid Commissions website at https://dream.csac.ca.gov/

Immigrants Rising Fellowships & Scholarships

Immigrants Rising (formerly E4FC) is a renowned non-profit located in the Bay Area. Driven by and for Undocumented people, they aim to support Undocumented students in achieving their educational and career goals. Accompanying their Scholarship Application Guide and Scholarship Essay Tool, they have compiled lists of fellowships and scholarships that do not require proof of citizenship or lawful permanent residence status in the United States.

My Undocumented Life

The mission of My Undocumented Life is to provide up-to-date information and resources to Undocumented students. They include a list of  My Undocumented Life scholarships.

Yolo County Short Term Emergency Aid Committee

Food, utility, rental, and job readiness help for qualified individuals living in Yolo County with incomes at or below the federal poverty level found at the STEAC website.

Health Equity Fund

With the support of campus, the Health Fee Oversight Committee, and the UC Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP), students can apply for financial assistance, in the form of a grant. Funds are available to all students who are experiencing significant out of pocket expenses related to accessing health care, or, to students who have a significant privacy concern as a dependent (e.g., sexual health services). Grants may be requested for expenses that total at least $50. If awarded, students should consult a tax professional to determine if the grant award is taxable.

Questions? Please contact the Insurance Services office at the Student Health and Wellness Center. They can be reached at insurance@shcs.ucdavis.edu.

Here are additional resources for student financial support as well:

Financial Aid

1100 Dutton Hall (view Dutton Hall on the campus map)
One Shields Avenue
Davis, CA 95616-8596
Office Hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Friday
Telephone: 530-752-2390 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday)