Student sitting on bench at the UC Davis quad.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

If you can’t find an answer, or if you have follow-up questions, please email the career staff at: undocumented@ucdavis.edu. If you are a UC Davis Student, please use your UC Davis email address

AB540 Exemption Help

  • Where can I receive help to complete my AB540 exemption for in-state tuition?

  • Final determination for AB540 status and extensions, as it relates to California residence for purposes of tuition, at UC Davis, resides under the sole discretion of the UC Davis Residence Deputies. No other campus entity, including our department, is authorized to advise. 

    Incoming and continuing students are encouraged to direct their questions directly to the Residence Deputies.

Financial Aid

  • How do I qualify for financial aid at UC Davis?

  • There are many different ways to finance your education at UC Davis. FAFSA-eligible students (US citizens, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), individuals granted asylum, T visa recipients, etc.) can apply to the FAFSA. 

    The California Dream Act Application (CADAA) is available to students who identify as undocumented, U visa recipients, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) recipients, or individuals with pending asylum applications. Additionally, you must qualify for AB540 status to receive state-based financial support.

    Post-baccalaureate, graduate, and professional students may also qualify for limited financial support through the FAFSA or CADAA, provided they meet certain eligibility requirements. You are encouraged to speak with the Graduate Studies Financial Aid office, your professional school's Financial Aid office, or your academic department to learn more details and explore funding opportunities. 

  • Who can I ask for help with my Financial Aid?

  • Our center is excited to have Leo Flores as our Financial Aid Liaison (Officer) to help undocumented students navigate UC Davis Financial Aid. Leo is available to assist you in understanding your myAwards letter, appeals, and completing the California Dream Act Application. 

    Admitted and continuing undocumented students can make a virtual appointment with Leo through his appointment calendar or view our event calendar to know when Leo will be visiting the center in person.

  • What financial resources does the Center offer?
  • Our center provides a grant and scholarship(s) that are available for eligible undocumented students with or without a California Dream Act Application on file. We invite you to visit our grants and scholarships page for more information on what we are currently offering.
  • I recently adjusted my status to lawful permanent resident (LPR, or “green card holder”), asylee (i.e. granted asylum), or T visa recipient. Do I qualify for federal financial aid (FAFSA) now or do I keep filing the California Dream Act Application (CADAA)? 

  • Alongside U.S. citizens (birthright or "naturalized" through immigration processes), T visa recipients, and asylees, lawful permanent residents (LPRs, or "green card holders") qualify for FAFSA. Once the transition to FAFSA filing status begins, students may be required to undergo the secondary verification process. We advise speaking with our center's Financial Aid Advisor for assistance. 

    To have the federal financial aid systems be aware of your previous financial aid experiences, it can sometimes be useful to share/transfer your financial information from the state of California's Student Aid Commission (CSAC) to the federal financial aid portals that host FAFSA. This can be done in tandem with a financial aid officer at future schools of enrollment via the G-55 form, which can be found on the CSAC website.

Legal Support

  • How do I make an appointment with the UC Immigrant Legal Services - UC Davis staff attorney?

  • Free Legal Immigration Consultations are provided by our partners at the UC Immigrant Legal Services Center (UC Imm). Their services are available to all UC students and their immediate family members at no cost.

    Email UC Imm Staff Attorney Chris Relos via the following email to request an appointment: UCDavisImm@law.ucdavis.edu. You will receive an email back with a form called “Request a Legal Consultation” to complete and send back. The UC Imm team will then follow up with you for a consultation appointment, depending on capacity and need.

  • Where can I obtain Know Your Rights Cards?
  • Our Legal Support website provides both information on how to obtain cards individually and as a UC Davis department.
  • Where can I learn more about the impact of immigration policies on the UC Davis campus?
  • Our Center is committed to helping you stay informed about the dynamic immigration legal landscape our students navigate. With numerous, quickly evolving federal policy shifts underway, the University of California is working diligently to monitor these developments and seek clarity on a range of issues. Our Immigration Policy website will have additional information.

Basic Needs

  • What support is offered for undocumented students trying to find housing on- or off-campus?

  • Students interested in living on campus are encouraged to contact Student Housing and Dining Service directly for additional support.

    For off-campus housing support, we encourage you to check in with our peers at Aggie Compass who can provide you with support in your housing or rehousing search.  For off-campus housing, the “typical” Davis lease cycle is a lease that starts September 1st and ends August 31st. Most of our students use their financial aid, which often disburses a check at the beginning of each academic term, to “budget out” their quarter (i.e. purchase books, cash checks or disburse to a bank account, etc.).

  • Does the Center offer any food resources for students?
  • Our center is proud to collaborate with both the Student Farm and Aggie Compass to host an UndocuPantry. We also have a small “Snack Shack” where you are welcome to grab a snack on the go! Please make sure to sign in with your Student ID when “checking out” your UndocuPantry or Snack Shack items. Note: Options are limited over the summer due to limited operation