Scholarships for Undocumented Students
State, National, and Local
A variety of scholarships are available at the state, national and local level for students to take advantage of. We are here to help, so reach out to us if you have any questions on filling out the applications!
Scholarships for Undocumented Students
Receiving Financial Aid
AB 540 eligible undocumented students in California can receive various types of financial aid. Check out this video from Immigrants Rising learn about Tips for Receiving Financial Aid.
If you are planning to transfer, check out this helpful Budget Worksheet video from Immigrants Rising to break down cost of attendance and how much aid you will need to cover the costs.
Immigration Resources
Key Resources for Undocumented Students
Immigrants Rising’s “Protecting Student Data in CA”
This website provides insights into federal and state laws that protect student information, restrict
immigration enforcement in educational settings, and offer guidance for managing immigration-related
activities on campuses.
CSAC’s Undocumented Student Data Privacy Memo
This memo outlines key policies ensuring the privacy of undocumented student data and offers guidance on handling judicial subpoenas, reaffirming the commitment to protect all students, regardless of immigration status.
Presidents’ Alliance FERPA Overview
This overview summarizes federal policies safeguarding personally identifiable information in student records, emphasizing that immigration enforcement does not qualify as a condition for disclosure.
Immigration Legal Defense
Informed Immigrant: Inform the community with urgent and ever-changing needs of the immigrant community. Commitment to providing timely, reliable resources and support.
Partner School-Specific Scholarships
The Opportunity Scholarship is for high school graduates who (1) have DACA, TPS, or would have met the DACA eligibility criteria; and (2) live in targeted, locked-out states that do not offer in-state tuition to DREAMers. The Scholarship is for up to $80,000 to cover tuition, fees, and on-campus housing and meals for a bachelor’s degree.
Merit Scholarships (Academics, GPA-based)
Immigrants Rising Scholarship Fund
Must reside and attend a school in a bay area county and have a 3.0 GPA.
SOLAR ACTION ALLIANCE Scholarship
Must have a 3.2 GPA and submit an essay and verification of enrollment. Deadline is July 1st for a $1,000 scholarship. Deadline: July 1.
La Unidad Latina Foundation
La Unidad Latina Foundation Scholarships
This scholarship is for Hispanic students who are currently enrolled in an eligible
bachelor’s or master’s degree program at an accredited four-year college or university.
Eligible degrees include all bachelor’s degrees, Master of Arts, Master of Science, Master of Public Administration/Policy, Master of Social Work, Master of Education, and Master of Divinity.
Undergraduate students must have completed at least one full-time year of study and have a cumulative GPA between 2.8 and 3.6, and graduate students must have completed at least one full-time semester.
Need-based Scholarships (low-income status)
Latinos in Technology Scholarship
The Silicon Valley Community Foundation will present up to 100 Latinx students with up to $30,000 in scholarship aid. Must be an upcoming junior or senior majoring in STEM programs. Recipients will also be placed into Silicon Valley internships.
Becas Univision Scholarship (HSF)
Eligibility:
- Plan to enroll full-time in an accredited university in the fall of the desired scholarship year.
- Complete FAFSA or state based financial aid (if applicable).
- Ethnicity: Must be of Hispanic heritage.
- High School graduating seniors – Cumulative GPA of 3.00 GPA, based on a 4.00 scale (or equivalent) earned from 9th through the first semester/term of the 12th grade
- Undergraduate college students (including community college Transfers) – Cumulative GPA of 2.5, based on a 4.00 scale (or equivalent) earned is required for a minimum of 12 units/credits earned.
- Graduate college students- Cumulative GPA of 2.5, based on a 4.00 scale (or equivalent) earned is required for a minimum of 9 units/credits earned.
Deadline: Late March
Project-based Scholarships
The Soros Justice Fellowships
The Soros Justice Fellowships fund outstanding individuals to undertake projects that advance reform, spur debate, and catalyze change on a range of issues facing the U.S. criminal justice system.
Other Community Resources for Undocumented Students and Supporting Faculty
ITINS, EINS & Tax Rights
Immigrants Rising Guide for Undocumented people who have an ITIN or EIN.
Faculty and Staff Resources
California Federation of Teachers (CFT) Resources
- Creating Safe Havens webpage - educational materials and more
Safe Zone/Sanctuary Schools Movement
State (California) Resources for Educators
National Resources for Educators
Legal Resources
Stanford Law School - Immigrants’ Rights Clinic
(650) 724-9068
Services: Adjustment of status, asylum applications, DACA, DAPA, habeas corpus, NACARA, removal defense, T Visas, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), U Visas, VAWA petitions.
Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS)
Learn more about this opportunity for youth under 18 who may be eligible for a pathway to citizenship if abused or neglected by a parent.
Educational, Career and Other Services
Immigrants Rising (formerly E4FC)
(415) 787‐3432
Services: Adjustment of status, asylum applications, consular processing, DACA, DAPA, Employment authorization, employment-based immigrant and non-immigrant petitions, family-based petitions, habeas corpus, NACARA, naturalization/citizenship, removal defense, special immigrant juvenile status, T Visas, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), U Visas, VAWA petitions, Education/Scholarships, Educator Resources.
My (Un)Documented Life
Up to date information and resources for undocumented immigrants (scholarships, DACA, education, networking, educator/counselor resources, health, internships, articles, news.)