Dreamer Student Resources

FPU strives to empower our Dreamer students to achieve their academic, professional, and personal goals. Through collaborations with various campus departments, and through the Fresno community, we aim to provide a safe and inclusive environment for all undocumented students.

Campus Resources

We want to make sure you’re equipped to tackle college. Our dedicated staff and faculty are here to make sure you don’t have to navigate your studies alone. From academic support to peer mentoring, we’re here for you. Visit the pages below to learn more about the various departments on campus that would love to get to know you and walk alongside you on your FPU journey.

Make an Appointment

The Office of Undergraduate Admission is in McDonald Hall, Room 120 (First Floor).
1717 S. Chestnut Ave,
Fresno, CA 93702
Phone: 559-453-2039
Email: Dreamers@fresno.edu

  • Semester Hours:
    Monday – Friday:
    8:00am – 5:00pm
  • Summer Hours:
    Monday – Thursday: 8:00am- 5:00pm
    Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Our Staff

Legal Support

Law Offices of Jennifer Doerrie
1690 West Shaw Avenue, Suite 106
Fresno, California 93711
Tel: 559-472-9591
Fax: 559-472-9908
Email: jdoerrie@gmail.com

Legal Disclaimer

Fresno Pacific University does not provide legal advice. The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only.

Readers of this website should contact an attorney to obtain advice with respect to any legal matter. No reader, user, or browser of this site should act or refrain from acting based on information on this site without first seeking legal advice.

Only an attorney can provide assurances that the information contained herein and your interpretation of it – is applicable or appropriate to your situation.

Other Financial Support

We offer a variety of federal, state and private financial aid programs to assist students. More than 97 percent of FPU students receive financial assistance in the form of scholarships, loans, grants and many on-campus employment opportunities. Last year we awarded more than $29 million in financial aid.

Contact Student Financial Services View Types of Financial Aid

Community Resources

Undocumented Student Terms

Undocumented Student(s)
A student that does not have US Citizenship, is not a permanent resident and is not studying on a student visa.
DREAMers

Undocumented youth are often referred to as “DREAMers”. This moniker came out of the DREAM Act movement. The Development Relief and Education of Alien Minors Act are proposed legislation first introduced in 2001. It recognizes that people brought to the U.S. by their families at a young age should not be penalized for the rest of their lives or relegated to a permanent underclass of American society without access to higher education. There were many iterations of the bill, but all of them would give temporary legal status with a 6-year pathway to permanent legal residency to young undocumented immigrants, if the individuals were brought to the United States at a young age, were attending or attended college or served in the military and passed criminal background checks and reviews. Between both chambers of Congress, different versions of the DREAM Act were re-introduced multiple times over the course of ten years, but despite bipartisan support, it never passed. It has been estimated that about 2 million young people would have been eligible for the DREAM Act.

The California Dream Act Application

If students qualify and have applied for AB540 status, they can fill out the California Dream Act Application, and request for California State Aid (Cal Grants) at http://www.csac.ca.gov Dreamers cannot receive PELL GRANT- This is a federal government grant. Since there has been no legislation passed through Congress regarding undocumented students, there is no federal aid available for these students. Students that receive California State aid from having applied for the Dream Act are also considered DREAMERS.

DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals)

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals- this legislation does not change a student’s ability to attend college or receive aid. This law was passed to give individuals, who arrived to the US as children, a work permit and a social security number (for IRS purposes only, not FAFSA). This will defer their deportation for two years even though they are not legal residents or US citizens. This legislation makes people weary of applying because it has been made clear that it is not a path to Immigration Reform. The DACA application has a high cost ($495) and can be potentially rescinded.

*An undocumented student may be considered any combination of the above terms if not all of them.

AB540

An AB-540 student is a student who has met the requirements below. It allows them to be considered a resident of California for tuition purposes only. A student must be admitted to a post-secondary institution and meet the qualifications before applying to state aid (Cal Grants) through the DREAM Act application. This financial application is specifically for AB-540 students www.ab540.com

Requirements:

  • Must attend at least three years and graduate from a California high school.
  • Students must sign an affidavit stating their California residency.
  • The law requires that all information must be handled in a confidential manner.
  • AB130- As of January 2013 students can apply for and receive private scholarships administered by public colleges and universities.
  • AB131- As of January 2013 students can apply for and receive state financial aid, including Cal Grants and Chafee Foster Youth Grants for use at eligible public and private institutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

I am undocumented, can I still apply to FPU?

Yes, prospective students can apply to FPU regardless of their immigration status. There is no federal or state law that prohibits undocumented students’ admissions to public or private universities in the state of California. All prospective students will be reviewed under the same admissions criteria regardless of status.

Do undocumented students qualify for in-state tuition?

Assembly Bill 540 was signed into law in October 2001 and allows eligible undocumented, legal permanent resident and U.S. citizen students to pay in-state tuition at public colleges and universities.

To qualify, you must meet ALL of the following requirements:

  • Have attended a California high school for 3 or more years
  • Have graduated from a California high school or receive the equivalent, such as a GED; and
  • Submit an affidavit to the California public college or university you are attending or plan to attend. (not required for Fresno Pacific University
Are undocumented students eligible to receive financial aid?

While undocumented students do not qualify for student aid from the federal government, students who live in California and meet the eligibility requirements for a non-resident exemption, as well as students who have a U Visa or TPS status, can use the California Dream Act application (CADAA).

Similarly, students without Social Security Numbers or students who have lost DACA status (or never applied for DACA), may still be eligible. The California Dream Act allows undocumented and nonresident students (U.S. Citizens and eligible non-citizens) who qualify for a non-resident exemption under Assembly Bill 540 (AB 540) to receive certain types of financial aid such as: private scholarships funded through public universities, state-administered financial aid, university grants, community college fee waivers, and Cal Grants. In addition, the California Dream Act, allows eligible students to pay in-state tuition at any public college in California.

How do I apply for financial aid under the California Dream Act?

The CADAA is used by undocumented students who meet the non-resident exemption requirements under AB 540. The application can be found at https://dream.csac.ca.gov. The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) processes the application and any aid received can only be used at eligible California public or private institutions.

Will FPU share my immigration status with the federal government?

University policies regarding disclosure of student records remain the same under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, known as FERPA. We do not release student records without written consent from the student or a lawfully issued subpoena, warrant or judicial order. It remains our policy to require the necessary legal documents before disclosing student records or information derived from student records.

Do I need a social security number to apply for admission and scholarships?

A Social Security Number (SSN) is not required for FPU admission and institutional scholarships eligibility. If you do not have a SSN you may enter zeros (000-00-0000) to continue. Students with a DACA temporary social security number are also highly encouraged to enter zeros in their admission application.

I have a DACA temporary social security number; can I use it to complete the FAFSA?

According to fafsa.gov, if you are neither a U.S. citizen nor an eligible noncitizen, you are not eligible for federal student aid via the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®).

As a DACA student, am I eligible for on-campus jobs and internships?

Yes, if your temporary work permit and social security card are current, they can be used to apply for internships, on-campus, and off-campus employment.