Paying for College

Most undocumented students are eligible to pay the in-state tuition cost and receive state and university financial aid by demonstrating time living in California and graduation. Additionally,  On this page you will find information on California policies and resources that help make college affordable to undocumented scholars. Programs like DACA and TPS are NOT a requirement for admissions or financial aid.

2025-2026 CADAA and FAFSA Applications Open December, 1st, 2024.  

Priority Deadline for State Aid: March 3rd, 2025.

• Establishing In-State Tuition

  • Undocumented students who are first-time freshmen, transfer, or graduates, may be eligible to pay in-state tuition. Most undocumented students may qualify for in-state tuition by meeting the requirements for AB 540 (CA Non-Resident Tuition Exemption). By qualifying, students are exempt from paying the out-of-state fees, which can be 3 times higher than that of in-state tuition.

    For Information regarding the CA Non-Resident Tuition Exemption, visit our AB 540 info page.

    Additional Resources

    • AB 540 | Office of the Registrar

    • Cost of SJSU Tuition and Fees 

    • Installment Payment Plan | Bursar's Office

• Financial Aid Options for Undocumented Students

  • • State and University Financial Aid: Undocumented students who qualify for AB 540 may be eligible to receive state and/or university aid by applying to the CA Dream Act Application (CADAA). Undergraduate and graduate students are encouraged to apply every year by the priority deadline. For further information about the CA Dream Act and how to apply, please visit our info page. 

    • Scholarships: For many undocumented students, scholarships can be a key way to cover the cost of college tuition, fees, and other expenses — especially if they do not qualify for state or university aid. Scholarships are funds that do not require payback and that award students based on things such as area of study, class level, grades/GPA, community involvement, county of residence, etc. Many of these scholarships do not require a SSN# or AB 540 eligibility.  We encourage students to seek scholarship opportunities year-round since scholarships have different deadlines and requirements to apply. Check out our scholarship resources  to find scholarship opportunities right for you!

    • Paid Fellowships: Many fellowship and internship opportunities provide a living allowance or scholarship to students that participate, regardless of their immigration status. Generally, fellowships focus on professional development over a short period, and are sponsored by specific organizations. Paid fellowships can also be found throughout institutions of higher education and they are a great path for undocuscholars to gain professional development experience while receiving funding. Visit our Professional Development Resources for Undocumented Students page to explore fellowship and internship programs open to undocumented students, many of which do not require work authorization.

• Apply For Financial Aid

  • Explore our financial aid resource page for undocumented & mixed-status students, where students and families can find information on 1:1 support, webinar presentations, FAQs, and more. We understand the unique challenges immigrant students and their families face, and our curated list of resources aims to provide clear and accessible information to help individuals make informed decisions.