We are excited to continue our technical assistance for CA Catalyst campuses and other higher education institutions during the last semester of our initiative!

This spring, we will be hosting virtual programming to deepen your knowledge and implement promising practices in key areas to build on your efforts to ensure undocumented students thrive on your campus and beyond. You and your campus partners can choose which of the following offerings you’d like to participate in based on your institution’s needs and interests. Our offerings range in outcomes and levels of commitment, so there’s something for everyone!

Offerings with the ✦ symbol are exclusively for Catalyst campus educators and/or students.

AB 540/SB 68

Increasing Access to AB 540/SB 68: Updated In-State Tuition Tool Launch Webinar
DATE: Tuesday, March 15, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. PT
AUDIENCE: Undocumented Student Support Personnel; Counselors; Advisors; Admissions & Outreach Staff; High School Educators; High School, Non-Credit, & College Students

Many students face issues when navigating the requirements for in-state tuition (AB 540/SB 68). Join our webinar to see how our updated In-State Tuition Tool (ISTT) can help ensure that all undocumented students are actually benefitting from this policy. Learn how to use the ISTT and gain strategies to increase awareness for AB 540/SB 68 and the different paths to eligibility!

As a participant, you will:

  1. Get an overview of the updated In-State Tuition Tool (ISTT) including eligibility requirements.
  2. Learn the benefits of in-state tuition through AB 540/SB 68.
  3. Gain strategies on how to increase use of ISTT on your campus or community.

Register Here

AB 540/SB 68 Learning Labs
DATE: Friday, April 8 & Friday, April 15, 10 – 11:30 a.m. PT
AUDIENCE: Admissions & Residency Staff, Undocumented Student Support Personnel, Counselors, High School College Advisors, College Access Staff

Increasing access to in-state tuition at our colleges and universities requires a clear understanding of the eligibility requirements of AB 540/SB 68. But it is essential that we also address the common challenges undocumented and other eligible students face. These learning labs will include an overview of the law, as well as hands-on experience in untangling common challenges and developing an action plan to maximize student enrollment by streamlining the affidavit process.

As a participant, you will:

  1. Gain a clearer understanding of AB 540/SB 68 requirements.
  2. Engage in resolving specific case scenarios.
  3. Be exposed to promising practices from different colleges & universities.
  4. Develop an action plan to use specific resources and strategies to improve the implementation of SB 68 on their campus.

Register Here

**Participants must attend both sessions.**

CA Dream Act

CA Dream Act IG Live
DATE: Tuesday, February 8, 12 – 1 p.m. PT
AUDIENCE: High School & College Students, Undocumented Student Support Personnel, Financial Aid Staff & Liaisons

Tune in live to hear tips and get resources to ensure students are successfully completing the CA Dream Act by the March 2nd priority deadline! Students can get their questions answered and educators can gain strategies on how to increase the number of awards this year!

As a participant, you will:

  1. Receive answers to common questions and specific scenarios.
  2. Learn about resources and tips on how to successfully submit the CA Dream Act application by March 2nd.
  3. Increase the number of your friends and students that submit their CA Dream Act application.

Watch the LIVE Here

CA Dream Act Dance Party & Drop-In Zoom Hours
DATE: Friday, February 25 & Tuesday, March 1. Click here for details.
AUDIENCE: High School & College Students and Counselors, Undocumented Student Support Personnel, Financial Aid Staff & Liaisons

Dance Your Way to the Deadline IG Live: Tuesday, March 1, 5 – 6 p.m. PT

Drop-In Zoom Hours: Friday, February 25, 4 – 5:30 p.m. PT & Tuesday, March 1, 4:30 – 6 p.m. PT

Don’t let last-minute questions or concerns prevent you from submitting your CA Dream Act application before March 2nd! Invite your friends and colleagues to this safe and fun-filled event that will increase your chances of obtaining all of the financial aid for which you’re eligible! On Tuesday, we’ll host a dance party on Instagram and a help session on Zoom to dance our way to the deadline.

As a participant, you will:

  1. Receive answers to common questions and specific scenarios.
  2. Speak with other undocumented individuals who have previously applied for and received financial aid through the CA Dream Act.
  3. Have a safe space to ask questions confidentially.

Catch the IG Dance Party   Sign Up for Friday’s Drop-in Session   Sign Up for Tuesday’s Drop-in Session

CA Dream Act Bootcamp
DATE: Thursday, March 10 & Thursday, March 17, 10 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. PT
AUDIENCE: Financial Aid counselors & Undocumented Student Personnel looking to build better strategies with their financial aid department.

Financial aid counselors play a vital role in the enrollment and retention of undocumented students. Yet many undocumented students still can’t successfully navigate the financial aid maze. Integrating highly effective and concrete steps in the Financial Aid department can make a dramatic difference. Let’s work together to increase award rates for the CA Dream Act and reduce the barriers to paying for college that so many undocumented students face. This training is being held in collaboration with the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC).

As a participant, you will:

  1. Get equipped with specific language and messaging that increases student comfort and participation.
  2. Be exposed to key information and resources to include on departmental websites, student portals, outreach materials and student emails.
  3. Learn to implement departmental practices that can increase award and paid rates for eligible students.

Register Here

**Participants must attend both sessions.**

General Institutional Practices

Tools for UndocuChampions Webinar
AUDIENCE: Undocumented Student Support Personnel; Counselors; Admissions, Financial Aid, & Outreach Staff; Faculty; High School Educators; other campus allies

Learn how to quickly access invaluable resources to make you a stronger UndocuChampion on your campus! Get an overview of our updated Educational Resource Binder and new CA Dream Act Toolkit. Gain strategies on how to activate allies on your campus from a panel of UndocuChampions across California.

As a participant, you will:

  1. Learn how to increase CA Dream Act completion at your campus with the new CA Dream Act Digital Toolkit.
  2. Get an overview of the 2022 Educational Resource Binder to answer questions about in-state tuition, financial aid, student safety, income generation opportunities, and more.
  3. Gain strategies on how to maximize usage of these resources to strengthen allyship at your campus.

Watch the Recording

Catalyst Coffee Talks
DATE: Third Friday of every month, 9:30 – 11 a.m. PT
AUDIENCE: Catalyst Campuses ONLY: Undocumented Student Support Personnel, Departmental Staff & Administrators, based on Topic

Join our monthly virtual gatherings for Catalyst educators to share knowledge and uplift promising practices to support undocumented students in higher education. Gain strategies to address challenges and connect with other campuses to build collective solutions. Topics vary every month.

As a participant, you will:

  1. Be exposed to campus promising practices to address challenges undocumented students face in pursuing and succeeding in higher education.
  2. Become aware of relevant Immigrants Rising and community resources.
  3. Identify next steps and strategies to bring back to your campus.

Email Madeleine at madeleine@immigrantsrising.org for the month’s topic and registration link.

UndocuEducators Group Meetings
DATE: Second Wednesday of every month, 9:30 – 11 a.m. PT
AUDIENCE: Formerly & currently undocumented individuals working in higher education

The UndocuEducators Group is a space for formerly and currently undocumented individuals working in higher education. The group fosters community and provides opportunities for wellness, as well as professional and personal growth. The space aims to be a source of empowerment by and for undocumented professionals.

As a participant, you will:

  1. Build and deepen connections with undocumented educators across CA.
  2. Enhance leadership capacity to build your confidence as young professionals.
  3. Gain skills and knowledge to be stronger change agents in your institutions and community.

Email Madeleine at madeleine@immigrantsrising.org to sign up for next month’s meeting

Legal Services

Increasing the Impact of Legal Services on Your Campus
DATE: Rescheduled to Friday, March 18, 9:30 – 11:00 a.m. PT
AUDIENCE: Catalyst Campuses ONLY: Dream Resource Center, Supervisors of DRC personnel, Legal Services

Gaining an understanding of how different aspects of immigration legal services can increase your campus’ capacity to deepen the impact of support provided to your students. Get an overview of our newest resource developed from the efforts of Catalyst campuses. Participants will also get reacquainted with our Immigration Legal Intake Service (ILIS), and how to take advantage of this free service, especially those who are still developing legal services at their college or university.

As a participant, you will:

  1. Be aware of the key building blocks to help campuses assemble an immigration legal services program to support undocumented students.
  2. Learn or be reminded of the important value of our Immigration Legal Intake Service (ILIS) can provide to your school
  3. Be able to sign up for an ILIS Clinic. Available for all Catalyst campuses, but priority given to Catalyst campuses does not already offer legal services.

Register Here

Immigrant Legal Service Intake (ILIS) Clinics
DATE: March – April (Exact date and time TBD by campus)
AUDIENCE: Catalyst Campuses ONLY. Priority will be given to Catalyst Campuses that do not have legal services/are not legal hubs.

Catalyst campuses will be able to schedule a live Immigration Options 101 virtual presentation for students and parents with Immigrants Rising’s Legal Services Team. During the ILIS clinic, participants will learn about possible immigration remedies and be able to ask questions as they complete their own Immigration Legal Intake Service.

As a participant, you will:

  1. Better understand the process of reviewing their legal options.
  2. Become aware of different remedies for resolving their immigration status.
  3. Be able to complete the free, anonymous, and confidential intake and learn about any possible immigration options available to them.

Sign up for your campus’ ILIS clinic here. If the times listed don’t work for your campus, please email Jesus at jesus@immigrantsrising.org.

Services for Students

We are also providing specific services to students from the Catalyst community. Make sure to click more about them below and promote to connect your students to additional resources to complement the support your campus is providing.