Sara Quezada
Program Participant
"Being part of the Wellness Support Group fueled my inspiration to continue my master’s program so that I can create more opportunities like this for undocumented parents like me."
Relationship: Program Participant
“I realized that I am not alone on this journey. So many other undocumented folks also want to become lawyers.” — Stephanie Medina, Pre-Law Fund Grantee
Get info relevant to undocumented students |
Become part of our growing network |
Be in community while you apply to law school(s) |
Become eligible for the Pre-Law Fund1 |
Immigrants Rising’s Pre-Law Program is for current undergraduate students and those with a bachelor’s degree, who are interested in applying to law school. Whether you’ve just started exploring the possibility of law school or are ready to apply in the upcoming academic year, we’re confident that we’ll have something for you!
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Pre-Law 101 WebinarAre you curious about law school but not yet sure if it’s for you? Attend this webinar to get a glimpse of the law school admissions process and what pursuing a legal career entails—through the lens of an undocumented person! Watch the webinar from Thursday, November 7, 2024. |
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Pre-Law BootcampIf you know you want to pursue a legal career, but are unsure about the steps you need to take and/or when you want to apply to law schools—this program is for you! Our four-day Pre-Law Bootcamp is designed to provide undocumented young people interested in applying to law school with extra support navigating the process and a community of other pre-law students and legal professionals. Learn more. |
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Pre-Law FundPre-Law Bootcamp participants can receive financial support to apply to law schools in the upcoming academic year! Through our Pre-Law Fund, we offer $2,500 grants to low-income immigrants to cover the cost of LSAT preparations and law school applications. Learn more. |
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Pre-Law Program Alumni NetworkBy participating in our Pre-Law Program, you will be part of a growing alumni network of undocumented pre-law students, law school students, and legal professionals! |
[1] Pre-Law Fund is available to only those who have completed the Pre-Law Bootcamp.
Immigrants Rising’s Facilitated Activity Groups offer undocumented young people tangible skills, knowledge, and accountability to pursue personal, educational, and professional goals.
Facilitated Activity Groups provide a space for undocumented high school and college students to explore a topic while building relationships with one another. All activity groups will be guided by a skilled facilitator who is intimately familiar with the undocumented experience.
Activity Groups will meet for 6 consecutive weeks in a virtual setting. Explore the topics we’re offering this year below.
#ICanAffordCollege: Financing a College Education as an Undocumented Student
What will I learn from this activity group?
Everyone deserves an education that is enjoyable, fulfilling, and free from constraints! Unfortunately, undocumented students face additional barriers to pursuing their educational goals and enjoying their educational journeys due to the added stress that comes with limited access to financial and campus resources. This activity group will introduce you to strategies, resources, tips, and key actionable steps you can take to finance your college education and advocate for more and better campus resources. By the end of this activity group, you will implement a plan to increase your funding to help you alleviate some of the financial barriers to pursuing your educational goals.
You will receive a Certificate of Completion after attending at least five sessions.
Who can participate in this activity group?
This activity group is for undocumented high school and college students in the U.S.
When is this activity group offered?
This activity group is offered three times between Fall 2022 and Spring 2023.
- Fall Session: Tuesdays, 4 – 5:15 p.m. PT (starting 10/11/2022, ending 11/15/2022)
- Winter Session: Tuesdays, 4 – 5:15 p.m. PT (starting 1/24/23, ending 2/28/23)
- Spring Session: Tuesdays, 4 – 5:15 p.m. PT (starting 4/18/23, ending 5/23/23)
We are currently not offering new Activity Group sessions.
Berenice Ramirez
Program Participant
"Not only was I happy to receive assistance, but to build solutions and to have community with my cohort is something that I can’t put a price tag on."
Immigrants Rising’s Educational Transitions Coaching provides undocumented students mentorship and guidance to successfully transition to their next stage in life.
Immigrants Rising Coaches are experts in working directly with undocumented students. Our coaches will work with you to achieve the goals that you identify between January and May 2022. Coaches support you through active listening, asking questions, and being fully invested in your success. They provide a safe space for you to envision and plan your next steps. Our coaches are part of a network of other undocumented folks and will be able to connect you to a supportive community as well.
Who is this for?
Educational Transitions Coaching is for students who:
- Attend or are affiliated with one of our Catalyst Fund Campuses
- Are foreign-born
- Do not have permanent residency (green card) or citizenship in the U.S.
- Are available to receive coaching for a span of up to 4 months
What can I expect from coaching?
You will meet with your coach in a 1-1 video zoom call once a week to discuss your situation and empower your actions.
Your coach can support you with:
- Setting academic goals and academic support
- Career/post-graduation income generation
- Guidance on what actions will most impact your goals
- Legal, academic, and mental health resources
- Navigating family dynamics
When does coaching begin?
We are not currently accepting any new coaching participants.
Click here for answers to more Commonly Asked Questions.
Cris Mercado: Becoming An Entrepreneur
Entrepreneur, Program Participant
"Through entrepreneurship, I found that I had more control than I thought."
Nancy
Entrepreneur, Program Participant
"There's a ceiling with DACA. Yes, you can work, but there is a ceiling. And that ceiling I wanted to shatter."
Kai Martin
Entrepreneur, Program Participant
"The drive and the hustle just became natural to me. I was determined never to sit still and never say I couldn't do it, because I know I can always find something to do."
Mayra Pelagio
Program Participant
"Environmental science was the thread that linked my life back in Mexico to my new community in San Jose."
Bo Daraphant
Entrepreneur, Program Participant
"My entrepreneurship was born out of necessity and my passion for art."
Alejandro Flores
Entrepreneur, Program Participant
"We are hustlers by nature because we need to survive."
California state laws and policies protect access to public higher education for students who are undocumented—including students without DACA, TPS, or other forms of temporary status. Whether you are just beginning to explore your options after completing high school or your GED, currently enrolled in a California college or university, or newly seeing higher education as a possibility, our resources are here to support your academic journey.
Understand In-State Tuition/AB 540
Being AB 540-eligible is often the first step in accessing in-state tuition rates, state-based financial aid, and some private scholarships for undocumented students. Learn about what AB 540 is and how you can meet the requirements or take steps to build eligibility if you’re not yet qualified.
Get Financial Aid
Understand the process, timeline, and steps to apply to the CA Dream Act Application (CADAA), the state financial aid application for undocumented students. Financial aid has three general areas available for eligible undocumented students: grants, scholarships, and loans. You don’t have to pay back grants and scholarships, but you do have to pay back loans. Remember, you have the agency to seek support and choose what you accept as part of your school’s financial aid package.
- CA Dream Act Application (CADAA) Map
- Step 1: CA Dream Act Application Checklist
- Step 2: Cal Grant Checklist
- Types of Financial Aid Available for Undocumented Students
Find Additional Support
Get resources to support you in all parts of your educational journey. Access additional materials on CA in-state tuition, financial aid, and campus support. Find opportunities to tend to your mental health, kickstart your entrepreneurship journey, and support your career goals.
- Quick Guide to College Access
- Applying for Scholarships & Fellowships
- List of our resources on Higher Education
- Mental Health Resources
- Making Money Resources
- Career Resources
Find Immigration Legal Help
Learn about your immigration options by connecting with reliable legal support. Get tips and resources to find trustworthy providers across California. Understand the free legal resources available to you if you’re attending a CA Community College (CCC), CA State University (CSU), or University of California (UC) institution.
- Getting Legal Help
- CA Community Colleges’ Find Your Ally: Higher Education Legal Services
- CA State University’s (CSU) Legal Support Services
- University of California’s (UC) Immigrant Legal Services Center
Know Your Rights
Understand your rights, including the policies that protect the information you share on your financial aid application (CADAA). Remember and review your constitutional rights when interacting with immigration agents or local police (on- and off- campus) authorities or participating in protests.
- CA Student Aid Commission (CSAC)’s Protection of Student Information for CADAA Applicants
- Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC)’s Red Cards
- National Immigration Law Center (NILC)’s Know Your Rights: Immigrants’ Participation in Protests
Stay Connected
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If you are an UndocuEducator or an ally, sign up for our UndocuDigest for Higher Education. |
Inspirational Stories
Be Honest When Filling Out the Intake
High School Engagement, Legal Services Team, Program Participant
"I wish someone had told me to fill out the intake out when I was 18. I’m 22 now. If I hadn’t been afraid of telling people about my experiences, if I had been completely honest, I would already have U.S. citizenship now."
A World of Resources
Legal Services Team, Program Participant
"The people working on the Immigrants Rising's Legal Intake Service do a really good job of including information that's relevant to you. It opens you up to a world that you may not have been aware of. And within that world there are links to other resources."
Change Takes Time
Legal Services Team, Program Participant
"Things can change. You may find yourself eligible for something in the future. I was undocumented for almost 28 years. So it's a long process. But in the end, it's a positive process."