SB 1141 Fact Sheet

Themes/Topics: Higher Education

Geography: California

Audience: Educator, Undocumented Youth

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In-State Tuition (AB 540) Expands for California Community College Students!

SB 1141 expands AB 540, allowing more community college students to pay in-state tuition at California public colleges and universities (CCCs, CSUs, and UCs) and apply for state-based financial aid. For more information, check out our AB 540 Quick Guide.

  • SB 1141 benefits students who began their studies at a California Community College.

    SB 1141 removed the two-year cap for credits at a California Community College. Students will be able to use three years of full-time credits (or the part-time equivalent) from a CCC to meet the attendance requirements for AB 540 starting January 1, 2023.

  • SB 1141 benefits students with three or more years of attendance at a California Community College.

    Prior to SB 1141, students could only count two years of attendance from a CCC and were required to obtain one year from a high school, dual school, or noncredit program. Now students will be able to use 72 semester units or 108 quarter units towards the attendance requirements for AB 540.

Eligibility Criteria:

Undocumented individuals, T and U visa holders, U.S. citizens, and lawfully present immigrants who meet the eligibility criteria above can apply if their classes were taken in 2001 or after. Individuals with international student visas, visitor visas, or other “non-immigrant” statuses are not eligible to apply.

What’s Next?

Students are now able to use these expanded in-state tuition eligibility requirements to get in-state tuition and apply for state-based financial aid through the California Dream Act at California Community Colleges, CSUs, and UCs!

Check Your Eligibility:

Immigrants Rising’s CA In-State Tuition Tool helps you determine if you meet the attendance and degree requirements for in-state tuition. Even if you do not yet qualify, this tool can help you determine what steps you need to take to meet eligibility requirements in the future. Go to immigrantsrising.org/istt.

Immigrants Rising helps you make decisions based on your potential, not your perceived limits. Visit our website so you can see what’s possible: immigrantsrising.org. For inquiries regarding this resource, please contact Nancy Jodaitis, Director of Higher Education, at nancy@immigrantsrising.org.

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