Undocumented Student Support

GWC Dream Success

Your potential has no Limits: Your Education Starts Here, Golden West College!

Tu potencial no tiene fronteras: Logra Tus Sueños Con Nosotros.

Tương lai của bạn không có giới hạn. Cùng chúng tôi biến ước mơ thành hiện thực

We work to the fullest extent of the law to protect all students that share their information through the California Dream Act application

Sandy Gonzalez

Sandy Gonzalez
Dedicated Undocu Scholars Counselor
Bi-Lingual Spanish/English
sgonzalez227@cccd.edu

Jorge Quiroz Moreno

Jorge Quiroz Moreno
Residency Specialist
jquiroz1@cccd.edu

Erica Morales

Erica Morales
Bi-Lingual (Spanish and English)
Financial Aid Specialist
Dreamer Resource Liaison
DreamSuccess@gwc.cccd.edu

Dominique Tran

Dominique Tran
Bi-Lingual (Vietnamese and English)
NonCredit ELL
dtran333@gwc.cccd.edu

Jovani Villalvazo Figueroa

Jovani Villalvazo Figeroa
Bi-Lingual (Spanish and English)
Student Activities Assistant- Undocumented Student Club
jvillalvazofigueroa@cccd.edu

Important Updates and Resources (Updated: April 15, 2025)

New Federal Immigration Registry: As of April 11, 2025, a new federal regulation requires many non-U.S. citizens to register with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) by completing Form G-325R online. For detailed information and to determine if this applies to you, please visit the official USCIS website: https://www.uscis.gov/alienregistration
It is strongly recommended that students seek legal advice from a qualified immigration attorney or legal service provider to understand your obligations https://www.cccco.edu/Students/Support-Services/Special-population/Undocumented-Students/Legal-Services.
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA): Currently, DACA recipients can continue to renew their status and receive benefits, including work permits and protection from deportation. However, the legal status of DACA remains subject to change.
California Dream Act Application (CADAA): The priority deadline for the 2025-2026 CADAA has been extended. The final deadline for California Community College students to apply is September 2, 2025. The original deadline was in March. This extension applies statewide due to delays in the financial aid cycle. Students planning to attend college in the Fall of 2025 are encouraged to apply by this date to be considered for the maximum state financial aid, including Cal Grants.
Changes to the California Dream Act Application (CADAA): The CADAA for the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 cycles includes several changes to streamline the process and align with updates to the FAFSA:
- The CADAA now incorporates the AB 540 affidavit, the nonresident tuition exemption form, within the application itself, simplifying the process for students establishing AB 540 eligibility.
- For the 2025-2026 application, students from mixed-status families (where parents or spouses have different immigration statuses) who have concerns about completing the FAFSA can use the CADAA to apply for state and UC-funded aid.
- Unlike the FAFSA, the CADAA does not require parents or spouses to create a separate login (FSA ID).
- CADAA filers will need to manually input their financial information, as direct data exchange with the IRS is only available for FAFSA

Is my personal information, such as my application for financial aid or in-state tuition, shared with federal immigration authorities?
No, the Coast Community College District safeguards your personal information under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Data regarding California Dream Act applications, or AB 540 in-state tuition eligibility, is confidential and cannot be shared with federal immigration authorities unless ordered by law, such as via a subpoena or court order.
I am an international student. What can immigration enforcement officers want from me?
The requirements for international students are different from those for domestic students. The college must report to federal immigration agencies on the status of international students on F-1, J-1, or M visas through a government database known as SEVIS, part of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). Moreover, the college must retain and, upon the request of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), produce specific information about those students.

FERPA authorizes institutions to report information to the DHS to meet SEVP program requirements. However, this does NOT constitute a blanket waiver of an international student’s FERPA rights; the information that may be disclosed is limited to that which falls into the categories enumerated in DHS regulations. Information about other international students deserves the same FERPA protection that otherwise governs student records.

LEGAL SERVICES & ICE PREPAREDNESS

EXTERNAL RESOURCES

EVENTS AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS

Future: Testimonials and Success Stories

Inspiring narratives

Profiles of successful undocumented students who have overcome challenges.

Inspiring narratives that highlight resilience and achievements.