Financial Aid for somewhat legal immigrant?

<p>I feel really bad for you. I can somewhat understand what you’re going through. One of my friends has lived here for years, and now he has to apply as an international student to a community college because he doesn’t have his green card yet. I hope that whatever happens, you will be able to see the bright side of things. I hope that wherever you are in the future, whatever you’re doing, you’ll be happy with life.
It’s not the end of the world. Sometimes we lose perspective on what’s big and what’s small. College is not the most important thing in the world. You will still have a chance to grow and learn at a community college. You’ll still have an excellent education. I’m sure your hard work in high school will translate to success in college. When things improve in the future, you might be able transfer out to a better college.
Stay positive, and don’t let your situation keep you from being happy. I know that’s easier said than done. :D</p>

<p>Do not underestimate what a lawyer can do for you. You are just getting random info here. You need to get in touch with an advocacy group as suggested above, to get your real options asessed. You should not just guess or pick up and move to CA without real knowledge.</p>

<p>Too bad you mother withheld this important information until the 11th hour. I understand you being angry at the situation she put you in. You are going to have to take care of it yourself it seems, and that means consulting attorneys, not just concluding that they can’t help you without really knowing anything about it. Part of taking care of this is collecting all your family documentation and not relying on your mother withholding info still. You have to impress on her that you need the entire dates/times/places. Where is your father? What country did you come from? That can help sometimes.</p>

<p>Do not count on the very recently signed Dream Act in CA. There are voter petitions to overturn it coming out very soon. It may be abolished before it is even implemented.</p>

<p>Technically, the California DREAM Act (AB130 and AB 131 as they were split into this year; the latter was the most recently signed into law) just grants undocumented students the right to apply for financial aid if they meet certain requirements. AB540 that was passed a decade ago grants the right for non-California residents to possibly receive an exemption from out-of-state fees if they attended a California high school for three or more years and graduated from a California high school.</p>

<p>I mention this because I agree with what many have said: you need more information rather than little anecdotes here and there that you pick up in the news or from others before you make a plan to just pick up and move west. It would be foolish to, as the cliche goes, look before you leap. There’s far more for you to worry about right now than what state has laws that allow non-residents to gain in-state tuition with relative ease.</p>

<p>I wish you luck and like many here, I sympathize with your situation. It is one you should not have been placed in and I hope things work out for you.</p>