Frequently Asked Questions

These forms do not apply to AB540 students. They only apply to students who do not qualify for AB540. You can email undocu@berkeley.edu to have the Glacier requirement removed.

You can find these forms on the Berkeley Financial Aid Forms Portal. It is important that you complete these forms as soon as possible. If you need further assistance, you may schedule an appointment with a USP Counselor or contact us at undocu@berkeley.edu or 510-642-7224.

• American Bar Association: Know Your Rights (Immigration Detention)
• ACLU: Know Your Rights (English, Spanish)
• AILA: Know Your Rights (English, Spanish, Chinese, Portuguese, Haitian, Arabic, Punjabi) 
• CLINIC: Know Your Rights
• Immigrant Defense Project: Know Your Rights
• ILRC: Know Your Rgihts Toolkit (English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Arabic, Russian, Tagalog, Vietnamese)
• Legal Aid at Work: Know Your Rights (workplace raids) (English, Spanish, Chinese)
• National Immigrant Justice Center: Know Your Rights
• National Immigration Law Center: Know Your Rights
• United We Dream: Know Your Rights

• If you are a current student at UC Berkeley, please review our eligibility criteria and, if you are eligible, sign up for a consultation with East Bay Community Law Center here. 
• The East Bay Community Law Center maintains a list of trusted Bay Area Immigration Referrals here. 
• Non-profit organizations that provide low-cost help nationwide can be found here and here.
• The immigration courts have a list of lawyers and organizations that provide free legal services.
• You can search for an immigration lawyer using the American Immigration Lawyers Association’s online directory here.
• The National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild also has an online find-a-lawyer tool here.

You have the right to remain silent. You may refuse to speak to immigration officers.

• Don’t answer any questions. You may also say that you want to remain silent.
• Don’t say anything about where you were born or how you entered the U.S.

Carry a know-your-rights card (“red card”) and show it if an immigration officer stops you.

• The card explains that you will remain silent and that you wish to speak with an attorney. 
• Red cards are available at the USP Resource Center, the East Bay Community Law Center office, and printable versions are available online here. 

Do not open your door.

• To be allowed to enter your home, ICE must have a warrant signed by a judge. A warrant that is signed by ICE but not by a judge does not grant an ICE officer authority to enter your home without your consent. To be valid, the warrant must have your correct name and address on it. 
• Do not open your door unless an ICE agent shows you a warrant as described above. (They almost never have one). If an ICE agent wants to show you a warrant, they can hold it against a window or slide it under the door. 
• You do not need to open the door to talk with an ICE agent. Once you open the door, it is much harder to refuse to answer questions.

You have the right to speak to a lawyer.

• You can simply say, “I need to speak to my attorney.”
• You may have your lawyer with you if ICE or other law enforcement questions you.
• You have the right to refuse to show any documents before speaking with a lawyer.

Before you sign anything, talk to a lawyer.

• ICE may try to get you to sign away your right to see a lawyer or a judge. That could eliminate your right to speak with a lawyer or have a hearing  in front of an immigration judge. This may result in you being deported immediately without a hearing.
• Be sure you understand what a document actually says before signing it. Do not rely on ICE’s explanation of what the document says.

If you are worried ICE will arrest you, let the officer know if you have U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident children.

• If you are the parent or primary caregiver of a U.S. citizen or permanent resident who is under age 18, ICE may “exercise discretion” and let you go.

ICE and other law enforcement officers may think they can get away with violating your rights.

• Sometimes ICE officers lie to people to get them to open their doors or sign away their rights. If ICE detains you or you are concerned that they will conduct raids in your area, initiate your safety plan.

Report and document raids and arrests.

• If it is possible and safe for you to do so, take photos and videos of the raid or arrest. Also take notes on what happened.
• Call United We Dream’s hotline to report a raid: 1-844-363-1423.
• Send text messages to 877877.
• In Alameda County, if you see ICE in action, suspect ICE activity in progress, or if you are detained or someone you know is detained by ICE, call ACILEP for rapid response and immigration legal services (510) 241-4011.

• Always carry any valid immigration document you have with you.
  • For example, if you have a valid work permit or green card, be sure to have it with you in case you need to show it for identification purposes.
• Carry a know-your-rights card (and show it if an immigration officer stops you – see below for more information on what to do if you encounter an ICE officer)

• Do not carry papers from another country with you, such as a foreign passport. Such papers could be used against you in the deportation process.

• Safety Planning: While it can be stressful to think about a worst case scenario, you don’t want to find yourself in a situation or encounter that you are not prepared for. The best thing you can do for yourself and your family is to be prepared with a safety plan for what to do if you or a loved one is detained by immigration officials.
  • Memorize the phone number of a friend, family member, or attorney that you can call if you are arrested.
  • If you take care of children or other people, make a plan to have them taken care of if you are detained. Speak with an attorney to discuss whether it is appropriate to prepare a “power of attorney” document.
  • Keep important documents such as birth certificates and immigration documents in a safe place where a friend or family member can access them if necessary. 
  • If you have an immigration attorney, make sure your loved ones have the attorney’s contact information and a plan to contact them if you are detained.
  • Make sure your loved ones know how to find you if you are detained by ICE. They can use ICE’s online detainee locator to find an adult who is in immigration custody. Or they can call the local ICE office. Make sure they have your alien registration number (or “A” number) written down, if you have one.
  • If you have a case in Immigration Court, you can go online or call the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) hotline number at 1-800-898-7180 (toll-free) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to get information on your case’s status.

If you are dependent on your parents and want to receive state Financial Aid, your parents must do taxes and can use a Federal ITIN number instead of a Social Security Number on their tax forms.

If your parents do not live in the U.S., they must still report their income if you are considered a dependent student.

The only exceptions are: If you are independent, have a legal guardian, or if you have never had communication or support from parents. Otherwise, you still have to report what your parents make in another country. You will need to convert this amount to U.S. dollars on your application.

If you are a male, 18 years of age or older, and applying for the California Dream Act, you must register for Selective Service by visiting your local Post Office and filling out a paper application. Once you send this in, this process takes 4-6 weeks to approve. You will then receive a confirmation card. You should provide a copy of this card with Financial Aid along with a Selective Service Verification form. You will not receive Financial Aid until this is done.

Beginning in Fall 2014, UC Berkeley Dream Aid recipient students will be offered institutional loans as part of their Financial Aid package. Students can also take out a short-term emergency loan through the Financial Aid & Scholarships Office, but please note: These loans must be paid back within 60 days.

Students can also apply for the Emergency Grants program, which does not have to be paid back. For further questions, contact uspgrants@berkeley.edu.

If you are unable to work, scholarships may help. Unlike loans, scholarships do not have to be paid back. You can start your scholarship search here and here. Students are also advised to work (if possible) during summer and winter breaks.

If you are not meeting SAP requirements and want to explain your circumstances, you may submit an appeal. The forms can be found on the Berkeley Financial Aid Forms Portal.

A USP counselor can help you complete the Academic Plan needed for the SAP appeal. This is a contract that you make with Financial Aid. You can call 510-642-7224 to make an appointment. It is important that you complete this before the posted deadline.

In order to receive state financial aid, if you are dependent on your parents, you must provide IRS tax forms and your parents that work must file taxes.

Unless your grandparent is your legal guardian or you are legally "independent," you must report your parents' income even if they do not live here. Note: If you are 24 years of age or if you are a parent to a child of your own, you are considered independent.

If you are a male, and one month away from turning 18, or already 18, you must register for Selected Service in person at your local Post Office if you want to receive state Financial Aid. Otherwise, you will not receive aid.

The California Department of Justice provides an automated service for criminal history background checks. This background check is not required to submit a DACA application, but may be important to determine your eligibility if you have a criminal record. This background check is recommended if you’ve had any contact with law enforcement in the state of California.

Steps for DACA Applicants

• Review relevant information at the California Department of Justice website.

• Fill out "Request for Live Scan," also called form BCIA 8016. Remember to fill out your name and personal information but not agency information. You want the results to come to you or your attorney, so be sure to include those addresses.

• Get Your Fingerprints: Take the form and a form of photo I.D. to a LiveScan location for fingerprinting. You will have to pay a fee of $32.

  • Cal Live Scan: 2855 Telegraph #303, info@CalLiveScan.com

  • RedTomatoes P3Digitix Live Scan Fingerprinting: 2107 Dwight Way #107, p3dlivescan@redtomatoes.org

  • Vick Copy, North Gate, 1879 Euclid Avenue, euclid@vickcopy.com

  • Find additional locations in Alameda County

• Wait for Your Results: CA DOJ will respond either electronically or via U.S. mail.

Additional Information

• Do I need this status check if I was not convicted or if the incident happened when I was a juvenile?

  • It is important to be clear about what your record contains.

• What if I submitted prints and have not heard back?

  • The process can be delayed if your fingerprints are of poor quality, you have a criminal history, or you submitted erroneous information. In general, however, you should have a status update within days.

Information provided by the UC Berkeley School of Law, International Human Rights Law Clinic.

Who should get their FBI records?

It is important to obtain your FBI records if you have had any prior contact with law enforcement or immigration authorities. Visit the FBI website for further instructions.

How do I get my FBI records?

To obtain your records, you will have to send your fingerprints, an application, and a small fee to the FBI records request office.

Completing the FBI Record Application Form

• Be sure to include the address where you want your records sent.
• Click here to find the application form and additional information.

Getting your Fingerprints Taken and Filling out the Standard Fingerprint Form

• Take the standard fingerprint form FD-258 to an approved location for your fingerprints to be physically taken. See list below. The stores charge about $35.00-$45.00.

• You can find the Standard Fingerprint form here. Remember: Fill out the fingerprint card, in black ink, with your name, date of birth, mailing address, place of birth, citizenship, and physical characteristics.

• Approved locations for fingerprinting:

  • Oakland Livescan, (510) 836-6011 ext. 2, 1814 Franklin Street, Suite 903, Oakland, CA

  • Cal Live Scan, (510) 316-7828, 2855 Telegraph Avenue, Suite 303, Berkeley, CA

  • The UPS Store, (510) 547-9877, 2340 Powell Street, Emeryville, CA

  • The UPS Store, (510) 528-9444, 3060 El Cerrito Plaza, El Cerrito, CA.

  • They will give you the completed fingerprint card for submission.

Fees

• Prepare an $18.00 money order payable to: Treasury of the United States.

• Remember: CASH OR CHECKS NOT ACCEPTED.

Put your items together and make sure you’ve signed everything: The Fingerprint Card, FBI Record Application form, and the $18.00 money order.

Mail the above items to: FBI CJIS Division – Record Request, 1000 Custer Hollow Road, Clarksburg, WV 26306.

You will receive your records by mail in 5-6 weeks, depending on the volume of requests.

If you have decided to travel and received advance parole from USCIS, below are several tips that will help prepare you for the process of going abroad. If you initially entered the United States without authorization and you are not grandfathered under 245-i, traveling on advance parole can help you fix your immigration status through an immediate relative (U.S. citizen parent, spouse, or child) more easily in the future.

Applying for Advance Parole

• If this is with regards to emergency travel in the next couple months or you have a sick relative abroad that you need to visit for humanitarian reasons, you can apply for advance parole at the local USCIS field office in San Francisco in person. Many Berkeley students have done so successfully in the past by taking their complete, prepared advance parole application and filing fee to the local USCIS office at 444 Washington Street for same-day approval. Infopass appointments are encouraged, and should be made early, in advance of when you plan to go to the local office.

  • For humanitarian travel abroad, a doctor’s note outlining the relative’s health, and proof of relationship to sick relative (birth certificates), or a death certificate if the family member has passed away, is usually required evidence for approval of advance parole. All documents that are not in English need to be translated, and our legal team has the expertise to do this in-house.

  • The local USCIS office has also approved advance parole, in limited cases, for emergency employment-based travel abroad such as work-related conferences. This would require a letter from an employer.

  • The local USCIS office is not approving advance parole for educational reasons at this time due to a national directive. However, if you have already applied for advance parole with USCIS for a study abroad program and have been approved, please contact your attorney with regards to using the approval to travel abroad.

Things to take to a USP Attorney and to the local field office:

• Prepared I-131 advance parole application with two passport photos,

• Filing fee of $575 (check or money order made out to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security),

• Evidence of need to travel abroad, such as doctor's letter with translations

• DACA work permit and approval notice,

• Your current passport, and California ID/driver’s license

General Tips for Advance Parole:

• Be sure to stay within the dates of approved travel on your advance parole document.

• When applying for advance parole, we suggest that you give yourself a few extra days on either end of your trip to allow for contingencies.

  • Example: If my conference or program goes from December 15, 2016 to January 10, 2017, I may want to apply for advance parole from December 10, 2017 to January 15, 2017.

• One application for multiple trips. If you have multiple trips planned, you can apply for advance parole for these trips in one application. Example: I have been approved for a research project that involves several trips to one country or visiting multiple countries. I can list all of these country visits in ONE Form I-131 with an explanation for the multiple trips.

Leaving the U.S. & Traveling to Your Destination

• For your travel to country of origin.

  • If you plan to travel to your country of origin, the only document you need for entry is a passport from that country that is valid for six months after the date of travel.

• For travel to a third country.

  • If you are traveling to a place that is NOT your country of origin, you will need to comply with any visa requirements of that country as they pertain to someone with your nationality and country of citizenship.

• If you have any questions about the visa requirements, please talk with your attorney:

  • Example: I am a Salvadoran national with DACA traveling to Mexico. I will need a visitor visa required for a Salvadoran to enter Mexico. The best place to look for this information is the consulate website for the destination country, in this case, Mexico.

• Prepare your re-entry documents. In order to be fully prepared for any questions you may receive from Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), we suggest that you carry with you the following original documents:

  • A passport from your country of origin that is valid for at least six months after the date of travel;

  • Advance parole document;

  • Evidence of reason for trip abroad;

  • Employment authorization card;

  • A copy of your DACA approval notice;

  • State I.D. or driver’s license; and

  • Your attorney’s business card with contact information.

• Make copies of the documents above, keep a set with you, and leave one with someone you trust in the United States in case you lose the originals.

• Prepare for re-entry questioning. A CBP officer will likely place you in 'secondary inspection' and ask questions about your trip abroad and about your residence in the United States when you are re-entering the U.S., such as:

  • What was the reason for your trip abroad?

  • For how long were you gone?

  • What countries did you visit and where did you stay?

  • Where do you reside in the U.S.?

  • What do you do in the United States?

• You should remain calm, and be prepared to answer these questions and show documents that provide evidentiary support.

• Be sure to get proof of re-entry.

  • If you are returning to the United States over a land border, be sure that an immigration officer at the port of entry inspects and stamps your passport.

  • This proof of re-entry is evidence that you complied with the terms of your Advance Parole and may also be useful to you in the future if you ever apply for permanent residency through a family member such as a U.S. citizen spouse, parent or child.

  • You can also obtain your proof of lawful entry online.

Information provided by Prerna Lal, former Undocumented Student Program Attorney at UC Berkeley.

Once your DACA application has been approved and you receive your Social Security Number (SSN), the DMV may issue you an Identification Card (I.D.). NOTE: You must obtain an SSN before applying for an I.D.

How do I start the process?

• You can start your application once you have your work permit and Social Security number.
  • Apply for your ID Card right after receiving your work permit and SSN. Your work permit must be valid for 60 days or more from the day you apply for your ID Card.
• Apply for your ID Card in-person at your local DMV office. To find your local DMV Office and for faster service, make an appointment online at dmv.ca.gov or call (800) 777-0133.

What do I bring to my DMV appointment?

• Your Social Security Number. (You do not need to bring your Social Security card).
• An original, paper document verifying your name and birth date, and proving your legal presence in the United States. DMV calls this document your "birth date/legal presence document."
  • DMV will accept any document showing approval of your DACA Case. Acceptable documents include:
    • Employment Authorization Card (work permit issued by USCIS); or
    • Notice of Action (I-797 Approved Petition) indicating approval of your DACA Application.
  • A full list of accepted documents and current information is available on the DMV website.
• The application fee is $27 for a new ID card. DMV accepts cash, checks, money orders, and debit cards.

What happens during my DMV appointment?

• You will submit your application and your work permit or DACA approval notice, pay your application fee, have your photo taken, and give a thumbprint. DMV will verify your SSN during your appointment.

When will my ID expire?

• Your ID card will be considered a “limited term” and will expire on the expiration date of your birth date/legal presence document.

  • For example, if your work permit expires 1 year from the day you apply for your ID card, your ID card will also expire in 1 year.

  • If your limited-term ID card expires and you need an extension, you must provide a birth date/legal presence document that expires 60 or more days from the day you apply.

Where are the nearest DMV Field Offices?

• El Cerrito: 6400 Manila Avenue, El Cerrito 94530

• Hayward: 150 Jackson Street, Hayward 94544

• Oakland: 5300 Claremont Avenue, Oakland 94618

• Coliseum: 501 85th Avenue, Oakland 94621

• Redwood City: 300 Brewster Ave., Redwood City 94063

• San Francisco: 1377 Fell Street, San Francisco 94117

• San Jose: 111 W. Alma Avenue, San Jose 95110

• San Mateo: 425 N. Amphlett Blvd., San Mateo 94401

For more information, visit dmv.ca.gov or call (800) 777-0133.

Information provided by the UC Berkeley School of Law, International Human Rights Clinic.

Once your DACA application has been granted and you have received your Employment Authorization Card (I-766), you’re ready to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN). NOTE: You need to obtain an SSN before you can apply for a State ID Card or a Driver's License. The Social Security Administration has published a helpful brochure for DACA recipients, which you can download.

What's the process?

• Determine whether you are eligible for an SSN.

  • Has USCIS granted your DACA application?

  • Have you received an Employment Authorization Card (I-766) from USCIS?

  • If you meet both of the criteria above, you are eligible to apply.

• Gather the necessary documents to bring to the Social Security Office. This includes:
• Your USCIS-issued Employment Authorization Card (I-766); and
• At least one of the following documents proving your age and identity:
  • Birth Certificate;
  • Passport;
  • U.S. military record;
  • Religious record showing age or date of birth;
  • School record showing age or date of birth;
  • School identification card; or
  • Copy of a medical record
• You must bring an original or a certified copy of these documents. The Social Security Office will not accept a photocopy, even if it is notarized.
• NOTE: Bring an original birth certificate or passport if at all possible, and bring any additional documents from the above list if you have them.
• Print out and complete an application for a Social Security Card (Form SS-5).
• Take the application and the required documents to a Social Security Office where you will sign the application. You can find your local office at socialsecurity.gov/locator or by checking the list below.

What happens after I apply?

• You should receive a Social Security Card in the mail within 1-4 weeks.

Where are the nearest Social Security Offices?

• Berkeley: 2045 Allston Way, Berkeley 94704

• San Francisco: 1098 Valencia St, San Francisco 94110

• San Francisco: 560 Kearny St., San Francisco 94108

• Fremont: 3100 Mowry Ave., Ste. 100, Fremont 94538

• Hayward: 24301 Southland Dr., Suite 500, Hayward 94545

• San Jose: 2500 Fontaine Rd., San Jose 95121

• Oakland: 238 11th St., Oakland 94607

• San Mateo: 800 S. Claremont St., San Mateo 94402

• Richmond: 3164 Garrity Way, Richmond 94806

For more information, visit socialsecurity.gov or call (800) 772-1213.

Information provided by the UC Berkeley School of Law, International Human Rights Clinic.

If you are over 18 years old, you may apply for a California Driver's License once your DACA application has been granted and you receive your Social Security Number (SSN). If you are under 18, you may apply for a provisional permit. NOTE: You must obtain an SSN before applying for a Driver's License.

How do I start the process?

• You can start your application as soon as you have your work permit and your Social Security number.

• Your work permit must be valid for 60 days or more from the day you apply.

• Apply for your Driver's License in person at your local DMV office (see list below). Or, to find your local DMV office and for faster service, make an appointment online at dmv.ca.gov or call (800) 777-0133.

What must I bring to my DMV appointment?

• Your Social Security Number. (NOTE: You do not need to bring your Social Security card).

• An original, paper document verifying your name and birth date and proving your legal presence in the United States. DMV calls this document your “birth date/legal presence document.”

  • DMV will accept any document showing approval of your DACA case. Acceptable documents include: Employment Authorization Card (work permit issued by USCIS); or Notice of Action (I-797 Approved Petition) indicating approval of your DACA application.

  • A full list of accepted documents is available on the DMV website.
• The application fee is $32 for a new Driver's License. DMV accepts cash, checks, money orders, and debit cards.

What happens during my DMV appointment?

• You will submit your application and your work permit or DACA approval notice, pay your application fee, have your photo taken, and give a thumbprint.

• DMV will verify your SSN during your appointment. During your first appointment, you will also be given a vision exam and traffic law test.

• Once you pass your traffic law test, you will be given a provisional permit and you may schedule another appointment to take your driving test. For information on what to bring to your driving test, visit: dmv.ca.gov/dl/dl_info.htm

What happens after I pass my driving test?

• After you pass the required tests, DMV may issue you a temporary license valid for 60 days.

• DMV will mail your Driver's License after verification of your legal presence, which can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months.

• If your temporary license is expiring and you have not received your Driver's License, you may contact the DMV Issuance Department at (916) 657-7790 to inquire about the status of your application.

When will my ID expire?

• Your Driver's License will be considered a “limited term” and will expire on the expiration date of your birth date/legal presence document.

• For example, if your work permit expires 1 year from the day you apply for your Driver's License, your Driver's License will also expire in 1 year.

• If your limited term Driver's License expires and you need an extension, you must provide a birth date/legal presence document that expires 60 or more days from the day you apply.

For more information visit: dmv.ca.gov or call (800) 777-0133.

Information Provided by the International Human Rights Law Clinic, UC Berkeley School of Law.

Unless your grandparents or guardian is your legal guardian, you must report your parents income even if they do not live in the US.

Note: If you are 24 years of age, an emancipated minor, or a student parent, you are considered independent.

If you are a male, and one month away from turning 18, or already 18, you must register if you want to receive state financial aid. Otherwise, you will not receive aid.

If you are a male, 18 years of age or older, and filling out the CA Dream Act, you must register for Selective Service by visiting your local Post Office and filling out a paper application. This process takes 4-6 weeks to approve. You will then receive a confirmation card that you will provide a copy to Financial Aid along with a Selective Service Verification form. You will not receive financial aid until this is done.

Read more about Selective Service and the CA Dream Act.

In order to receive state financial aid, if you are dependent on your parents, you must provide IRS tax forms and your parents that work must file taxes.

If your parents do not live in the U.S., they must still report their income UNLESS you are independent, have a legal guardian, OR you have never had any communication or support from your parents. Otherwise, you still have to report what they make in another country and convert it to U.S. dollars.

If you are a dependent student (i.e., you depend on your parents income on the CA Dream Act application), and want to receive state financial aid, your parents must file for taxes and can use a Federal ITIN number to do taxes instead of a social security number.

Check out UC Berkeley’s list of student groups, clubs, activities, and Registered Student Organizations (RSOs). Social media is also a great resource to learn more about different organizations!

During the first few weeks of every semester, student organizations set up tables around campus, especially on Sproul Plaza, so check them out in person!

Summer Bridge is a program for incoming students, hosted by the Student Learning Center. Please visit the Summer Bridge website for more information.

As long as a student is AB540, students can contact our program at undocu@berkeley.edu to see if they qualify for a GBO Fee Waiver. You may also check if your Financial Aid package includes a New Student Grant, as this grant covers the GBO fee.

There are numerous options for low-income students such as the Berkeley Student Cooperative, which consists of student-run apartments and houses, in which students collaborate together to create a successful and affordable living environment.

In addition, the Basic Needs Center has a housing search guide if off-campus housing is something you are interested in. Facebook groups on off-campus housing around Berkeley and the Bay Area are also a wonderful resource (beware of scammers!).

UC Berkeley Residence Halls are also an option, but they tend to be more expensive than off-campus housing. The residence halls are a great option for first-year freshman and transfer students, especially if they are not from the Bay Area. If you are a financial aid recipient, please note that financial aid packages are adjusted based on your housing option.

Casa Joaquin is an off-campus, multiethnic leadership academy housing unit available for low income students.

AB540, expanded by SB77 and SB1141, allows students to qualify for in-state tuition if they graduated at a California high school, completed their GED, attended a California community college, or a combination of three. Students can check their eligibility in this guide created by Immigrants Rising. Students who might qualify for AB540 will be assigned a task on their CalCentral to fill out the AB540 Affidavit Form, to be sent to the Office of the Registrar.

Students can begin by visiting our website, undocu.berkeley.edu and e-mailing us at undocu@berkeley.edu to get connected with USP and our Academic Counselors.

Students should or should not disclose based on comfort level. Admissions readers weigh the personal statement heavily. Students can disclose and talk about their status and how they have overcome the obstacle. Students can discuss the pros and cons of disclosing with a trusted ally

Yes, students are eligible if they meet income criteria. The appropriate office of contact is the admissions office at that particular school.

• Undocumented students should choose “No Selection.”

Undocumented students can leave this box blank for CSU’s and UC’s. If students have DACA and a social security number for work authorization, they can choose to use this number or leave it blank. DACA is not required for admissions and is not related to financial aid in the UC/CSU system.

For additional questions, consultations, or scheduling appointments, you may contact our USP Psychologists’ confidential numbers and leave a voicemail with your name and Student ID (SID) Number:

• Bianca Barrios-Montoya, PhD – (510) 664-5342

• Diana Peña, PhD – (510) 664-7483

All sessions are confidential and your legal status will never be included in your records. University staff, faculty, law enforcement officials, parents, potential employers, and others have no access to any of your records without your written permission.

Please note, your counselor is a mandatory reporter and may have an ethical and legal obligation to break confidentiality if you are a threat to harm yourself or others, or if current abuse of a child or elder is suspected. Feel free to ask if you have questions or concerns about confidentiality

People often wonder if their concerns are “big enough” to warrant counseling. The truth is, people talk about many different types of things. See below for some common ones, and if you’re still not sure, come ask!

• career concerns
• depression
• anxiety (worrying, panic attacks, social, phobias, test anxiety)
• academic stress
• stress associated with deportation/family legal status
• coming out as “undocumented” or “AB-540”
• migration trauma
• procrastination/decreased motivation
• questioning or exploring sexual orientation or gender
• procrastination/decreased motivation
• questioning or exploring sexual orientation or gender
• adjusting to college/homesickness
• concerns about family or community
• burnout from political/social action
• relationship conflicts
• food or body image concerns
• discrimination
• anger management
• coping with physical illness or being differently abled
• and many others

All mental health counseling at UC Berkeley is free of cost, including services for undocumented students.

In addition, psychiatry evaluations, follow-ups, labs, and medication at UHS are free.

Please reach out to USP Mental Health Coordinator, Diana Peña, for more info or charges to your CalCentral account.