Prospective Students Thank you for your interest in UC Berkeley and the University of California system! College applications and attending college can be an intimidating process and you should not have to do it alone. Here at the Undocumented Student Program, our entire team of USP staff and allies are here to ensure undocumented students at UC Berkeley are supported throughout their higher education journey. Considering Cal? Review the application process for undocumented students here and check out these helpful resources. Been accepted? Congratulations! Read a message from USP’s Director and then review our Frequently Asked Questions below. Remember to ask for help from your teachers, counselors and allies! Applying to UC Berkeley When applying to colleges and universities such as UC Berkeley, what do I put down in the social security number box? 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 for financial aid in the UC/CSU system. On my admissions application, what do I put down for country of citizenship? Undocumented students should choose “No Selection”. Am I eligible for a fee waiver on the admissions application? Yes, students are eligible if they meet income criteria. The appropriate office of contact is the Admissions office at that particular school. Should I disclose my status on my Personal Insight Questions (PIQs)? Will this help or hurt me with admissions? 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. Admissions I have been accepted to UC Berkeley. Who can I contact for information as I consider this university? 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. What do I do if I qualify for AB540 and want to be charged in-state tuition? 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. Transitioning to UC Berkeley What are my housing options as a undocumented student? There are numerous options for low-income students such as Berkeley Student Cooperative, which consist 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. Do I qualify for a GBO Fee Waiver? 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. How can I apply for Summer Bridge? Summer Bridge is a program for incoming students, hosted by the Student Learning Center. Please visit the Summer Bridge website for more information. What are some student groups I can join on campus? You may check out UC Berkeley’s list of student groups, clubs, activities, and Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) here. 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! Financial Aid What if my parents do not file taxes because they do not work legally? If you are a dependent student (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. What if my parents live and work in another country? 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 no communication or support from parents. Otherwise, you still have to report what they make in another country and convert it to U.S. dollars. I am filling out the CA Dream Act application for financial aid but my parents do not file taxes, will I still be able to receive state financial aid? 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. Do I have to sign up for Selective Service? 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 here. What will happen if I am a male and do not want to sign up for selective service? 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. My parents live in another country and I live here on my own or with grandparents. Do I still put my parents income on the CA Dream Act? 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 an admitted student and have additional questions, please reach out to us at undocu@berkeley.edu or book an appointment with one of our Academic Counselors.