Wherever you were born and regardless of the paperwork, you belong at CCC. The only questions we ask are the ones that help us serve you better.
Contra Costa College welcomes and provides a safe place for all community members and together we help provide undocumented students with resources and answer your questions so you can succeed at CCC.
If you are an undocumented student unsure where to start, please email our Undocumented Student Program Coordinator at cccundoc@email.4cd.edu.
You can also make with one of our staff members. They will connect you with our college’s Dreamers Alliance – a network of staff, faculty, and managers committed to working with undocumented students.
Connect with Us
Most students qualify for free tuition and over 99% graduate without ever taking out a student loan.
Frequently Asked Questions
The term “DREAMer” describes young undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as children. These young adults have lived and gone to school here and, in many cases, identify as American and consider the United States their home.
If you would like guidance and assistance on how to use our campus resources, please make an appointment with our Undocumented Dreamers Program.
The term “DREAMer” originated from The Federal Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act. The Federal Dream Act aims to create a pathway to citizenship for undocumented youth who grew up in the United States.
First introduced to Congress in 2001, the Federal Dream Act has not yet passed into law. Young undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as children do not have pathways to citizenship. Although pathways to citizenship are not available for undocumented youth, some states (like California) passed their versions of the DREAM Act.
The California Dream Act was passed in 2011. It enabled eligible undocumented students to receive state-funded financial aid and privately funded scholarships. The California Dream Act does not deal with immigration or pathways to citizenship. It is only to receive state financial aid.
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) grants eligible undocumented youth a 2-year renewable temporary relief from deportation and a social security number for work authorization. DACA does not currently provide a long-term pathway to citizenship and is unrelated to the California Dream Act. Students do not have to be DACA eligible to apply for the California Dream Act and vice versa— each program has its unique eligibility criteria.
Undocumented students are not eligible to apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or receive any federally funded student financial aid, including Pell Grant, SEOG Grant, work-study, and student loans. Students who receive a social security number from Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) are not eligible to apply for FAFSA.
Fact Sheets: (Links to guides in other languages available here)
Legal Services
California Community College Students have access to free immigration legal services. If you need to schedule an appointment for free legal services, don’t hesitate to contact one of the following advocate groups.
Legal Assistance Resources are available in Student Life in front of Basic Needs office 112 and Basic Needs Coordinator can help connect to community resources as needed
California Community College Students have access to free immigration legal services. If you need to schedule an appointment for free legal services, don’t hesitate to contact one of the following advocate groups.
For more information, visit: Immigration Institute of the Bay Area (IIBA)
- Schedule an appointment for a free, confidential immigration consultation.
Available via telephone or Zoom every Monday and Tuesday from 10 am to 3 pm - Funding to cover DACA renewal and initial application fees, upon funding availability
- Legal assistance for naturalization, DACA initial and renewal applications, family-based petitions, U visas, and others
- Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and green card (permanent resident) renewal or replacements
- Remote citizenship classes
- For more information, please get in touch with Veronica Guinto
at vguinto@iibayarea.org or Phone: (925) 237-8581 ext. 26
Higher Education Legal Services
http://findyourally.comFree immigration legal services and case support for students, staff, and faculty on California community college campuses statewide or virtually
For more information, visit: www.findyourally.com
- Immigration Law Help — helps low-income immigrants find legal help and non-profits through an easy-to-use searchable map by zip code.
- Department of Social Services — a list of legal help providers by county.
- Stand Together Contra Costa — provides legal services, community workshops, legal clinics, and training.
- MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) — is a Latinx legal civil rights organization headquartered in Los Angeles, CA.
- Centro Legal De La Raza — specializes in immigration, eviction, and employee rights in Alameda County.
- Immigrant Legal Resource Center — supports legal assistance, policy, and advocacy. Issues and areas of expertise include Asylum, Civic Participation, Citizenship and Naturalization, DACA, LGBT, and more.
- East Bay Community Law Center (EBCLC)— free, confidential immigration legal consultation, DACA renewal applications, Humanitarian and family-based immigration relief.
- Bay Area Legal Aid — provides support from immigration assistance, child support, divorce, restraining orders, child custody, and other services.
Community Resources
- Immigrants Rising — empower undocumented young people to achieve educational and career goals through personal, institutional, and policy transformation. Support with scholarships, legal help & mental health wellness for undocumented students.
- The Center for Cultural Power — a Woman of Color artist-led organization supporting and inspiring artists and culture makers through art, creativity, bio-cultural diversity, truth-telling, regenerative relationships, transformation, and Joy.
- Korean Community Center of the East Bay — empowers immigrants in the Bay Area through access to education, services, resources, and advocacy.
- United We Dream — an immigrant youth-led community supporting, engaging, and empowering to make voices heard.
- UndocuBlack Network — a multigenerational network fostering community and access to resources.
- Richmond Community Foundation Connects (RCF Connects) — a leading motivator in Contra Costa County in philanthropy and community change to build healthy, thriving communities.
- Catholic Charities of the East Bay — a family support services, housing services, mental health, and immigration legal services in East Bay.
- International Rescue Committee — helps people affected by humanitarian crises—including the climate crisis—survive, recover and rebuild their lives. Support with citizenship questions and applications.
- The Unity Council — a Non-profit-Social Equity Development Corporation in Fruitvale, Oakland, empowers families and communities by providing tools, knowledge, and resources.
- Monument Impact — assists immigrants, refugees, and low-income residents in Concord and surrounding communities through advocacy, tools, and resources.
- Familias Unidas — offers counseling and information center/referral services.
- Carecen SF (Central American Resource Center) — provides advocacy for immigrant rights, juvenile justice, and Latinx health.
- #UNDOCUHUSTLE — Immigrants Rising provides resources on entrepreneurship and freelancing, including planning, how to get started, financing, and marketing a business.
- Social Entrepreneurship — Immigrants Rising provides basic facts, funding opportunities, frequently asked questions, and additional resources on Social Entrepreneurship.
- UndocuJoy (Video) — A short video created by, Define American tells a story inspired by a poem by local artist Yosimar Reyes. The video encourages undocumented Americans to share their authentic moments of joy, and allies are encouraged to spread their message.
The term “DREAMer” describes young undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as children. These young adults have lived and gone to school here and, in many cases, identify as American and consider the United States their home.
The term “DREAMer” originated from The Federal Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act. The Federal Dream Act aims to create a pathway to citizenship for undocumented youth who grew up in the United States.
First introduced to Congress in 2001, the Federal Dream Act has not yet passed into law. Young undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as children do not have pathways to citizenship. Although pathways to citizenship are not available for undocumented youth, some states (like California) passed their versions of the DREAM Act.
The California Dream Act was passed in 2011. It enabled eligible undocumented students to receive state-funded financial aid and privately funded scholarships. The California Dream Act does not deal with immigration or pathways to citizenship. It is only to receive state financial aid.
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) grants eligible undocumented youth a 2-year renewable temporary relief from deportation and a social security number for work authorization. DACA does not currently provide a long-term pathway to citizenship and is unrelated to the California Dream Act. Students do not have to be DACA eligible to apply for the California Dream Act and vice versa— each program has its unique eligibility criteria.
Undocumented students are not eligible to apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or receive any federally funded student financial aid, including Pell Grant, SEOG Grant, work-study, and student loans. Students who receive a social security number from Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) are not eligible to apply for FAFSA.
Student Resources
At Contra Costa College, we provide essential resources to support your academic journey. Our comprehensive support services are designed to help you succeed in your studies, manage personal challenges, prepare for your career, and smoothly transition to four-year institutions.
