California DREAM: The Impact of Financial Aid for Undocumented Community College Students

• In Event: The Interrupted DREAM: Tuition & Aid for Undocu/DACAmented Students

Abstract

Ineligibility for state financial aid has traditionally limited undocumented students’ access to higher education. We identify the causal impact of the California DREAM Act, which provided fee waivers to undocumented students in financial need, on community college enrollment behaviors. We find significant increases in enrollment and credit completion.

Authors

• Federick Joseph Ngo, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

• Samantha Astudillo, USC Rossier School of Education

• David Velasquez, USC Rossier School of Education