With the signing of the Dream Act, undocumented immigrants will have the opportunity to receive financial aid.
As of Jan. 1, 2013, undocumented students who are attending college who qualify for the exemption from non-resident tution will be eligible to receive financial aid through colleges and universities throughout the state.
According to the Immigration Policy Center, roughly 65,000 undocumented students graduate from high school, but only 5 to 10 percent continue on to college, with many unable to go on because of financial reasons or because schools don't allow them to enroll.
The Dream Act makes those students eligible for financial aid at schools throughout the state's UC or CSU systems, have community college fees waives and be eligible to receive Cal Grants, which do not have to be repaid.
However, undocumented students would only become eligible for Cal Grants once all resident students have received such an award.
Bay City News contributed to this report.
