California Bill Would Expand College Financial Aid to Asylum Seekers
A California bill that would expand college financial aid to those seeking asylum passed the state Assembly and will now be heard in the state Senate.
Currently, Cal Grant financial aid awards are available only to U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens, such as those who possess a visa or those who are a part of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals—commonly known as DACA—program.
State Assembly Bill 888—introduced in February by Assemblywoman Sabrina Cervantes (D-Riverside)—would expand all such financial aid to immigrants who have applied for asylum and who have a valid employment authorization document and social security number….