Welcome

Welcome to Palomar College!  This brochure is just the first step in ensuring your success in making your dreams of earning a college education a reality.

 

Legislation AB 540

Assembly Bill 540 is a California state law which allows qualifying students to pay in-state tuition at public colleges and universities in California.  On October 12, 2001, Governor Gray Davis signed AB 540 into law, authorizing undocumented students who meet specified criteria to pay in-state tuition at California public colleges and universities.  Before AB 540, these students were charged out of state tuition.

 

AB 540 requirements

• Attended a California high school for at least 3 years
• Graduated from a California high school or equivalent (GED)
• Registered or currently enrolled at an accredited institution of higher education in California
• Must file an AB540 affidavit (CA Non-resident Tuition Exemption Request Form) stating that you have filed an application to legalize your immigration status or will file an application as soon as you are eligible to do so
• Must not hold a valid non-immigrant visa (F, J, H, L, A, E, etc.)

(Note:  Qualifying for in-state tuition does not change your legal status, nor does it make you eligible for federal financial aid).

 

The California Dream Act

Two California state laws (AB 130 and AB 131) allow AB 540 students to apply for and be eligible to receive several types of financial assistance including:

• Board of Governor Enrollment Fee Waiver (BOGW)
• State financial aid such as Cal Grants, Chafee Grants (for former foster youth)
• Assistance from Educational Opportunity programs like EOPS, or CARE
• Private scholarships administered by the college

 

After applying for admission at Palomar College (see instructions below), you may apply for financial aid through the California Dream Act by completing the online application and creating a Personal Identification Number (PIN) at https://dream.csac.ca.gov.  You must use your PIN to sign your application and click on SUBMIT to complete your application (data must be submitted, not just saved).    A new California Dream Act Application must be completed every year between January 1^st and March 2^nd for the following academic year.  You may report estimated tax information if you have not yet filed your tax return.  All males between the ages of 18 and 26 are required to register with the Selective Service.

Workshops on how to fill out the California Dream Act are offered throughout the semester at both the San Marcos main campus and at the Escondido Center.  Call the Teaching and Learning Center at (760)744-1150 ext. 3931 (in San Marcos) or ext. 8171 (in Escondido) for more information.

 

Applying for Admission at Palomar College

• If you have a social security number, apply online through eServices at http://tinyurl.com/nejnhvr
• If you don’t have a social security number, download and fill out the paper application from http://www.palomar.edu/enrollmentservices/files/2014/12/app.pdf
• Next, download the AB540 affidavit form from http://www.palomar.edu/enrollmentservices/files/2015/08/AB540-AB2000-Form-07012015.pdf
• Print and submit the completed form and the required documentation (official High School transcript showing graduation date or GED certificate) to the Admissions Office in the Student Services Center (SSC) on the main San Marcos campus or at the Escondido Center.
• You will receive a Palomar ID number. Use that ID to create a password to long into your eServices account at http://tinyurl.com/nejnhvr
• Activate your student email in eServices
• If you need any help with any of the steps listed above email admissions@palomar.edu or call (760)744-1150 ext. 2367, or visit the Admissions office in the San Marcos campus or in Escondido. You can also call one of the key employees listed at the end of this brochure.

 

Assessment, Advisement, and Orientation

• Schedule an appointment at the Assessment Center to test your level of Math and English, and attend and orientation session that can answer many questions for new students. Visit palomar.edu/counseling/assessment/appointments.htm, or call (760)744-1150 ext. 2383 or 2476, or visit in person at SU-1 at the San Marcos campus or the Assessment Office in Escondido.  Make sure to ask for practice tests to help you study and obtain a higher score on the examination.
• If you are not fluent in English, contact the English as a Second Language (ESL) Department for your assessment test at (760)744-1150 ext. 2272.

 

Designing an Educational Plan

Make an appointment with a counselor to help you design an educational plan and pick the right classes for your academic goals.  You can visit www.palomar.edu/counseling, or call (760)891-7511, or visit in person the Counseling Department in the SSC in the San Marcos campus or Escondido Center.

 

Enrolling in Courses

• Check out the list of courses offered in the Palomar College Class Schedule (printed or online).
• Log in to your eServices and find your registration appointment (date and time after which you are allowed to register in classes).
• Click on Add/Drop Classes. Use the search tool to find classes that are on your educational plan and fit your schedule.
• Have back up classes that fit your educational plan in case classes are already closed.
• If a class is already full, try enrolling in its wait list and contact the instructor to find out how likely it is that you will be allowed to add the class the first day.

 

Resource Guide for Undocumented Students and their Families

• Educators for Fair Consideration (e4fc)

http://www.e4fc.org/

• Big Future

https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/

Check out 6 Things Undocumented Students Need to Know about College

https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-started/for-undocumented-students/6-things-

undocumented-students-need-to-know-about-college

• Immigration Equality’s FQA on DACA

http://www.immigrationequality.org/get-legal-help/our-legal-resources/path-to-status-in-the-u-s/daca-deferred-action-for-childhood-arrivals/

 

Key Palomar College Employees can be reached by phone at (760)744-1150

Name	Department	Extension
Luis Alfaro	Admissions/Enrollment/Financial Aid	2370
Christina Armenta	Admissions/Enrollment/Financial Aid	2164
Angelina Arzate	Admissions/Enrollment/Financial Aid	3249
Francisca Gonzales	Admissions/Enrollment/Financial Aid	2371
Ulises Nava	Admissions/Enrollment/Financial Aid	8122
Yvette Meyers	Evaluations and Records	3119
Gabe Sanchez	Counseling	3635
Jose Fernandez	Counseling	3037
Jose Luis Ramirez	Assessment	2182
Veronica Aguilera	EOPS	2241
Anel Gonzales	Diesel Technology	2584
Rosalinda Tovar	Teaching and Learning Center	3687
Carmelino Cruz	ESL	2262
Nancy Moreno	Orientation and Follow Up Services	3768
Rodolfo Jacobo	Multicultural Studies Department	2207
Martha Martinez	Mathematics Department	2872
Ruth Barnaba	STAR Tutoring Center	2448

 

FERPA

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. Under FERPA, your information is confidential and your immigration status cannot be shared with the department of Immigration and Naturalization Services.

 

Two Locations to Serve You!

San Marcos (main campus)             1140 W. Mission Road San Marcos, CA 92069

Escondido Education Center         1951 E. Valley Parkway, Escondido, CA 92027

 

Let the Dream Begin!

Click here to download this information                                                    <<Back to AB540 page