The Undocumented Students Retention Fund campaign will generate a fund allocated to the mission of relieving financial strains and providing services to help retain undocumented students at UCSC. Our goal is to raise $15,000, which will aid students with emergency costs such as unexpected medical bills, food insecurity, housing, educational expenses, legal fees, family emergencies, professional development, and loss of income as a result of immigration status—all financial barriers that may result in interrupted studies.
Our Giving Day committee is a mixture of student interns and staff from Educational Opportunity Programs (EOP) Undocumented Student Services, the Diversity and Inclusions Program, and Student Retention Services. We hope to utilize our collective skills to directly and positively impact our community of undocumented students.
Why it matters: There should be equal access to higher education for all undergraduate and graduate students at UCSC, regardless of immigration status. Given the current political climate, as well as the severe threats to the safety and stability of undocumented students, these students are at higher risk of economic, academic, physical, and mental health disadvantage. Because of instability in federal, state, and campus policies that protect undocumented students, the fund is needed to ensure these students' access to and achievement in higher education. Currently, undocumented students do not qualify for federal financial aid and consequently face financial barriers and a structural funding gap. Emergency funding for unplanned expenses is critical for supporting undocumented students at UCSC.
The funding generated from your donation will increase the number of successful students who can graduate, both at the undergraduate and graduate level, by removing the financial distress that impacts these students’ academics. All students benefit from the contributions of undocumented students at UCSC, and the inclusion of all students creates a productive learning environment.
Our matching gift of $250 has been met! Let's keep the donations coming in!
