Undocumented Student Services
Quick overview
Undocumented Student Services (USS) is here to help you succeed—not just academically, but in every part of your life at UCSC.
Who this is for: Undocumented undergraduate and graduate students, including students with DACA, those without legal status, and students from mixed-status families.
What we offer: Holistic support to help you thrive at UC Santa Cruz—from academic guidance and legal resources to wellness programs, community spaces, and emergency financial support. This includes DACA renewal assistance, academic counseling, internships and conference funding, orientation programs, and more.
Connect with us
Location: Academic Resources Center Building, Room 216 (2nd floor)
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Email: eop@ucsc.edu
Phone: (831) 459-2296
Instagram: @UndocuSlugs
Newsletter: UndocuCorner
Appointments: Schedule via Slug Success
Financial support
Help navigating tuition, aid, scholarships, and emergency support.
We can help you:
- Qualify for in-state tuition under AB 540, AB 2000, or SB 68
- Apply for the California Dream Act
- Explore scholarships open to undocumented students
- Access emergency funding
- Understand Selective Service requirements tied to financial aid eligibility
Legal support
Access free immigration legal services and know your rights.
We offer:
- Confidential legal consultations for DACA renewals, family petitions, and more
- Know Your Rights resources, including what to do during encounters with law enforcement or immigration officials
- Information on AB 21 protections, which help ensure UC campuses remain safe and welcoming
Key programs and services
UC Santa Cruz’s Undocumented Student Services (USS) team supports you through every phase of your journey—from applying and enrolling to graduating and planning what comes next. We offer personalized guidance, welcoming spaces, community-building events, and connections to legal, academic, financial, and wellness resources.
IGNITE orientation
Inspiring Growth, Nurturing Innovation, & Transforming Education
IGNITE is an extended orientation program for first-year freshmen and transfer students featuring:
- Summer virtual workshops
- Five-day fall on-campus experience
- Social events and interactive workshops
- Partnerships with USS, Services for Transfer Re-entry and Resilient Scholars (STARRS), and campus Resource Centers.
“The extended orientation calmed my nervousness down. It helped me a lot, and I feel like college is possible now more than ever for AB 540 students.”
— First-year frosh student, undeclared
Holistic academic counseling
Support that understands your lived experience.
USS academic counselors work in partnership with Educational Opportunity Programs (EOP) to provide:
- Personalized guidance on course planning, goals, and campus resources
- Drop-in availability for quick questions
Life After College Workshop Series
Planning for what comes next.
Our quarterly Life After College workshop series is designed for undocumented students preparing for life after UCSC. Each session features guest speakers and topics like:
- Graduate and professional school
- Entrepreneurship and career pathways
- Financial education and health/wellness.
Explore past workshops on the Undocumented Student Services YouTube channel.
Campus connections
(Un)docu Studies course: CRES 70U
Offered through the Critical Race and Ethnic Studies (CRES) department, this course deconstructs the idea that immigration is only a Latinx issue. Students explore diverse narratives around migration and undocumented status, with an emphasis on solidarity and social change.
Inclusive professional opportunities
UndocuCareer Development Fund
Get support to grow your future.
Apply for funding to help cover the costs of professional and career-building experiences, like:
- Internships and fellowships
- Conferences and professional development
Eligibility includes a Dream Act application, full-time enrollment, and a 2.0+ GPA.
To apply: Make an appointment with a USS or EOP counselor.
UCSC-based opportunities
Events
Annual Highlights
Fall Welcome
Beginning of Fall quarter event for all incoming undocumented students to learn about available programs and services. Open to continuing undocumented students, too!
California Dream Act Clinic
Annual financial assistance workshops for completing the California Dream Act application, in partnership with the Financial Aid office.
End of Year Celebration
Celebrate the accomplishments of the undocumented student community! Connect with faculty, staff, and students. Graduating students receive a complimentary stole to wear during the celebration.
Connect with our team
The staff behind Undocumented Student Services (USS) are deeply committed to supporting undocumented students and their unique educational journey. Whether you need help navigating financial aid options, understanding your rights and resources, connecting with scholarship opportunities, or just want someone to talk to who understands the challenges you face as an undocumented student, we’re here for you. Our approach is student-centered, community-driven, and grounded in the belief that higher education can be transformative.
Reach out anytime—we’d love to connect.
Email: eop@ucsc.edu
Our mission
Undocumented Student Services (USS) advocates for and partners with each student and the larger campus community to dismantle systemic barriers to success, uncover the hidden curriculum of higher education, and cultivate a space where undocumented students can learn and belong at UC Santa Cruz.
Our logo
With student feedback, staff collaboration, and countless sketches and design iterations, we brought to life a logo that embodies the heart of our mission and the lived experiences of the USS students we passionately serve.
This logo stands as a tribute to the strength, resilience, and brilliance of our Undocumented and mixed-status community. More than just an image, it reflects a shared vision, one rooted in identity, unity, and pride. It embodies the lived experiences, dreams, and unwavering spirit of a community that continues to rise, lead, and inspire.
This logo will serve as a powerful declaration of presence, resilience, and orgullo. It’s a symbol of strength, of being seen, and of claiming space as proud Undocumented Banana Slugs!
Learn more about our logo
The new Undocumented Student Services (USS) logo is a vibrant and meaningful representation of the undocumented student experience, thoughtfully designed to reflect both personal journeys and the collective mission of support, empowerment, and belonging at UC Santa Cruz.
- The Butterfly stands as a symbol of migration, transformation, and hope. It reflects the resilience and ongoing growth of undocumented students as they navigate the trenches of higher education.
- The Clenched Fist on the Wings signifies strength, resistance, and unity in the face of adversity, highlighting the community’s commitment to advocacy and social justice.
- The Graduation Cap represents academic achievement and the pursuit of dreams, celebrating the success of undocumented students as they overcome barriers to reach their educational goals and fulfill their dreams of graduating from UC, Santa Cruz..
- The Ocean and Redwood Trees are well-known symbols of the UC Santa Cruz campus and validating a strong sense of belonging for this student population. The ocean reflects possibility, movement, and renewal, while the redwoods stand for endurance, growth, and deep connection to the land and community.
- The University Mascot and Colors reinforce a sense of pride and belonging, affirming that undocumented students are a valued part of the university community.
Together, these elements serve as a bold and heartfelt embodiment of the USS mission, to uplift, empower, and stand beside undocumented students as they transition into university life and flourish in every aspect of their journey at UC, Santa Cruz: personally, academically, and professionally.
