For immigrant and undocumented students in California, choosing what comes after high school can involve financial aid, family security, immigration status and whether a degree will lead to the career they want.
High school graduation is a transition to college, work or other plans for the future. For immigrant students, those decisions are increasingly shaped by questions about immigration status, financial aid, family security and the ability to work in the professions they hope to enter.
The issues are particularly important in California, where immigrants and their children make up a large share of the student population. About 3% of California’s K-12 students are estimated to be undocumented, while 22% have at least one undocumented parent, according to the Public Policy Institute of California. Roughly 60% of the state’s K-12 students are Latino.
College access is already uneven across California. Among students who graduated from high school in 2023, 72% enrolled in college within 12 months. The rate was 65% for Latino graduates, compared with 77% for white students and 95% for Asian American students.
Where students enroll also differs. Statewide, 39% of high school graduates who continued their education enrolled at a California community college, compared with 13% at California State University and 9% at the University of California. Only about 3% enrolled at private colleges in California and 7% attended colleges outside the state. Latino graduates were particularly likely to remain in California: only 3% enrolled outside the state, compared with 15% of white graduates and 11% of Asian graduates.
For students without permanent immigration status, the financial-aid system adds another layer. Undocumented students are not eligible for federal financial aid, but California allows qualifying students to apply for state financial aid through the California Dream Act Application. Students who meet the requirements of AB 540 can also qualify for in-state tuition.
California’s financial-aid system has also changed in recent years. Since the 2022–23 school year, California high schools have been required to ensure that seniors complete either the federal FAFSA or the California Dream Act Application, or formally opt out. Research from the Public Policy Institute of California found that the policy increased financial-aid application and college enrollment among historically underserved students, including Latino students. But about 30% of students still did not complete either application, leaving them without key information about the aid for which they might qualify.
The choice between a community college and a four-year institution can also have long-term consequences. California’s community colleges are an important entry point for Latino and low-income students, but students who begin at a community college are less likely to eventually earn a bachelor’s degree than those who begin at a four-year university.
Immigration status can also become relevant after college, particularly for students planning careers that require professional licenses. The issue is not the same across all professions or immigration categories, and eligibility varies by state and occupation. But uncertainty about whether a degree will lead to a licensed profession can influence which fields students consider.
The policy environment is also changing beyond California. In 2026, the Trump administration has challenged state policies that provide in-state tuition or other higher-education benefits to undocumented students. The legal challenges have already affected several states, creating additional uncertainty for students and families making college decisions.
California has maintained policies designed to expand access for undocumented students. The California Dream Act allows eligible students to apply for state financial aid, while AB 540 provides qualifying students with an exemption from nonresident tuition.
For immigrant high school graduates, the decision about what comes next therefore involves more than choosing a college. It can involve the cost of attendance, access to financial aid, proximity to family, immigration status, state policy and the prospects for working in the profession they choose.
The result is a set of college decisions that can look different even among students with similar academic qualifications.
For some, a four-year university may remain the preferred option. For others, community college may provide a less expensive way to continue their education while remaining close to family. And for students whose immigration status creates uncertainty about financial aid, employment or professional licensing, the choice of a major or college may also be a calculation about what opportunities will remain available after graduation.
For immigrant graduates, college is still a pathway to opportunity. But the path is increasingly shaped by rules and circumstances that extend well beyond the classroom.
