Pomona College is committed to welcoming undocumented students, and to providing needed support and resources on our campus. The College also works on a national level to welcome undocumented and DACAmented students within higher education. After the DACA program was rescinded in September 2017, the College offered additional support and legal resources to students.
Undocumented student support initiatives—A component of our Cultural Communities and Mentor Programs unit—provides guidance and support to undocumented & DACAmented undergraduates at Pomona College. We practice a holistic, multicultural and solution-focused approach that delivers individualized service for each student. The mental health support, legal support, financial aid resources and extensive campus referral network helps students develop the unique gifts and talents they each bring to the college, while empowering a sense of belonging.
In addition, we collaborate with campus partners to create curriculum and training for students, faculty and staff in order to increase institutional support for undocumented students.
Undocumented Student Resources
Prospective Students
In admissions and financial aid, Pomona considers undocumented and DACAmented students who graduate from a U.S. high school to be domestic applicants, and we review their applications for admission and financial aid by the same criteria. For more information regarding admissions, please email admissions@pomona.edu. For questions about financial aid, please contact the Office of Financial Aid.
Legal Resources
Current Pomona students and alumni may contact the Sagehen Pro Bono immigration legal resources network (primarily composed of alumni) via email at any time for immigration issues or concerns that may arise. The Sagehen network is for current students, alumni and their immediate family members.
Current students may also contact the Sagehen network to arrange a consultation with a lawyer regarding legal representation resources in case of detention (including a signed G28 form).
Emergency Funds/Grants
Students may request funding related to immigration-related costs. Students may also apply for emergency funding for immigration-related fees for them, parents or close family members.
The College may provide up to $1,000 in legal support for immigration-related cases. These requests are reviewed with our alumni lawyers who are part of a pro bono legal resource network for students, alumni, as well as students who are citizens or legal permanent residents but whose parents or siblings are undocumented.
On-Campus Resources
A variety of resources are available to undocumented and DACAmented students who need support:
Staff Support
Student affairs staff provide support for undocumented students. In the Office of Cultural Communities and Mentor Programs (CCMP), Daniel Caballero serves as Assistant Director, First-Generation & Undocumented Student Programs and works closely with the IDEAS (Improving Dreams, Equality, Access and Success) Club of The Claremont Colleges as well as the Pomona IDEAS mentoring program for undocumented students and FLI (First-Generation, Low-Income Scholars Mentorship); Dean Brandon Jackson oversees the student CCMP; Associate Dean of Students and Director of the Draper Center for Community Partnerships Sefa Aina; Draper Center Assistant Director, Andres Aguilar; and Associate Dean of Students and Director of the Asian American Resource Center Mike Manalo-Pedro provide additional program support.
Student Groups
Student-led groups such as IDEAS offer cross campus support for undocumented students and allies. The Pomona IDEAS peer mentoring program provides personalized support for undocumented students in their transition to Pomona.
Counseling Services
To supplement the resources of Monsour Counseling Center, the Dean of Students Office also offers access to therapists off campus with whom the office and Monsour counseling have developed local partnerships, including therapists with expertise in working with undocumented students. On-campus as well as off-site counseling services are available for all students. Students can email wellness@pomona.edu to find out more. Monsour counseling is also open for counseling appointments, and encourages students to contact them at (909) 621-8202 if they need to see a counselor immediately. Students can also contact the on-call dean 24/7 via Campus Safety (909-607-2000).
Career Development and Post-graduation Support
The Career Development Office (CDO) empowers students and alumni to utilize their liberal arts education to gain self-understanding, identify their interests, and formulate a career plan. Through the programs, resources and services, the CDO strives to inspire, educate, and equip Sagehens for a purposeful and rewarding life. The CDO offers three distinguished programs: The Pomona College Internship Program (PCIP Semester), Summer Experience (PCIP Summer Experience) and Campus Fellowships for Experiential Learning. These programs aid students in the process of exploring & determining a career path, gaining a rich understanding of a particular field and/or organization, building & growing their professional networks, and enhancing the understanding of how their liberal arts education will be applied in a professional work environment.
Financial Aid
Students may request funding through the Office of Financial Aid to replace a reasonable amount of the expected work study funding and/or the student contribution if a student is not able to work due to an expiring DACA work authorization or other extenuating circumstances. Students may submit the Work-Study Replacement Request [pdf] form to the Office of Financial Aid. We also welcome students to meet with their financial aid counselor at any time if they encounter financial challenges or if there are changing financial circumstances at home. Each student’s financial circumstances are different and we work individually with each student to address any changes if issues emerge.
Organizations and Networks
Graduates Reaching a Dream Deferred, California Network
Graduates Reaching A Dream Deferred (GRADD) is an organization founded by undocumented graduate students, which aims to address the needs of immigrant students interested in pursuing graduate education. GRADD works to establish a national network of students, faculty members and community leaders dedicated to bringing resources and attention to this underserved student population. Through the creation of an inclusive and safe environment, GRADD intends to reassure students that their academic and professional goals are achievable.
National Forum on Higher Education for the Public Good, Ann Arbor, Michigan
The National Forum exists to support higher education’s role as a public good. In this pursuit, the Forum utilizes research and other tools to create and disseminate knowledge that addresses higher education issues of public importance.
National Immigration Law Center
Founded in 1979, the National Immigration Law Center (NILC) is the primary advocacy organization in the U.S. exclusively dedicated to defending and advancing the rights and opportunities of low-income immigrants and their families.
Immigrants Rising
E4FC’s mission is to empower undocumented young people to achieve their academic and career goals and actively contribute to society.
TheDream.US
TheDream.US is a new multimillion dollar National Scholarship Fund for DREAMers, created to help immigrant youth who’ve received DACA achieve their American Dream through the completion of a college education.
Migration Policy Institute
The Migration Policy Institute is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit think tank in Washington, DC, dedicated to analysis of the movement of people worldwide.
Asian Americans Advancing Justice
The mission of Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAAJ) is to promote a fair and equitable society for all by working for civil and human rights and empowering Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and other underserved communities.
UndocuBlack Network
The UndocuBlackNetwork (UBN)is a multigenerational network of currently and formerly undocumented Black people that fosters community, facilitates access to resources, and contributes to transforming the realities of our people, so we are thriving and living our fullest lives.