July 25, 2011

HACU lauds signing of AB 130 and is urging legislature to send AB 131 to Governor to complete the California Dream Act

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) strongly applauds Governor Jerry Brown’s signing of Assembly Bill (AB) 130, part of the California Dream Act.This action brings college completion one step closer for deserving, hard-working students who have overcome other barriers to becoming college students. AB 130 will allow AB 540 students to apply for and receive scholarships derived from non-state funds at no cost to the state.

“The California Dream Act has been a long time in coming and we thank Assembly Member Gil Cedillo for his persistence on behalf of these students,” said HACU President and CEO Antonio R. Flores, “AB 130 is a good first step in fulfilling the promise to young people that higher education is within their reach. We look forward to having AB 131, the rest of the California Dream Act, sent to the Governor for his signature in August.”

HACU has strongly supported the passage of the California Dream Act since the Association opened its Western Regional Office in California in 2005 and continues to push for a Federal DREAM Act to ensure that all students have the opportunity to pursue their higher education goals.

Although California is not the first state to offer some form of financial aid to certain undocumented students,” Flores added, “we hope that this action will spur more states to address the financial needs of all students. HACU will continue to push for a Federal DREAM Act so that these students have a pathway to citizenship and their hard work can permanently contribute to our economic and social fabric.”

About HACU
The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) was established in 1986 with a founding membership of 18 institutions. Today, HACU represents more than 450 colleges and universities committed to Hispanic higher education success in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Latin America, Spain and Portugal. HACU is the only national association representing existing and emerging Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). This year, HACU is celebrating its 25th Anniversary and will host its annual conference in San Antonio, Texas, October 29-31, 2011.