Student Lobby strives to unite activism, professionalism, and strategic action to further local, statewide, and national campaigns to progressively alter the current position of underrepresented students and all students striving to get a higher education. A major focus is empowering students to reverse the trend of escalating student costs and declining accessibility and quality in higher education.

To do this work Student Lobby often works with the UC Student Association (UCSA) an independent statewide organization dedicated to making sure the student voice is heard at the state level.

Student Lobby also builds strong coalitions with other on-campus, statewide, and national grassroots organizations and utilizes hands on activist training to achieve its goals. It acts as the official students agency to train students effectively lobby state and federal legislators, political officials, the media, and various UC staff members, administrators, and organizations. Through Student Lobby, students develop a thorough knowledge of the governing structure of the state, including the California State Assembly, Senate, various committees, current elected representatives, and current legislative policies regarding the status of Higher Education and, most significantly, the state budget. This knowledge is invaluable for students who intende to pursue a career in public policy and political/legislative affairs.

Economic Justice/Institutional Aid
for Undocumented Students

One main priority for UCSA’s undergraduate campaign is winning access to institutional aid (in the form of grants) for AB 540 students. AB 540 students are those who qualify for in-state tuition at public colleges and universities in California if they meet specified criteria, regardless of their immigration status. All AB 540 students are required to attend a California high school for at least three years and graduate or earn their GED, but not all AB 540 are eligible to compete for financial aid. Consequently AB 540 students are stuck in a situation in which they are required to pay their student fees and tuition out of pocket but cannot access any of the financial aid dollars (institutional aid) that their fees and tuition pay into. As a key component of the California DREAM Act, UCSA will work to pass statewide legislation that ensures all AB 540 students are eligible to compete for institutional aid.