Undocumented Student paying for college, should I go back to my country?

• I am an undocumented senior planning to attend a four-year university next year. I've been accepted to many prestigious universities and among them are UC Berkeley and UCLA which are my final choices. Before people start criticizing and calling me a lowly illegal immigrant and a crminal, PLEASE PLEASE hear me out. I came to the United States at the age of eight because, to my knowledge, my family was rejected to a visa. For the purpose of achieving the American Dream, my family illegally immigrated to the United States with all of the money we can scrap for in our country. At the young age, I was not aware that I was different from everybody else. I did not understand why I would not be able to qualify for scholarships and opportunities than other students. As soon as I figured out that I was at a disadvantage from the other millions of high school students in the United States, I began working, studying, and becoming mentally stronger than anybody else in the nation. I understood that in order for me to succeed in this country, that working three times harder than everybody was mandatory. I became the valedictorian of the school. That was not enough, so I pushed myself further and was elected as the Student Body President. As a result, I was accepted to the college of my dream: UCLA and UC Berkeley. And now I have a huge problem. I have to somehow be able to pay an enormous sum of $55,512. I am doing everything I can to find a solution. I am researching for scholarships that I can qualify for and doing everything I can to attend the school of my dream. But sometimes, the burden is overwhelming and I wonder if all that hard work will all go to waste. Not a day goes by without fearing my future. This is not a pity story and I can understand why citizens can consider illegal immigrants a criminal. But I promise that I am an American at heart and if I am given the opportunity, I will repay this great country tenfold. What I am asking for are ideas and solutions because going through this difficult time all by myself is agonizing. Where can I find the money to attend a college? Who can I turn to to ask for help when it's necessary? Is there any website I can fundraise in? Is there anywhere else I can let my problem be known and seek help for? If there is anything I've learned through my struggle, it's that nothing is impossible. Please help me turn this American dream into a reality. Thank you very much. It is very racist to automatically assume that I'm Mexican. I am not Hispanic. I would love to prove to you that I did indeed accomplish those achievements, but unfortunately I can't. You guys have no idea how much stress and adversities I have to overcome as an undocumented student. First of all, I did not CHOOOOOOSE to immigrate to this country illegally. Second of all, I live in a poverty-stricken neighborhood and everything that's been gifted to me, I receive in appreciation. You live a life of fame and glory compared to undocumented students, so don't complain and criticize those who are less fortunate than you. Instead, learn to help those that are unfortunate. You have no idea of how ******* miserable my life is as a ******* illegal immigrant.

• Answer:

  A California High School diploma makes you eligible for community college and $20-per-unit "in-state" tuition in California. No questions asked. I have a nice 6-digit income, but my now 21 year-old daughter went for 2 years to the Santa Barbara community college and then transferred to a 4-year university. The Bachelor's degree you'll be receiving at the end of your "first" 4 years will not reveal where you spent your first 2 years and it will save you silly money while giving you the same education, assuming you choose AP classes and the Transfer Alliance Program. Before you'll have your GE units complete, the DREAM Act will have become reality. That will be your path to a Green Card.