32nd Annual UMBC McNair Research Conference

In the California Community College system, undocumented students encounter significant challenges in pursuing higher education. These problems primarily stem from limited access to financial aid and employment opportunities. This study aims to delve into and amplify the experiences of these students who confront barriers such as restricted access to the Cal Grant, consequently succumb to "under the table" jobs. This study seeks to address two key research questions: (1) How do undocumented students in California community colleges navigate financial challenges when their access to financial aid is confined to the Cal Grant? (2) What impact does 'under the table' employment have on undocumented students’ retention, transfer, and graduation trajectory? Using in-depth interviews, the Chicana/Latina feminist methodology of Platicas, and an intersectionality lens, this paper aims to illuminate the substantial hardships that undocumented students face while navigating the higher education system. The findings from this study will shed light on the labor that undocumented students undertake to sustain their academic endeavors, emphasizing the urgent need for more inclusive financial aid policies, equitable labor opportunities, and increased support within the institution across courses, services, and classroom experiences.