Hancock College reassures its undocumented students amid post-election fears

To help ease the uneasy, Hancock College offered a workshop Friday morning to its more than 400 undocumented students about financial aid options and to reassure the group their school stands behind them.

Dozens of students showed up to hear that a letter endorsed by the University of California university system, the California State university system, and the California Community College System has been sent to president elect Donald Trump, urging him to support undocumented students and their goals of higher education. They were also given tips and advice on how to apply for financial aid, even as undocumented students.

“It just feels really good,” says Ellie Herrera, an undocumented biochemistry major at Hancock College. “We now know what kind of financial aid we can apply for, and where to get it. It just feels so good to know we’re not alone.”

“Many are fearful of the situation,” says Raul Aldana, who works in financial aid at the college. He believes the election of Donald Trump has many students fearing the end of “DACA,” or the “Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival Program. This allows some undocumented teenagers and young adults the chance to stay in the country and pursue higher education.

“I think everyone wants to do the right thing. These students aren’t slackers, they just want to work hard and get an education.”

For Herrera, Friday morning’s meeting was inspiring.

Another step on the path towards a degree.

“We can make it,” she says. “If we set a goal, we can all make it.”