“Education is already getting less funding and now there is going to be less money available for students whose parents haven’t done anything wrong,” Mehlman said. “How is it that they are managing to find more money for illegal aliens?”

Even with financial aid, undocumented students face an uphill battle.

A 21-year-old SF State cell and molecular biology major, who Xpress will refer to as Miguel, was brought into the country when he was 1 year old. After graduating from high school he received a full scholarship to attend SF State. Since the scholarship only covers four years of school, he has had to take between 16 and 19 units every semester.

“A lot of doors will be shut and I will need to find a way around them,” Miguel said in terms of graduating. “But I can’t put too much weight on reality – I have to have hope that one day things will be different.”

While the state’s legislation will make it easier for undocumented students to afford college, it will not grant them citizenship, which falls under federal jurisdiction. The federal Dream Act, which was introduced in the Senate in 2001 and has been stalled throughout the last decade, would legalize undocumented youth.

Gov. Brown showed his support for the California Dream Act during his campaign last fall and is expected to sign the bill within the next 30 days.