Laura Avalos has always enjoyed school.  She maintained a B average in high school and upon visiting Santa Cruz, Calif., her freshman year she decided she wanted to attend University of California, Santa Cruz to become a marine biologist.

Avalos’ dreams of higher education were thwarted when she learned that she was not a U.S. citizen, where she grew up. Like many undocumented students, Avalos did not qualify for financial aid and had to put her college career on hold until she saved enough money to pay her tuition.

“I was scared,” she said, “but I knew I could do it. I thought it may take me longer than most students, but I can do it.”

Gov. Jerry Brown raised some hopes and some eyebrows with the signing of California’s Dream ACT, AB130, one of two bills allowing undocumented students residing in California to receive private financial aid such as scholarships. Qualifying students must be eligible for the AB 540, a form that allows undocumented students in California to receive in-state tuition costs.

While many undocumented students see the signing of AB 130 as a sign of good things to come, some, like Avalos, see the bill as a far cry from solving the financial issues they face.

“It’s really competitive,” Avalos said about receiving the newly available scholarships. She has been attending Fresno City College since fall 2008. Prior to the signing of this bill she had looked into applying for Latreza, a scholarship designed to help undocumented students pay for their education. She was unsuccessful in gaining the scholarship due to the competitiveness.

Avalos said she would like to see the other half of California’s Dream Act, AB 131 signed, which allows for undocumented students to receive public financial aid such as FAFSA.

“The AB 130 does make for a more equal opportunity for me, but I still won’t get financial aid,” she said.  Avalos has lived in the U.S. since she was three and believes it is unfair that she is unable to get the public funding other students do simply because she was not born here.

“I’ve got better grades then I believe other students have. There are students that get 2.5’s. They get financial aid, it might not be a lot, but it’s guaranteed to them.”

According to Passab131.com, a campaign pushing for the signing of the bill led by the Patriots of Orange County, the bill has cleared the senate and is now headed to Gov. Brown’s desk.

While there are many supporters of the bill, there are some who believe its signing will further the budget crisis.

“It’s another entitlement program we can’t afford,” said 68-year-old entrepreneur, Thomas E. Prudek. He believes that allowing undocumented students to receive financial aid would be wasting the money, as he believes they would be unable to find legal, gainful employment. Prudek says he has no problem with students from other countries attending college in the U.S. if they are willing to pay for the education themselves.

“If their own country wants to send them over here with pockets full of money that’s fine,” he said, “but now our universities give it to them for nothing. I’m against that.” Upon taking notice of students like Avalos who have resided in this country almost their entire lives Prudek remains firm in his opinion.

“Hey, they’re not even supposed to be in this country,” he said. “I don’t care how they got here or how long they’ve been here.”

According to Dr. John H. Cummings, the vice president for admissions and records at FCC, there are 1,356 undocumented students attending FCC this semester. This is a record high number compared to the 1,100 students that usually attend FCC. Cummings believes this is due to the economy.

On average, the signing of the AB 130 and possible signing of the AB 131 would help an estimated 2,000 students per year at FCC alone.  While opponents of the bill, such as Prudek believe we would be wasting funds, Avalos and other undocumented students believe they should be afforded the same rights as U.S. citizens born in this country.

“I’ve lived the same life you (U.S. citizens) have. I’ve been here since I was two. It hasn’t been my fault that I was brought here and I’m accustomed to it,” Avalos said. Regardless of whether or not the second half of the bill is signed, Avalos says she will continue to further her education.

“I know that I can do it,” she said.  “With the help of the government or without the government.”