Binational Programs

AB-91 establecerá un programa piloto de 5 años para permitir que los estudiantes de bajos ingresos que hayan residido dentro de 45 millas de la frontera entre California y México, durante al menos un año antes de su inscripción, sean elegibles para las tarifas de matrícula estatales en un colegio comunitario miembro de la Asociación de Colegios Comunitarios de San Diego el Valle Imperial (SDICCCA, for sus siglas en Ingles), ubicado en California.

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La colaboración transfronteriza que resultaría de los cambios legislativos propuestos fortalecería la salud económica de la Mega Región CaliBaja al expandir el acceso a la educación superior y aumentar una fuerza laboral transfronteriza capacitada. Dado el importante nivel de actividad transfronteriza en la región, las relaciones fronterizas tienen un gran impacto en la economía y la fuerza laboral de la región.

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El proyecto de ley requeriría que las juntas directivas de los colegios comunitarios que elijan utilizar esta exención adopten una política uniforme para determinar la clasificación de residencia de un estudiante, establezcan procedimientos para una apelación y revisión de la clasificación de residencia, y determinen si un estudiante tiene bajos ingresos. El proyecto de ley también requeriría que las juntas directivas de los colegios comunitarios que elijan utilizar esta exención, como condición para que sus estudiantes reciban la exención descrita anteriormente, colaboren entre sí para garantizar la adopción de la política uniforme. 

SDICCCA establecerá un grupo de trabajo para desarrollar la política uniforme que abordará los requisitos de ingresos y residencia, así como un proceso de apelación. Una vez que SDICCCA apruebe la política uniforme, los colegios que elijan participar en el programa piloto llevarán la política uniforme a sus juntas directivas para su aprobación.

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AB-91 will establish a 5-year pilot program to allow low-income students who have residence within 45 miles of the California-Mexico border, for at least one year immediately before enrolling, to be eligible for in-state tuition rates at Southwestern College or another  San Diego and Imperial Counties Community College Association (SDICCCA) member college, located in California.

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The cross border collaboration that would result from the proposed legislative changes would strengthen the economic health of CaliBaja MegaRegion by expanding access to higher education and increasing a skilled cross border workforce.

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The bill would require the governing boards of participating community colleges, that choose to use this exemption, to adopt one uniform policy that determines a student’s residence classification, establishes procedures for an appeal and review of the residence classification, and determines whether a student is low income. The bill would also require the governing boards of participating community colleges, as a condition of its students receiving the exemption described above, to collaborate with each other to ensure the adoption of the uniform policy.

SDICCCA will be establishing a working group to develop the uniform policy that will address income and residency requirements, as well as an appeal process.  Once SDICCCA approves the uniform policy, colleges choosing to participate in the pilot program will bring the uniform policy to their governing boards for approval.

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 In partnership with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), SWC hosts Global Entry Interviews at the Chula Vista campus. This pilot program allows students, faculty, administrators, and classified staff to have an expedited interview date at SWC. 

Global Entry Applications only. The following statuses will be considered:

• New Application. Must be fully submitted before August 10, 2023.
• Pre-Approved
• Pending Interview
• Renewal

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U.S. Customs and Border Protection will only offer Global Entry Interviews at SWC.Back to top

Students:

• Must be a current student, full-time (12 or more units) or part-time (6 or more units).
• Must be pursuing an associate's degree or certificate program.
• Must be registered in classes in Fall 2023. 

Staff:

• Full-time or part-time faculty, administrators, and classified staff with active assignments in Fall 2023.
• Temporary employees do not qualify for this program. 

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November 1 and 2, 2023, from 8:00 to 4:00 PM

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The Binational/International Programs (BIP) Office is responsible for gathering all the necessary information from applicants who wish to participate in the interview program. Once the list of applicants is compiled, it is sent to CBP for review. After carefully examining the list, CBP will send a list back to BIP with the names of applicants who meet the requirements to participate in the interview program. BIP then takes over the responsibility of facilitating the communication process and arranging the logistics for the interviews, which take place at the Chula Vista campus. By working together, BIP and CBP ensure the interview program runs smoothly and efficiently.

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Before you apply, please review the eligibility requirements above. To complete this application, you will need: 

• Active Global Entry PASS ID. Sentri applications will not be accepted.
• The contact information you used on your Global Entry application
• Availability on November 1 and 2, 2023, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. We cannot accommodate requests for a specific date or time. 
• Valid U.S. Passport book for the day of the interview

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The online application portal will be open from August 10, 2023, at 8:00 AM to August 14, 2023, at 5:00 PM.

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The first one hundred (100) applications will be accepted on a first-come-first-served basis. 

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Online application 

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We expect to have a final list from CBP by October 15, 2023. 

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All the information you provide within the Global Entry Grant application is confidential and will only be processed directly by Binational and International Programs for the purposes of this program. 

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• I have a Sentri application pending. Can I have an interview on campus?
  • No, U.S. Customs and Border Protection has limited this program to Global Entry applications only. ​​​​​​​
• Can SWC or Binational/International Programs answer questions about the status of my Global Entry application? 
  • SWC does not have access to that information. If you have any general inquiries, please contact the Global Entry Call Center at 619-690-7600 Option 5 or via e-mail at sentri@cbp.dhs.gov. 
• How are applicants selected?
  • The Binational/International Programs Office sends the list of applicants to CBP. CBP reviews each applicant and determines interview eligibility.
• Can I request an interview date/time?
  • No, CBP assigns the date and time. These cannot be changed.
• Will walk-ins be allowed?
  • We cannot accommodate walk-ins. All interviews must be scheduled ahead of time. 
• ​​​​​​​Can I include a dependent such as a spouse, partner, or child in this application for an interview at SWC?​​​​
  • This program is only open to SWC students, faculty, administrators, and classified staff. 
• ​​​​​​​My Global Entry application has been denied. Can I come to ask a U.S. Customs or Border Protection Officer questions?​​​​​​​
  • No, you may not. Please get in touch with the Global Entry/Sentri Call Center.
• ​​​​​​​How will I be notified if selected for an interview? ​​
  • The Binational/International Programs Office will send you an e-mail to confirm your interview date and time.
• If not selected by CBP for an interview on campus, can SWC help me find out why?
  
  • The Binational/International Programs Office cannot access such information. Please contact the Global Entry Call Center at 619-690-7600 Option 5 or via e-mail at sentri@cbp.dhs.gov. 
• I missed the deadline; may I be placed on the waitlist just in case of a cancellation?
  • There is no waitlist option for this program.
• I have a temp/hourly work assignment at SWC; may I apply?
  • Unfortunately, you may not. The program will only accept applications from full-time and part-time employees for this interview date.
• I am an adjunct faculty member; do I qualify?
  •  Yes, if you have a teaching assignment in Fall 2023. 
• What documents do I need to take to the interview?
  • The Binational/International Programs Office will send you a list of documents along with your interview date confirmation.
• I have questions about including a vehicle on my application; can you help me?
  • We do not have access to that information. Please contact the Global Entry Call Center at 619-690-7600 Option 5 or via e-mail at sentri@cbp.dhs.gov. 
• I really need an appointment for my spouse, partner, or child; can you make an exemption?
  • No, due to the overwhelming interest from members of the SWC Community, we will not have space for additional applicants.
• Will this opportunity be open to my dependent(s) in the future?
  • We don't know. It is a decision made by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. 
• If I don't make the list this time, will future opportunities exist?
  • Yes, SWC will attempt to organize this event once per semester.
• I will not be a full-time or part-time employee of the District in November. Do I still qualify?
  • No, this opportunity is only available to full-time or part-time employees with active work assignments in Fall 2023 (August 21, 2023, to December 14, 2023).

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