California Dream Act

The California Dream Act Application allows students enrolled in eligible California Colleges, Universities and Career Education Programs to apply for state financial aid. This application is unrelated to the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

California Dream Act Online Application

California Dream Act FAQ

What is AB 540?

AB 540 exempts certain students from paying nonresident tuition (higher than resident tuition) and allows them to apply for different types of California Dream Act financial aid.

Students must have

1. Satisfaction of either of the following:
   1. High School attendance in California for three or more years.
   2. Attainment of credits earned in California from a California high school equivalent to three or more years of full-time high school coursework and a total of three or more years of attendance in California elementary schools, California secondary schools, or a combination of those schools.
2. Graduated or will graduate from a California high school or obtained a Certificate or General Education Development (GED), High School Equivalency Test (HiSET), or test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC).
3. Will register or enroll in an accredited and qualifying California college or university.
4. If applicable, complete(d) an affidavit to legalize immigration status as soon as you are eligible.
5. Do not hold a valid non-immigrant visa (F, J, H, L, A, B, C, D, E, etc.)**

**If you have Temporary Protected Status or hold a U Visa you may be eligible for the California Dream Act.

AB 1899 allows U and T visa holders to also apply for state financial aid. (T visa holders should file a FAFSA, U visa holders should file a CA Dream Act Application)

If you meet the requirements above, you should complete the CA Dream Act Application for financial aid. (A certified GPA is also necessary for Cal Grant consideration.)

Your college is responsible for verifying your AB 540 eligibility. Check with your Admissions Office early in the summer before the Fall Term starts.

What is Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)?

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is a federal process that defers removal action of an individual by USCIS for a specified number of years.

• It is not the same as financial aid
• It does not grant lawful immigration status
• It does allow individuals to apply for an SSN and work authorization

CA Dreamers should still file a CA Dream Act Application instead of a FAFSA and submit a Non-SSN GPA. If you or your school submits your certified GPA using your DACA SSN, make sure you include that DACA SSN on question #8 of your CA Dream Act Application.

For more info about DACA visit: uscis.gov, e4fc.org, and weownthedream.org

For more details about the difference between DACA and California Dream Act
visit download this PDF

What Financial Aid Can a Dreamer Apply For?

• Cal Grant, Chafee Grant, Middle Class Scholarship
• UC Grants, State University Grants
• California Community College (CCC) BOG Fee Waiver
• EOP/EOPS
• Some University scholarships
• Some private scholarships administered by campuses

Application deadline for all Dreamer Cal Grants and most of the other aid listed above is March 2.

Dreamer Cal Grants include

• High School Entitlement Cal Grant A & B
• CCC Transfer Entitlement Cal Grant A & B
• Cal Grant C

(Dreamers are not eligible to receive Competitive Cal Grants.)

A Dreamer Cal Grant application = CA Dream Act Application + Non-SSN GPA

You can submit your GPA the following ways

• Non-SSN - Best!
• SSN (with your DACA) – but you MUST make sure you include your DACA SSN on Question #8 of your CA Dream Act Application (may slow down processing of your application)

You must meet the application deadline and all applicable eligibility requirements to qualify for any financial aid listed above.

Get help on your application at a Cash for College workshop in your area.

For other financial aid and resources for Dreamers visit: e4fc.org, maldef.org

More about Cal Grant

Cal Grants For Dreamers

The application deadline for all Dreamer Cal Grants is March 2.

High School Entitlement Cal Grant A & B

• Meet AB 540 requirements
• Graduate high school or equivalent (GED, CHSPE) after July 1, 2013
• Submit a high school GPA

CCC Transfer Entitlement Cal Grant A & B

• Meet AB 540 requirements
• Under 28 by Dec 31st of the award year
• Attend a community college in the academic year immediately before the award year
• Submit a community college GPA of 24+ units (2.40 or higher)
• Include a 4-year college on your Dream App

Cal Grant C

• Meet AB 540 requirements
• Enroll in an occupational or technical program
• Indicate an occupational or technical program on Q#30 of your Dream App

Dreamers are not eligible to receive Competitive Cal Grant A & B awards.

A Dreamer Cal Grant application = CA Dream Act Application + Non-SSN GPA

You must meet the application deadline and all applicable eligibility requirements to qualify for any Cal Grants listed above.

If you are not eligible for a Dreamer Cal Grant, visit the financial aid office at your campus to find out what other aid is available.