Statement Urging Congress and the President to Find a Permanent Resolution in Support of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
The California Dream Act Remains State Law, the Application Period Opens on October 1, 2017

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(SACRAMENTO, CA) – This statement is in response to today’s announcement by the federal government to terminate the 2012 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program in six months.

The California Student Aid Commission stands with students, our community, our state government leaders, and our educational institution partners to continue to uphold the provisions of the California Dream Act and preserve access to higher education and financial aid for all California students, regardless of their immigration status.

The Commission would like to further note that DACA status is unrelated to college admission or financial aid in California. According to Lupita Cortez Alcalá, executive director of the California Student Aid Commission, “California law provides state financial aid resources for Dreamers to attend college and earn a degree – an education enhances the value these students will be able return to their communities.” Alcalá continued, “The California Dream Act allows students to apply for state financial aid to attend eligible California colleges, universities and career education programs. The California Dream Act Application (CADAA) is unrelated to the federal DACA program, and we cannot emphasize enough that DACA status is not required to be eligible for financial aid or admission to college in California.”

California students continue to be eligible for all state and campus-based student financial aid as well as the Board of Governor’s Fee Waiver program available through community colleges.

“We will continue to do everything within our authority to protect student privacy and access to higher education. In California, we celebrate the strength of our diversity,” said Commission Chair Lande Ajose. She added, “We urge Congress to find a bipartisan, permanent resolution for DACA families. These students are an asset in our classrooms, universities, internships and workforce. Our state’s economic future depends on it.”