California Dream Act

The California Dream Act of 2011 was enacted with the passage of AB130 and AB131. These laws allow AB540/AB2000/SB68 eligible students to apply for and receive several types of financial aid, including:

California College Promise Grant.
Cal Grants, in addition, to assistance from EOPS/CARE or CalWORKs.
Privately-funded scholarships.

Who is Eligible for AB540?

Attended three or more years of attendance in California Elementary or Secondary school or combination there of;
Attended three or more years at a California high school;
Attended three or more at a California Adult School with a
minimum of 420 hours of attendance per school year;
A combination of these schools with a total of 3 or more years of attendance;
Graduated from a California high school or;
Received a GED or passed the California High School Proficiency Exam;
Are registered or enrolled at a California community college and;
If required, complete an affidavit saying you have filed (or will file when you are eligible to do so) for legal immigration status;

Financial Aid for Undocumented Students

Step 1: Determine if you are AB540 Eligible;
You must complete a California Nonresident Tuition Exemption Request Form;
Submit this form to the Admissions & Records Office to determine if you are AB 540 eligible;
Step 2: Submit a Dream Act Application;
Complete the California Dream Application between October 1st and March 2nd of each academic year for Cal Grant consideration;
If you have missed this deadline complete a California Dream Application to be considered for the California College Promise Grant.

Dreamer Service Incentive Grant

The California Dream Act Service Incentive Grant (DSIG) Program encourages California Dream Act Applicant (CADAA) students with a Cal Grant A award that met Cal Grant B eligibility or a Cal Grant B award to perform community or volunteer service.
The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) will award up to $4,500 per academic year (up to $2,250 per semester or up to $1,500 per quarter) to 1,667 eligible students.
Visit the California Student Aid Commission website for additional information on how to apply.

Cal Grant Information

Must submit a California Dream Act Online Application by March 2nd.
High School Seniors: Submit a NON-SSN Cal Grant GPA Verification Form.
Continuing Mission College students, your GPA is sent electronically to the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC.)

California Dream Act FAQs

Additional Resources

For information on how to support undocumented students in their pursuit of college, career and citizenship, please visit Educators for Fair Consideration (E4FC) at http://www.e4fc.org.

If you have already submitted a CA Dream Act Application and have questions, please contact:
California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) at: [email protected] or (888)224-7268