Savanna Hoffman
The California Dream Act allows certain students to apply for student financial aid and an exemption from paying non-resident tuition. The Act extends eligibility for UC and California financial aid to students, including undocumented students, who qualify for a non-resident tuition exemption under AB 540. Students with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status should submit a California Dream Act Application and Non-SSN GPA instead of a FAFSA. If you are an international student with Temporary Protected Status or a U Visa, you may be eligible for the California Dream Act.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Application purpose | To apply for state financial aid for eligible California Colleges, Universities and Career Education Programs |
| Applicant eligibility | Children brought to the US under the age of 16 without proper visas/immigration documentation |
| Tuition | Exempts applicants from paying non-resident tuition |
| Submission deadline | April 2, 2025 |
| Required documents | Prior year tax return or W-2, account statements for investment assets and bank statements, records of untaxed income |
| GPA submission | Required by March 2 |
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Application criteria
The California Dream Act Application (CADAA) is California's state financial aid application, which allows undocumented students to apply for and receive financial aid to cover tuition, rent, books, supplies, and other costs. The CADAA is operated by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC).
To be eligible for the CADAA, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be an undocumented student without DACA status or a Social Security Number (SSN).
- Meet the non-resident tuition exemption requirements, such as attending a California high school for at least three years or obtaining a General Education Development (GED) certificate.
- Do not hold a valid non-immigrant visa (F, J, H, L, A, B, C, D, E, etc.).
- If applicable, complete an affidavit to legalize immigration status as soon as eligible.
- Have Temporary Protected Status or hold a U Visa.
- For U visa holders, file a CA Dream Act Application; for T visa holders, file a FAFSA.
- Submit a certified GPA for Cal Grant consideration.
- Meet the application deadline of March 2 for Dreamer Cal Grants and most other types of aid.
It is important to note that the California Dream Act Application is unrelated to the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, and students should submit a CA Dream Act Application instead of a FAFSA to apply for state financial aid.
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Financial aid
The California Dream Act Application allows students interested in attending 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.
DACA is a federal process that defers removal action by USCIS for a specified number of years. It is important to note that DACA is not the same as financial aid, and undocumented/Dreamer students should still submit a CA Dream Act Application and Non-SSN GPA instead of a FAFSA.
California Nonresident Tuition Exemption, commonly known as AB 540, exempts certain students from paying non-resident tuition and allows them to apply for different types of California Dream Act financial aid. To be eligible, students must have attended high school in California for three or more years, earned credits equivalent to three or more years of full-time high school coursework, and attended California elementary and secondary schools for a total of three or more years.
If applicable, students should complete an affidavit to legalize their immigration status as soon as they are eligible. Those with Temporary Protected Status or holding a U Visa may be eligible for the California Dream Act. AB 1899 allows U and T visa holders to apply for state financial aid, with T visa holders filing a FAFSA and U visa holders filing a CA Dream Act Application.
The deadline for Dreamer Cal Grants and most other types of aid is March 2. To qualify for financial aid, students must meet the application deadline and all applicable eligibility requirements.
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Non-resident exemption
The California Dream Act Application enables students interested in attending eligible California colleges, universities, and career education programs to apply for state financial aid. This application is distinct from the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
The California Nonresident Tuition Exemption, also known as AB 540, exempts specific students from paying nonresident tuition, which is typically higher than resident tuition. This exemption also allows eligible students to apply for and receive state financial aid at select California public and private colleges.
To qualify for the California Nonresident Tuition Exemption, students must meet the following criteria:
- High School: Attend a California high school for three or more years, earning credits equivalent to three or more years of full-time high school coursework.
- Elementary and Secondary School: Attend a combination of California elementary, middle, and/or high schools for a total of three or more years.
- Graduation: Graduate or be on track to graduate from a California high school or obtain a Certificate of General Education Development (GED), High School Equivalency Test (HiSET), or similar.
- College Enrollment: Register or enroll in an accredited and qualifying California college or university.
- Immigration Status: Complete an AB 540 affidavit, committing to legalizing immigration status as soon as eligible.
- Non-immigrant Visa: Do not hold a valid non-immigrant visa (F, J, H, L, A, B, C, D, E, etc.), except for those with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or a U Visa, who may still be eligible.
It is important to note that eligibility for the California Dream Act Application does not guarantee exemption from nonresident tuition. Students should consult with their college's Admissions Office to verify their AB 540 eligibility and understand the specific requirements and procedures for applying for the California Dream Act Application and any associated financial aid.
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Required documents
The California Dream Act Application (CADAA) is California’s state financial aid application that allows undocumented students to receive financial aid. This application is unrelated to the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
To apply for the California Dream Act Application, you will need to submit the following documents:
- A completed affidavit to legalise immigration status.
- Proof of high school attendance in California for three or more years, or the equivalent in credits earned.
- Proof of a total of three or more years of attendance in California elementary schools, California secondary schools, or a combination of both.
- Proof of graduation or upcoming graduation from a California high school or the equivalent.
Additionally, if you have a DACA SSN, you must include it on question #8 of your application.
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Deadlines
The California Dream Act Application is for students interested in attending eligible California colleges, universities, and career education programs. It allows them to apply for state financial aid. The application deadline for all Dreamer Cal Grants and most other financial aid is March 2. Students applying for a Cal Grant are also required to submit a GPA verification form directly to the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) by March 3.
Undocumented/Dreamer students should submit a CA Dream Act Application and Non-SSN GPA instead of a FAFSA. If you have a DACA SSN, you must include it on question #8 of your CA Dream Act Application.
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.
To be eligible for the California Dream Act, you must 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. AB 1899 allows U and T visa holders to apply for state financial aid. T visa holders should file a FAFSA, while U visa holders should file a CA Dream Act Application.
Your college is responsible for verifying your AB 540 eligibility. Check with your Admissions Office early in the summer before the Fall Term starts.
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Frequently asked questions
The California Dream Act allows children who were brought into the US under the age of 16 without proper visas or immigration documentation to apply for financial aid for eligible California colleges, universities, and career education programs.
The requirements include having attended a California high school for three or more years, earning credits equivalent to three or more years of full-time high school coursework, and graduating or obtaining a certificate or GED from a California high school. Additionally, students must not hold a valid non-immigrant visa and should complete an affidavit to legalize their immigration status when eligible.
You can submit your application online or through a paper form. Along with the application, you may need to provide documents such as your prior year's tax return or W-2, account statements for investment assets, and records of untaxed income. The deadline for the 2025-2026 academic year is March 2, 2025.
DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) is a federal program that defers removal action for a specified period, whereas the California Dream Act is a state-level financial aid program. DACA students are still encouraged to apply for the California Dream Act and submit a Non-SSN GPA.
The California Dream Act provides financial assistance, including scholarships, state-administered financial aid, university grants, and loan programs with competitive interest rates. It also exempts eligible students from paying non-resident tuition, allowing them to pay in-state fees.
