California Dream Act: International Students' Guide To Application

The California Dream Act allows undocumented and non-resident students to apply for certain types of financial aid, including private scholarships, state-administered financial aid, and university grants. Students eligible for the Act can receive a non-resident tuition exemption and pay the in-state tuition rate at California community colleges and universities. To be eligible for the Act, students must have attended high school in California for at least three years and have earned the equivalent of three years of full-time coursework. They must also be in the process of legalizing their immigration status. Students with DACA status are not eligible for the California Dream Act but can seek employment to cover their educational costs.

California Dream Act Application (CADAA)

The California Dream Act (CADAA) extends eligibility for certain types of financial aid to students, including undocumented students, who qualify for a nonresident tuition exemption under AB 540. The Act allows students interested in attending eligible California colleges, universities, and career education programs to apply for state financial aid.

Who is eligible for CADAA?

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 apply for state financial aid. T visa holders should file a FAFSA, while U visa holders should file a CA Dream Act Application.

• High school attendance in California for three or more years.
• Credits earned in California from a California high school equivalent to three or more years of full-time high school coursework.
• A total of three or more years of attendance in California elementary schools, California secondary schools, or a combination of both.
• 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.

• Submit your application for admission to UC. When you fill out the application for undergraduate admission, you're automatically considered for a number of UC scholarships.
• Make sure your GPA has been submitted for a Cal Grant (in addition to the California Dream Act Application).
• Once you've been accepted to a UC campus, submit a Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) at your intended campus.
• After the campus receives your SIR, submit a Statement of Legal Residence (SLR) to the campus residence deputy.
• If you then receive a nonresident classification, complete the AB 540 nonresident tuition exemption forms, which you can get at your campus registrar’s office.

Financial aid and tuition fees

The California Dream Act extends eligibility for certain types of UC and California financial aid to students, including undocumented students, who qualify for a nonresident tuition exemption under AB 540. Non-resident US citizens and eligible non-citizens (AB 540 eligible) may be eligible for state and UC aid, as well as private scholarships. However, undocumented students are ineligible for federal aid, including federal loans and grants and the federal work-study program. They do, however, have the option to borrow student loans through the DREAM Loan Program.

If you are a non-resident US citizen or eligible non-citizen, and you meet the requirements for an AB 540 nonresident tuition exemption, you may qualify for state aid in addition to federal and UC aid. In this case, you should file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If you have DACA status, you should not fill out a FAFSA, even if you have a Social Security number.

To meet the AB540 criteria, you must meet the following requirements:

• You must have attended a minimum of 3 years of school (public or private) in California.
• You must have graduated from a California High School or attained the equivalent before the start of the term (i.e. passed the GED or California High School Proficiency exam).
• You must file an AB50 Affidavit with the Admissions Office.
• You must provide Social Security and Driver's License Numbers for yourself and your parent(s)/guardian(s) (if you/they have one). If you are an independent student, no parental information is necessary.

If you are unsure whether you qualify for an AB 540 nonresident tuition exemption, you can visit UC’s undocumented student resource site for more information.

Immigration status and legal services

International students in California who are seeking immigration legal services have several options available to them. The University of Southern California (USC) Gould School of Law offers an Immigrant Legal Assistance Center that provides assistance with renewal applications. USC will pay the renewal filing fee for current students. Additionally, international students can seek help from the Office of International Services or Faculty/Staff Visa Services.

Another resource is the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), which has been providing immigration legal services for over three decades. CHIRLA has on-campus locations at colleges across California, serving students, faculty, and staff to ensure their rights and protections. Their team includes immigration attorneys and Department of Justice representatives who offer culturally competent and reliable expertise.

For those with DACA status, it is important to note that you are eligible for legal employment, which can help cover educational costs. However, you should not fill out a FAFSA form, even if you have a Social Security number. Instead, you should fill out the California Dream Act application and explore the UC undocumented student resource site for additional support during your transition to UC.

Undocumented students may be eligible for state and UC aid, as well as private scholarships, but they are generally ineligible for federal aid. To be considered for financial aid, submit your undergraduate admission application to UC, which will automatically consider you for several UC scholarships. After acceptance to a UC campus, submit a Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) and then a Statement of Legal Residence (SLR) to the campus residence deputy. If you receive a nonresident classification, complete the AB 540 nonresident tuition exemption forms, which can make you eligible for state aid and UC aid.

Application process and requirements

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.

To apply for the California Dream Act, you must meet the following requirements:

• Have attended a California high school for three or more years
• Have earned credits in California from a California high school equivalent to three or more years of full-time high school coursework
• Have attended a California elementary or secondary school for a total of three or more years
• Have 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
• 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 apply for state financial aid.

• Submit your application for admission to a University of California (UC) campus. When you fill out the application for undergraduate admission, you're automatically considered for a number of UC scholarships.
• Make sure your GPA has been submitted for a Cal Grant (in addition to the California Dream Act Application). California community colleges and most California high schools automatically submit students' GPAs for Cal Grants. Check with your school to make sure. If they don't automatically submit your GPA, download the Cal Grant GPA Verification Form and have your school submit it to the California Student Aid Commission.
• Once you've been accepted to a UC campus, submit a Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) at your intended campus.
• After the campus receives your SIR, submit a Statement of Legal Residence (SLR) to the campus residence deputy.
• If you receive a nonresident classification, complete the AB 540 nonresident tuition exemption forms, which you can obtain from your campus registrar’s office.

Eligibility for grants and scholarships

The California Dream Act extends eligibility for certain types of financial aid to students, including undocumented students, who qualify for a nonresident tuition exemption under AB 540. Undocumented students are not eligible for federal aid, including federal loans and grants, and the federal work-study program. However, they now have the option to borrow student loans through the DREAM Loan Program.

If you think you meet the requirements for an AB 540 nonresident tuition exemption, you can be considered for financial aid by submitting your application for admission to UC. When you fill out the application for undergraduate admission, you're automatically considered for a number of UC scholarships. If you have DACA status, you should not fill out a FAFSA, but you should fill out the Cal Dream Act application. If you are a citizen or eligible non-citizen, and meet the requirements for an AB 540 nonresident tuition exemption, you may qualify for state aid, in addition to federal and UC aid.

To meet the AB540 criteria, you must meet the following:

• You must have attended a minimum of 3 years of school (public or private) in California.
• You must have graduated from a California High School or attained the equivalent prior to the start of the term (i.e. passed the GED or California High School Proficiency exam).
• You must file an AB540 Affidavit with the Admissions Office.
• You must provide Social Security and Driver’s License Numbers for you and your parent(s)/guardian(s) (if you/they have one). If you are considered an independent student, no parental information is necessary.

Additionally, make sure your GPA has been submitted for a Cal Grant (in addition to the California Dream Act Application). California community colleges and most California high schools automatically submit students' GPAs for Cal Grants. Check with your school to make sure; if they don't automatically submit your GPA, download the Cal Grant GPA Verification Form and have your school submit it to the California Student Aid Commission.

Frequently asked questions