The California Dream Act Application (CADAA) is available for undocumented students who are applying, re-entering or already enrolled in a California college or university. Students are encouraged to complete an application before the March 2^nd, 2023 priority deadline.

The California Dream Act allows eligible undocumented students to apply for and receive state-based financial aid, institutional scholarships, and to pay in-state tuition. It also gives students an opportunity to apply for the California Dream Act Service Incentive Grant Program (DSIG) to perform community or volunteer service and be awarded up to $4,500 per academic year.
 

California Dream Act Application
 

Who can apply for the California Dream Act?

Undocumented Students, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, and U-Visa holders must meet the eligibility criteria under Assembly Bill 540 to apply for and receive California state financial aid. The California Dream Act allows students to receive state and institutional grants if they meet income guidelines, apply by the priority deadlines and complete all necessary paperwork on-time. This application is unrelated to the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

For families/students who are concerned about their immigration status, Assembly Bill 540 (AB 540) was passed in 2001 to ensure that undocumented students would not have to pay out-of-state tuition fees based on their status. Students are eligible for the AB 540 exemption if they meet ALL of the following requirements:

• Attend a California high school for 3 or more years;
• Graduate from a California high school or receive the equivalent, such as a GED;
• Submit the AB540 nonresident tuition exemption request form (attached) and sign the confidential affidavit included with the form stating that you will apply for legal residency as soon as possible. In this affidavit, students declare that they meet all AB 540 requirements and if they are undocumented, that they have filed an application to adjust their immigration status or will do so as soon as they are eligible to do so.