The California Dream Act is a state-based financial aid program comprising two California laws (AB 130 and AB 131) that allow AB 540 eligible undocumented (DACA and non-DACA), Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and U visa students to apply for:

• state-funded grants (e.g., California College Promise Grant and Cal Grants)
• state programs (e.g., EOPS)
• certain scholarships
• financial aid fee deferments

Students do not need to be DACA recipients to apply for the California Dream Act. DACA is a federal program and has no bearing on it. Use this guide from the Immigrants Rising website to learn the difference between them and who is eligible for each.

Note: DACA recipients should be filling out the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) if they are eligible, not the FAFSA.

How to Apply

The priority filing deadline for CADAA is from October 1 to March 2. Students can apply by visiting California Student Aid Commission CA Dram Act website to ensure they are considered for all state-based financial aid.

Students can sign up to attend an application assistance workshop hosted by the college's financial aid department. More Cash for College workshop dates are also offered through the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC).

Important: DACA recipients who establish California residency do not need to submit the AB 540 affidavit but must meet the AB 540 requirements to receive their financial aid award.

Is it Safe to Apply for the California Dream Act?

CSAC released a joint statement with the California Department of Education stating the information students provide them is not shared with the federal government or used for immigration enforcement purposes and will be protected to the fullest extent of the law.