The California Dream Act is the name for two Assembly Bills (AB 130 and AB 131) that were passed into law in 2011. These Assembly Bills allow AB 540/AB 2000 students to apply for and receive state based financial aid and institutional scholarships. AB 130 became effective in January 2012, while AB 131 became effective in January 2013.

AB 130

Allows eligible AB 540/AB 2000/SB 68 students to apply for & receive privately-funded scholarships at California public colleges and universities 

AB 131

Allows eligible AB 540/AB 2000/SB 68 students to apply for and receive institutional and state financial aid programs at California public colleges and universities

AB 131 allows eligible students to apply for financial aid through the California (CA) Dream Act Application.

The CA Dream Act Application is available to undocumented students (including DACA recipients), U-Visa holders, and TPS individuals. U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents, T-Visa holders, and eligible Non-Citizens must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The California Dream Act becomes available October 1st  of every year, and must be submitted for every year you plan to use financial aid. Please note that submitting the application prior to the March 2nd priority deadline will maximize the amount of financial aid you may be able to receive.

  1. Access the online
  2. First-time applicants must create a User ID and Password, while renewal applicants can retrieve a forgotten User ID and reset a forgotten Password
  3. Start an application for the correct academic year:
    • 2020-2021: Fall 2020, Spring 2021, and Summer 2021
  4. Provide the requested tax & income information from two years prior:
    • 2020-2021: 2018 tax & income information
  5. Add ȷ to your application using the School Code 00450200
  6. If you cannot answer “Yes” to any of the Dependency Questions, you must provide parent information
  7. Electronically sign your application
    • If you are considered Dependent, have your parent electronically sign by creating a for first-time signers, or retrieving a forgotten PIN for renewal signers
  8. Once you receive your CalSAR (California Student Aid Report), if you are selected for verification, login to your to view what financial aid documentation, if any, you need to provide
  9. Once available, login to your  to view your financial aid award
  10. View the Disbursement Information to learn more about when and how you will receive your financial aid award.

When submitting the California Dream Act, you may have questions on the process. Please see the following tips:

  • An SSN or ITIN is not required to submit a CA Dream Act. If you do not have an SSN or ITIN, leave that question blank. If parent information is required, but your parent does not have an SSN or ITIN, enter 000-00-000.
  • Under the Citizenship Status question on the CA Dream Act, if you are not a U.S. Citizen or an eligible non-citizen, such as a Permanent Resident, then answer "I am not a citizen or eligible noncitizen."
  • The information you report on the CA Dream Act is safe. The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) released a joint statement with the Department of Education confirming that the CA Dream Act is only used to determine financial aid information, and it will not be shared with the federal government or used for immigration enforcement purposes. Additionally, the information provided on the CA Dream Act will be protected to the fullest extent of the law. Please review the  for more information.

AB 540 and its amendments AB 2000 and SB 68, are California Bills passed in 2001, 2014, and 2017 respectively. These bills allowed for students who are considered out-of-state residents in a CA public college or university to be considered a resident for tuition and financial aid purposes. 

AB 540/AB 2000/SB 68 Eligibility Criteria

To qualify, a student must meet the following requirements:

  • Attend a California High School for three or more years; OR
  • Attend a California Elementary School, California Middle School, and/or California High School for a combination of three or more years and attained California High school credits equivalent to three or more years of full-time high school work; OR
  • Attend or attain credits at a California high school, California adult school, and/or California Community College for a combination of three or more years (only two years maximum of a California Community College can be used); 

    AND

  • Graduated from a California high school; OR
  • Received a GED or passed the California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE); OR
  • Completed or will complete an Associate’s Degree from a California Community College; OR
  • Completed or will complete the minimum transfer requirements at a California Community College for transfer into the CSU or UC system;

    AND

  • Are registered or enrolled at a California Community College or other California accredited institution of public higher education;

    AND

The law prevents public colleges and universities in California from discriminating against a student’s admissions based on a student’s immigration status. Therefore, students are not required to provide a Social Security Card for admission purposes. 

To support this, the California Nonresident Tuition Exemption Form is worded as to protect undocumented students from having to declare their immigration status. Undocumented students (including DACA recipients, permanent residents, and U.S. citizens) must all state they do not have current, nonimmigrant visa. 

Though AB 540/AB 2000/SB 68 establish residency for tuition and financial aid purposes, these laws do not establish legal residency in California. For additional questions, please contact the Residency Office. 

CA Dream Act applicants are only eligible for state and institutional financial aid programs. CA Dream applicants are not eligible for federal financial aid programs. Though CA Dream applicants may not be eligible for all the financial aid programs offered at ȷ, CA Dream applicants can still qualify for financial aid to cover enrollment fees and supplies. Additionally, undocumented students who do not qualify for the CA Dream Act can still look into scholarship opportunities.

  Undocumented & CA Resident or AB 540/AB 2000/SB 68 Undocumented & Out-of-State Resident U-Visa Holder
Pell Grant Not eligible Not eligible Not eligible
SEOG  Not eligible Not eligible Not eligible
FWS Not eligible Not eligible Not eligible
FDLs Not eligible Not eligible Not eligible
Cal Grant Eligible Not eligible Eligible
SSCG Eligible Not eligible Eligible
Chafee Grant Eligible Not eligible Eligible
CCPG Eligible Not eligible Eligible
Free City Grant Eligible Not eligible Eligible
Scholarships Eligible Eligible Eligible

 

The below external scholarship resources do not require proof of citizenship or residency status to qualify for the scholarships.

  • DREAMer's Roadmap Mobile App
  • Immigrants Rising
  • MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund)
    •  (Most do not inquire about Immigration Status)
  • My Undocumented Life