California Dream Act Application
If you have a valid Social Security Number, are a US Citizen and a resident of California, then you cannot complete the California Dream Act Application. Click here to access the FAFSA Web site.
Undocumented students who meet the criteria listed below should proceed to fill out the California Dream Act application by clicking here.
What is the California Dream Act?
The California Dream Act allows undocumented and nonresident documented students who meet AB 540 requirements to apply for and receive several types of financial aid including:
- Board of Governors Fee Waivers to waive enrollment fees (http://www.losrios.edu/lrc/bog_steps.php)
- Cal Grant (http://www.csac.ca.gov/doc.asp?id=48) Note: Dream Act Application and GPA Verification must be submitted by March 2
- Chafee Grants (https://www.chafee.csac.ca.gov/)
- Assistance from EOPS (http://www.arc.losrios.edu/Support_Services/EOPS.htm)
- Assistance from CARE or CalWORKs (http://www.arc.losrios.edu/Support_Services/CalWORKs.htm)
- Scholarships funded through public colleges and universities (http://www.arc.losrios.edu/Support_Services/Scholarships.htm)
Who is the Dream Application for?
The California Dream Act Application is for STUDENTS WHO MEET THE QUALIFICATIONS OF AB 540.
What is AB 540, and how do I obtain AB 540 status?
- AB 540 students may include undocumented students, students who are US citizens but who are not CA residents, and dependent students whose parents are not CA residents. AB 540 students are those who:
- Have attended a CA high school for at least three years or graduated early from a CA high school with the equivalent of three or more years of credit*, AND
- Graduated from a CA high school*, or passed the California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE), or obtained a Certificate of General Education Development (GED), AND
- Enrolled in an accredited and qualifying CA college or university, AND
- If applicable, complete(d) an affidavit to legalize immigration status as soon as you are eligible http://www.arc.losrios.edu/Documents/Admissions_Records/AB540.pdf
*If you graduated early from high school under this provision, you must also have attended CA schools (elementary and secondary) for a cumulative total of three or more years.
How do I apply for financial aid under the California Dream Act?
The CA Dream Act Application is used by undocumented students who meet the eligibility requirements of AB 540. The application can be found at www.caldreamact.org. The California Student Aid Commission processes the application and any aid received can only be used at eligible California public or private institutions.
For more information regarding California Dream Act
Contact the California Student Aid Commission at 1-888-224-7268
http://www.csac.ca.gov/pubs/forms/grnt_frm/cal_grant_dream_act_faqs.pdf
Webgrants for Students https://mygrantinfo.csac.ca.gov/
Other Links
Educators for Fair Consideration (E4FC) http://www.e4fc.org/
10 things you need to know about the California Dream Act
Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) http://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/consideration-deferred-action-childhood-arrivals-daca