The California Dream Act: What You Need to Know for 2016-17 School Year
The California Dream Act provides undocumented students access to state-funded financial aid. There are two types of financial aid available through the California Dream Act: institutional and state based. Institutional refers to financial aid that is provided by educational institutions, such as universities and community colleges and does not come from state funds. State based refers to financial aid that comes from state funds, for example grants like the Cal Grant and scholarships like the Middle Class Scholarship.
The California Dream Act consists of two bills, Assembly Bill 130 (AB 130) and Assembly Bill 131 (AB 131). AB 130 allows undocumented students who meet eligibility requirements to apply for and receive non-state funded scholarships for public colleges and universities. AB 131 expands eligibility to undocumented students who meet eligibility requirements who are currently ineligible for federal financial aid by allowing them access to state-funded financial aid, including Cal Grants, institutional grants and fee waivers.
For more information regarding AB 130 and AB 131 please visit our website www.caldreamact.org or call us at 916-574-7919.
Below is a chart that will help undocumented students in California better understand what type of financial aid they may be eligible for with the passing
The California Dream Act: What You Need to Know for 2016-17 School Year
The California Dream Act is an immigrant initiative that allows some undocumented students to receive financial aid for college. This includes students who were brought into the United States as children and have attended at least three years of high school in this country. Since 2013, it has enabled certain undocumented students to receive state-based financial aid and private funds through universities in California.
On January 1, 2015, Governor Jerry Brown signed Assembly Bill (AB) 131 into law, which continues the California Dream Act’s progress in allowing undocumented students to apply for state financial aid (Cal Grants) and institutional grants as early as their senior year of high school.
But what exactly is the California Dream Act? How do you know if you qualify? And how do you apply?
In this article we’ll cover:
1. What the California Dream Act is
2. Who qualifies for the California Dream Act
3. How the California Dream Act works
4. The benefits of the California Dream Act
5. Frequently asked questions about the California Dream Act
The California Dream Act application for the 2016-17 school year is now available. Because of the recent change in federal regulations, if you are eligible to complete a California Dream Act application, you are not required to complete a FAFSA.
You can find more information on the California Dream Act Application and financial aid on our Dream Center website. You can also find information about what’s happening at UCLA for undocumented students by following the Facebook page for Undocumented Students Programs & Services. We will post information about scholarship opportunities and other updates as they become available.
As you prepare your application please remember that although you are not required to submit a FAFSA, there are still sections that require you to answer questions which may seem repetitive. It is important that you respond to all questions accurately and completely.
If you have previously submitted a California Dream Act application and have any questions regarding your eligibility or the status of your application please call our office at 310-206-0400 or email us at dreamcenter@saonet.ucla.edu .
We hope that this site has been helpful to you!
The California Dream Act application for the 2016-17 school year has been available since January 1, 2016 and will remain open until March 2, 2017. The California Dream Act allows undocumented students a chance to receive state aid. To be eligible for the California Dream Act students must meet the following criteria:
Students must be in an F1, F2, J1, J2 or G series visa status as defined by the USCIS; or
Have attended a California high school for at least three years and graduated from a CA high school or received a GED or passed the CA High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE).
Been registered as entering or continuing student at an accredited CA university, college, community college or trade school;
Be under age 19 and have completed less than one year of CA post-secondary education. Students that do not meet these requirements can still apply by completing a non-resident supplemental form. The non-resident supplemental form is processed through the financial aid office of your institution and will require additional documentation. If you are unsure if you qualify for California Dream Act please speak to your Financial Aid Office about what is required to apply.
The California Dream Act consists of two separate applications: Entitlement Us Citizenship and Immigration Services (US
This is a blog about the California Dream Act. It provides general information about the California Dream Act and the application process, and is intended for informational purposes only. While we endeavor to provide accurate information, errors can and do occur. The information provided on this site is not legal advice and should not be construed as such.
California Dream Act Application (CADAA): The California Dream Act Application allows undocumented and nonresident documented students who meet AB540 criteria to apply for state financial aid. Nonresident applicants must complete the CADAA to determine their eligibility for certain types of institutional financial aid administered by UCSB. Students will be notified of their eligibility via email following completion of the application.
For more information, please visit: https://dream.csac.ca.gov/
Dreamer Checklist:
The California Dream Act is an extension of the federal Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act and was signed into law in 2011, to provide undocumented students access to financial aid.
It was divided into two parts: AB 130 and AB 131, which were signed into law in 2011 by Gov. Jerry Brown.
AB 130 allows students who are undocumented and meet certain criteria to apply for and receive private scholarships funded through non-state sources, such as private or community scholarships, or university funds. Students who qualify for AB 130 do not need a social security number.
AB 131 allows students who are undocumented and meet certain criteria to apply for and receive state-funded financial aid such as Board of Governors Fee Waiver (BOGW), Cal Grants A & B and Chafee Grants. Students who qualify for AB 131 must have a valid Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) or social security number.
In 2014, the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) released data on the state’s undocumented student population, reporting that more than 13,000 students had completed their Dream Act applications that year and were eligible to receive nearly $30 million in Cal Grant A & B awards.
The California Dream Act (AB 130 and AB 131) allows undocumented students who meet certain requirements access to state financial aid and private scholarships administered by public colleges and universities. The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) administers the state financial aid programs. CSAC also provides information on applying for federal student aid. Eligibility requirements are described below. Be sure to review the CA Dream Act Quick Reference Guide to help you determine your eligibility.
Who is considered an “undocumented” student?
There are two types of undocumented students:
Students who came to the U.S. as children but do not have lawful immigration status (e.g., Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals [DACA] recipients, those without lawful immigration status, etc.).
Students who have temporary lawful status, such as Temporary Protected Status (TPS), Deferred Enforced Departure (DED), Deferred Action (DA), or parole status.
What are the eligibility requirements for AB 130?
If you meet all of the following requirements, you may be eligible for AB 130 benefits:
You graduated from a California high school or attained a GED/high school equivalency certificate; AND,
You entered the U.S. before reaching your 16th birthday
