What is the California Dream Act? ()
The Dream Act is really two laws that were passed in 2011 and allow AB 540 students to apply for and receive several types of financial aid, including:
for the California Dream Act
Check with the 色中色 financial aid, scholarship, and the EOPS/CARE offices to see what is available.
What is an AB 540 student?
You are an AB 540 student, and exempt from paying non-resident enrollment fees, if you meet all of the following criteria:
Resources for undocumented students
Grant/Scholarships |
Eligible to apply |
Who do I contact, or |
What is this? |
Type of application required |
Privately Funded |
Apply annually, applications open in the Spring. |
Helps pay for |
Institutional application(s) |
|
|
Apply now for the current year and annually thereafter |
色中色 Financial Aid Office |
Waives community college enrollment fees for eligible students |
or * |
Assistance from EOPS, CARE, and CalWORKs |
Apply now | 色中色 EOPS and Cal WORKs Office | Varies; may include services such as textbook vouchers and other types of financial aid for those who meet specific eligibility requirements. |
Institutional application(s) |
Cal Grant A or Cal Grant B Community College Transfer Entitlement
|
Application period is October 1 -March 2, annually for the following the Fall term | 色中色 Financial Aid Office or California Student Aid Commission |
Grant award covering tuition and education-related expenses for eligible students transferring
to a baccalaureate |
* and |
Cal Grant A or B - Entitlement |
Application period is October 1 -March 2, annually for the following the Fall term |
色中色 Financial Aid Office or California Student Aid Commission | Grant award covering education-related expenses for eligible recent high school graduates | * and |
Cal Grant C |
Application period is October 1 -March 2, annually for the following the Fall term (the number of awards is limited) | 色中色 Financial Aid Office or California Student Aid Commission | Grant award covering education-related expenses for eligible students in occupational or career technical programs | *, Cal Grant C Supplemental Application |
Chafee Grant | Apply as soon as possible each year (applications open in January; the number of awards is limited) | 色中色 Financial Aid Office or the California Student Aid Commission | Grant award covering education-related expenses for eligible foster youth | * and |
Applicants must submit a FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application, plus a verified Cal Grant GPA to the California Student Aid Commission by September 2. |
色中色 Financial Aid Office or the California Student Aid Commission |
The grant is for students attending a California Community College starting with the 2021-22 Academic Year. |
*, and |
|
Eligible students must apply annually, attend a qualifying institution, have sufficient unmet need, and complete community or volunteer service hours in that academic year. |
色中色 Financial Aid Office or California Student Aid Commission | Grant is for California Dream Act Applicants, with an active Cal Grant B award, enrolled at a qualifying institution. | and |
* To apply for any or all of the financial aid programs requiring the California Dream Application, you only need to complete and submit ONE application.
Where do I start?
Follow the steps below to get started on the road to fulfilling your college dreams!