Undocumented Student Center

Special CCCApply Instructions

• A social security number is NOT NEEDED TO APPLY. If you have a DACA social security number or you have an ITIN, you may report it.
• If you don't have a current valid immigration status, select "Other" and "No documents" on the Citizenship/Military section of the application.
• If applying for fall or summer before high school graduation, select a date when you will be graduating and respond "yes" to "Did you receive your High School diploma, GED, or certificate in California” question on the Education section of the application.

Step 1a: Create a Calfornia Dream Act account and apply. The CADAA opens Oct. 1 and must be completed by March 2 to qualify for California aid.

If you do not apply by March 2: 

• You may not be eligible for a Cal Grant
• Universities of California (UCs) and California State Universities (CSUs) require that you submit the application by March 2 in order for eligible students to receive state financial aid during the academic year they plan to attend at that university. 

There is an additional deadline of Sept. 2 for students completing the CADAA who are attending a California Community College.

Step 1b: Students assigned male at birth between the ages of 18 and 25, must register for the Selective Service as a requirement to apply for CADAA. View/download Selective Service and the California Dream Act to learn where and how to complete the Selective Services Registration Form. 

Step 2: Review your CADAA confirmation email and create a Web Grant Account.

Additional Resources 

• Download the Sierra College Financial Aid California Dream Act Application Checklist. It includes a list of the documents you need to apply, step-by-step instructions on how to apply, and the financial aid you're potentially eligible to receive.
  
  
• Watch a video on how to complete the 2021-2022 CADAA with step-by-step instructions

Submit the Affidavit for CA Community Colleges Petition with a copy of your official high school transcript to the Admissions and Records Office at Sierra College.

Use the Admissions and Records Directory to locate your specific Admissions and Records Technician based on the first letter of your last name and submit your affidavit to them. For general questions, contact enrollmentservices@sierracollege.edu.

California State Residency Reclassification Application

If you identify as a DACA recipient or your application for Permanent Residency has been accepted by USCIS, you can potentially be reclassified as a CA Resident. Please read the California State Residency Requirements for Community Colleges. If you meet the qualifying criteria, gather all documents requested and submit the Residency Reclassification application.

Qualifying criteria includes:

• You currently hold an immigration status (like DACA) that is eligible to establish California Residency and you have had (or applied for) that status at least 366 days prior to the start of the term. 
   
• You have been physically present in California with the intent to make California your home for other than a temporary purpose at least 366 days prior to the start of the term. 

If you have questions regarding eligibility, please contact JD Murillo, our AB 540 liaison in Admissions and Records, at jmurillo2@sierracollege.edu.

Items to Note

• Once you are ready to transfer to a private school, CSU or UC, you will need to submit a new Affidavit to that University. Download the CSU or UC affidavits here.
  
  
• If you do not attend Sierra College for one semester or more, you will need to resubmit your Affidavit to Sierra College Admissions and Records office.

We know that transitioning to college can be challenging. That’s why we require every new student to attend an online Career and Academic Planning (CAP) Session to help set you up for success.

During the CAP Session you will:

• Identify your Interest Area/program of study
• Receive tools and resources to help you consider your career choices so your educational and career goals will be easier to determine
• Complete activities to prepare you for your first appointment with your counselor so you can begin creating your personalized MAP (My Academic Plan)

How to Start Your CAP Session

Login to your online Career and Academic Planning Session in Canvas. Then click on "CAP: Career and Academic Planning" on the Canvas Dashboard to start. 

• NOTE: Before you start your CAP session, you must accept your Terms and Conditions in mySierra under "My Next Steps.
  
  
• If you'd like to view this session on your smartphone, download the Sierra College App and click the Canvas tile to get started.

Questions About CAP?
Contact our Counseling office.

After Your CAP Session

Be sure to schedule an appointment with a counselor to make sure you're on the right track to meet your academic and career goals.

You’ll receive an email in mySierra around your time to register that will include FAQs, articles and short how-to videos about registration, how to add/drop classes, join a waitlist, withdraw from classes and more. If you'd like to learn about that process early, visit Ready4Reg.

• View class schedule. Find the class times and locations that work for you using our Class Schedule.
  
  
• Register for classes. Sign up for classes on or after your registration time in mySierra.
  
  
• Pay for classes. Your tuition is due when you register for classes. Learn more about our payment options.

What is the California Dream Act? 

The California Dream Act is a series of two bills, AB130 and AB131, that allow AB540/SB 68/AB2000 eligible undocumented students in California to apply for in-state financial aid. AB130 allows AB540/SB68/AB2000 students to apply for scholarships at California public colleges and universities that are funded from non-state sources, and AB 131 allows for AB540/SB68/AB2000 students to apply for in-state financial aid for public universities and colleges. 

In order to apply for financial aid through the California Dream Act, you must qualify as an AB540/SB68/AB2000 student by meeting the requirements listed in the Quick Guide to SB68: Expansion of In-State Tuition Eligibility in California.

Watch: What is the California Dream Act? 

Items to Note

• Ineligible students can still attend California colleges as long as they meet the admissions criteria and are accepted by the college or university. They also must pay non-resident fees.
  
  
• The California Dream Act Application is unrelated to the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Learn more here: Understand the Differences: In-State Tuition vs. CA Dream Act vs. DACA

How do I apply to the CA Dream Act?

If you are an undocumented student and you meet AB 540/ SB 68 eligibility, you can apply for state financial aid.

Apply for CA Dream Act

How to apply for the CA Dream Act (video)

Undocu Talk: 2021-2022 California Dream Act Application Workshop (video)

What is the deadline to apply to the California Dream Act Application?

• The application opens October 1 and the free California Dream Act Application (CADAA) must be submitted by March 2 to qualify for California aid. 
  
  
• There is an additional deadline of September 2 for students completing the CA Dream Act that are attending a community college.

Items to Note

You can still apply after March 2, but you’ll lose Cal Grant eligibility and Universities of California (UCs) and California State Universities (CSUs) require that you submit the application by March 2 in order to receive state financial aid during the academic year that you plan to attend at that university.

Is it safe to share my personal information when completing the California Dream Act and enrolling at Sierra College?

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. Any information provided by the student to Sierra College is protected under FERPA.

What is Selective Service? 

Students assigned male at birth between the ages of 18 and 25, must register for the Selective Service as a requirement to apply for CADAA. View/download Selective Service and the California Dream Act to learn where and how to complete the Selective Service Registration Form. 

Financial Aid Specialists can assist you with applying to Selective Service.

What is the California Non-Resident Tuition Petition (also known as the “Affidavit”)?

In order to apply for financial aid through the California Dream Act, you must qualify as an AB540/SB68/AB2000 student. 

To qualify for AB540/SB68/AB2000, you must meet the requirements listed in the Quick Guide to SB68: Expansion of In-State Tuition Eligibility in California.

Watch: What is AB540? 

How do I submit my California Non-Resident Tuition Form (also known as the “Affidavit”) petition?

Submit the Affidavit for CA Community Colleges Petition with a copy of your official high school transcript to the Admissions and Records Office at Sierra College.

• Once you are ready to transfer to a private school, CSU or UC, you will need to submit a new Affidavit to that University. Download the CSU or UC affidavits here.
  
  
• If you do not attend Sierra College for one semester or more, you will need to resubmit your Affidavit to Sierra College Admissions and Records office.

What if I do not qualify for AB540/SB68/AB2000?

If you are considered a non-resident for tuition purposes (if you don’t qualify for AB540/SB68/AB2000), you can still attend California colleges as long as you meet the admissions criteria and are accepted by the college or university. However, you will pay approximately three times more than a resident student as an international student.

Every students’ pathway to eligibility is unique, and we are here to help you figure that out.

Some students attend Adult School and take Noncredit Education courses offered at Sierra College, which are free of cost, to attain AB540/SB68/AB2000 eligibility. 

For more information, check out these resources: Immigrants Rising In-State Tuition Overview, CA In-State Tuition Tool and contact the Undocumented Student Center at undocu@sierracollege.edu to learn about your options.

What is the difference between AB540/SB68/AB2000, the CA Dream Act, and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)?

If you have questions about your eligibility, check out this chart by Immigrants Rising that compares AB 540, AB 2000, the California Dream Act and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).

Please be aware that DACA does not give students eligibility for the FAFSA or any federal financial aid.

Every students’ pathway to eligibility is unique, and we're here to help you figure that out. 

	Paula Mota Enrollment Specialist in Outreach pmota@sierracollege.edu  Assists students with Sierra College/CCCApply application, enrollment and registration.
	Elvira Covarrubias-Martinez Enrollment Specialist in Outreach ecovarrubiasmartinez@sierracollege.edu  Assists students with Sierra College/CCCApply application, enrollment and registration.
	Brian Tolentino Financial Aid and Outreach Specialist btolentino@sierracollege.edu  Assists students with the California Dream Act Application (CADAA),  Selective Services Registration form and financial aid questions.
	Joseph Avila Financial Aid Specialist javila9@sierracollege.edu  Assists students with California Dream Act Application (CADAA), Selective Services Registration form and financial aid questions.
	Sonia Delgadillo Professor and Chair of the ESL Program sdelgadillo@sierracollege.edu  Assists students who want to learn more about the English as a Second Language program.
	Adriana Lopez Counselor and Puente Program Coordinator alopez43@sierracollege.edu  Assists students with Career and Academic Planning (CAP)/counseling, the Puente Program and the English as a Second Language Certificate.
	Gladys M. Puente Coordinator/Consultant Undocumented Student Center undocu@sierracollege.edu Assists with general questions about the Undocumented Student Center and resources.
	Karina Hernandez Michel Undocu Peer Leader undocu@sierracollege.edu Assists with general questions about the Undocumented Student Center and resources.