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.