California Dream Act of 2011

The California Dream Act allows students who meet AB540 criteria to apply for and receive certain state and institutional financial assistance programs.

What are the AB540 requirements?

The student must have attended a high school (public or private) in California for three or more years AND
The student must have graduated form a California high school or attained the equivalent prior to the start of the term (for example: passed the GED or California High School Proficiency exam) AND
A student who is without lawful immigration status must file an AB540 Affidavit (California Non-Resident Tuition Exemption Request form) with the college stating that he or she has filed an application to legalize his or her immigration status, or will file an application as soon as he or she is eligible to do so.

For additional information to determine if you meet the AB540 requirements, contact the Admissions & Records Office. See below for Dream Act Application instructions.

To view Dream Act "Frequently Asked Questions" CLICK HERE.

To view the Spanish-language Dream Act "Frequently Asked Questions" CLICK HERE.

What assistance is available to AB540 students?

AB130 (Scholarships)
AB130 allows students who meet AB 540 criteria (California Education Code 68130.5(a)) to apply for and receive non-state funded scholarships for public colleges and universities. (This law took effect on January 1, 2012.)

AB131 (Grants)

AB 131 allows students who meet AB 540 criteria to apply for and receive state-funded financial aid such as institutional grants, community college fee waivers, Cal Grants, and Chafee Grants. (This law took effect on January 1, 2013.)

How do I apply?

Go to the 2012-13 California Dream Act Application: http://www.csac.ca.gov/dream_act.asp

The Dream Act Application link found here will allow students to apply for both the FAFSA and the Dream Act.

CLICK HERE for the 2013-14 Dream Act Application Worksheet

To apply for the programs available under AB131, you will need to complete the Special Application for AB540 Students Under the California Dream Act. CLICK HERE for that application.

The Dream Act Application will collect basic personal and income information to determine student eligibility for funding under AB131. While the application and processing began in April 2012, eligible Dream Act applicants will not begin to receive their funding until after January 1, 2013 (the date on which the law became effective).

IMPORTANT! Students will need to complete the Dream Act Application every year to determine eligibility for state and institutional aid.

For additional information visit the California Student Aid Commision's webpage on the California Dream Act. This website contains Frequently Asked Questions, Dream Act Myths, Application Tutorials, and Univision Video Interviews about the California Dream Act.