California Community College Students Legal Advisory 2019-03
CA Dream Act Applications:
The 2021-2022 CA Dream Act Application is available starting October 2020. The 2021-2022 CA Dream Act Application will determine your eligibility for the California College Promise Grant - CCPG (formerly known as the BOG Fee Waiver), Cal Grant, Chafee Grant, and the new SSCG Grant beginning Fall 2021.
The 2022-2023 CA Dream Act Application is available starting October 2021. The 2022-2023 CA Dream Act Application will determine your eligibility for the California College Promise Grant - CCPG (formerly known as the BOG Fee Waiver), Cal Grant, Chafee Grant, and the new SSCG Grant beginning Fall 2023.
Please follow the link for assistance with common issues on the CA Dream Act Application: Dream Act FAQs
AB540 Determination & Requirements
Saddleback College requires all residency determination to be processed through Saddleback College Office of Admissions and Records. Complete and submit the affidavit and any other required documentation to the Admissions and Records Office.
AB540 Eligibility Criteria
- The student must have attended a high school (public or private) in California for three or more years
AND
- The student must have graduated from 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 or university 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.
California Dream Act
The California Dream Act allows undocumented and nonresident students (U.S. Citizens and eligible non-citizens) who qualify for a non-resident exemption under Assembly Bill 540 (AB 540) to receive certain types of financial aid such as: private scholarships funded through public universities, state administered financial aid, university grants, community college fee waivers, and Cal Grants. In addition, the California Dream Act, allows eligible students to pay in-state tuition at any public college in California.
About the California Dream Act
- Information within the California Dream Act Application is not shared with federal databases. Student and parent information is protected by the same privacy and information security laws and safeguards as with all other state financial aid applicants.
- Students need to meet the following California nonresident tuition exemption (commonly known as AB 540)
- Apply at www.caldreamact.org, to qualify for:
- California College Promise Grant, (formally BOG fee waiver).
- A Cal Grant (Apply by March 2).
- Chafee Grants for foster youth. Find out more at www.csac.ca.gov.
- California students who have applied for or received approval for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) should complete the California Dream Act Application, NOT the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- Learn more about DACA at www.uscis.gov, www.immigrantsrising.org, or www.weownthedream.org.
- Cal Grants are free money for college that do not have to be paid back. You must complete your CA Dream Act Application, and you must submit a school-verified GPA by March 2.
- If you are a male between the ages of 18 and 25, in most cases you are required to register with the Selective Service System (SSS) and show proof of registration to your college/university before receiving state financial aid. The SSS does not share your immigration status.
- You do not need to have a Social Security Number (SSN) to register for Selective Service. If you do not have an SSN, or have been issued an SSN through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, you can register for Selective Service by completing a paper “Selective Service Registration” form, which can be picked up at any U.S. Post Office or can be downloaded for print here: https://www.sss.gov/Portals/0/PDFs/regform_copyINT_1.pdf
California Dream Act Service Incentive Grant(DSIG) Program
The California DSIG encourages California Dream Act Application students with a Cal Grant B award to perform community or volunteer service. For more information visit: http://www.csac.ca.gov/dsig
CA Dream Act Informational Resources:
Dreamer Relief Funds - Priority Deadline 12/4/20
Immigrant Legal Resouce Center
Relief Funds for Undocumented Workers
Saddleback College Resource Page
Quick Guide to College Access for Undocumented Students in CA
California Dream Act Resources
California Dream Act Facts and Myths
California Dream Act Flyer
How to get Financial Aid with the CA Dream Act
Tip Sheet for Undocumented Students
Undocumented Student Resources
Immigrants Rising - Additional support to help undocumented individuals and allies
More information on the California Dream Act can be access by visiting https://dream.csac.ca.gov and http://www.icanaffordcollege.com .