CA Dream Act

NEW CADAA IS COMING IN JANUARY 2024, stay tuned for updates!! 

 

 Fill out the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) if you are a non-citizen, do not have a social security number AND meet AB540 criteria. See your school counselor to see if you are eligible. 

 

Get state financial aid, including: 

• Cal Grants
• Chafee Grant for Foster Youth
• Middle Class Scholarship
• California College Promise Grant (for CCC)
• California DREAM Loans (for CSU or UC)
• Scholarships or grants from college campuses
   

Fill out the CADAA even if you’re not sure you’ll get financial aid. If you don’t, you could miss out on a lot of money to help you pay for college. 

 

Note: The CA Dream Act is separate from the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Your parents’ citizenship status doesn’t matter for getting state financial aid. 

 

When should you fill out the CADAA? 

• You can fill out the CADAA online starting October 1 of your senior year in high school. 
• Be sure to apply by the March 2 Cal Grant deadline so you can be considered for this big state grant. 
• Your college may have earlier deadlines for grants or scholarships they give out. Check with the financial aid office. 

 

Is it safe to apply? 

Don’t be afraid to fill out the CADAA. Your information will only be used to figure out if you can get state financial aid. It won’t be shared with the federal government or used for immigration enforcement.