California Dream Act APPLICATION (CADAA)

Learn about your eligibility for certain student financial aid benefits through the California Dream Act, and about an exemption from paying nonresident tuition.

The California Dream Act allows children who were brought into the US under the age of 16 (without proper visas/immigration documentation) to apply for certain student financial aid benefits.

These students must meet certain criteria (as defined by AB 540) to apply for (and, if eligible, receive):

• Privately funded scholarships (eligibility is established by the scholarship donors)
• CSU and SDSU financial aid (like the State University Grant and California Dream Loan)
• State financial aid (like Cal Grants and the Middle Class Scholarship)

For the 2025-2026 year, if the student is a US Citizen from a Mixed Immigration Status families may file a
CADAA; no need to file an AB 540 form.

Please reach out to our Undocumented Resource Center for assistance if needed.

Do you meet AB 540 requirements?

You may meet AB 540 requirements if you:

• Attended a California high school for 3 or more years, and
• Graduated from a California high school or passed the GED or California High School Proficiency Exam
• Complete a California Nonresident Tuition Exemption

To request an exemption from paying nonresident tuition and establish your eligibility under AB 540, you must complete and submit a California Nonresident Tuition Exemption Request (also called an AB 540 Affidavit) with required documentation to the SDSU Office of Admission. Contact the SDSU Office of Admission for the form and instructions. The form serves 2 purposes:

1. To verify that the student meets the educational requirements
2. To certify the intent to establish legal residency

CA Dream Act application determines your eligibility

Like the 2024-25 FAFSA, the California Dream Act Application has been completely revamped. The number of questions has decreased and the way financial need is assessed has changed as well. We encourage students to fill out the application as soon as possible. The application is available via the California Dream Act Application webpage. 

• File the application by no later than April 2, 2025. 
• Make sure your GPA Verification Form is submitted to the California Student Aid Commission to be considered for a Cal Grant by April 2, 2025.
• Once you have applied, the SDSU Office of Financial Aid will communicate with you through my.SDSU. Your my.SDSU account will specify what other information or documents you must submit so that we may determine your eligibility.
• If you are eligible, awarded aid will be disbursed during the upcoming academic year.

2024-25 CA Dream Act Application Changes

• Providing a Signature: CADAA students are no longer directed to an external CSAC signature page. Instead, they can now provide their signatures in the same section of the application.
  • A PIN is no longer needed for parents to sign the application. Students can select one parent to sign electronically, streamlining the process. Students also still have the ability to manually enter all income information. 
  • If the selected parent is unable to provide an electronic signature with the student, they can receive a link to answer a few questions to secure a match to the student's application and allow the parent to affirm their consent electronically.

The California Student Aid Commision details the CADAA application in their Cash for College Webinar (CADAA details begin at 17:44)

State financial aid available if you are eligible

If you are eligible according to criteria above, and you have submitted your CA Dream Act appliation, you will be automatically considered for:

• The Cal Grant programs
• The Middle Class Scholarship
• The State University Grant (SUG)
• California Dream Loan

The California Dream Loan is a loan program for undergraduate students with AB540 status and a valid California Dream Act application. Funding is limited.

The California Dream Loan is borrowed money you must repay with interest. The current interest rate for 2023-24 loans is 5.50%. The interest rate for the California Dream Loan corresponds with the interest rate on Federal Direct Subsidized loans and is subject to change annually. The California Dream Loan does not accrue interest while you are enrolled at least half-time, during periods of approved deferment, and during the 6-month grace period before you enter repayment. You will be responsible for the interest accrued at all other times.

CA Dream Loan borrowers may choose either a standard repayment plan or an income based repayment plan. For more information visit heartland.ecsi.net. Under Download Forms search for "California State University (Dream Loans)".

You can pay off your loan earlier without penalty. Typically, you begin repaying your loan at the end of your 6-month grace period after you graduate, leave school, or enroll less than half-time.

How you are notified if you are eligible for aid

The Office of Financial Aid will communicate with you via my.SDSU to notify you of any awards and additional documents you may need to provide.

SDSU scholarships

If you are a California Dream Act or DACA student, apply for SDSU Aztec Scholarships.

If you are CA Dream Act eligible, you are qualified for scholarships that have no residency or citizenship requirements. If the scholarship requires you to demonstrate financial need, you must complete and submit a California Dream Act application.

About the California Dream Act

The California Dream Act of 2011 became law through the passage of 2 state bills:

• AB 130, relating to private scholarships
• AB 131, relating to financial aid administered by the State of California

my.SDSU & email

The Office of Financial Aid communicates with students via my.SDSU and email. Be sure to check both, regularly.

• my.SDSU gives you access to your latest SDSU financial aid information, 24 hours a day, every day.
• Remember to check your "Financial Aid" tile in my.SDSU for instructions specific to your California Dream Act application.

En Español

Esta página web está diseñada para responder a las preguntas más frecuentes que han sido planteadas por estudiantes inmigrantes desprotegidos como tú que desean un futuro mejor. La información aquí contenida no siempre puede ser definitiva y por ello es aconsejable obtener asesoría adicional.