CALIFORNIA DREAM ACT
Changes coming to FASFA and Dream ACT.. we will keep you posted!
Both the FAFSA and CA DREAM Act have gone through changes, it is important that you keep up-to-date.
Please speak to the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships for specific questions you have.
TIPS FROM THE URC:
FINANCIAL AID
We know as with any changes, there are issues that need to be resolved. As we all patiently wait for the problem(s) to be fixed. The URC wants to offer some suggestions for you to consider. For information on updates to CA DREAM Act or FAFSA (students whose parents do not have an SSN) Follow CA Student Aid Commission (CSAC) via
If you are having trouble with the parent verification form- to CSAC Link tree and sign up to CSAC email list so they can let you know when they have resolved the issue.
How do I pay for tuition and fees as an undocumented student?
If you meet AB 540 criteria, complete the California Dream Act application to see if you are eligible to receive:
- State financial aid (i.e. Cal Grants and the Middle-Class Scholarship)
- CSU and SDSU financial aid (i.e. State University Grant)
- Privately funded scholarships (eligibility is established by the scholarship donors)
- Loans (i.e. California Dream Loan)
What is the California Dream Act Application?
The California Dream Act of 2011, authored by Assembly Member Gil Cedillo (Los Angeles), became law through the passage of two Assembly Bills: AB 130 and AB 131.
The California Dream Act 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 Grant, and Chafee Grant. You can apply for financial aid through the California Dream Act application which can be found at dream.csac.ca.gov. This website will give you full information about the benefits you can now receive as a result of the California Dream Act.
To qualify for financial aid through the California Dream Act, SDSU students must meet AB 540 criteria.
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:
- To verify that the student meets the educational requirements
- To certify the intent to establish legal residency
How do I apply for the California Dream Act Application?
Use the Dream Act worksheet as a guide to gather the information you need and then complete your California Dream Act Application to determine your eligibility for funding.
- Apply October 1 through March 2 by completing a new Dream Application and a Cal Grant GPA Verification form (also used to consider you for the Middle Class Scholarship).
- Once you have applied, the SDSU Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships will create an SDSU AidLink account for you and notify you by email that you may log in to your account and check the status of your application. Your AidLink account will specify what other information or documents you must submit so that we may determine your eligibility.* It is very important to submit all of the documents required by the Office of Financial Aid as soon as possible.
- If you are undocumented and have any questions related to financial aid, please email: [email protected] or contact us (click on the Contact Us tab to the left for our office information). Your information is strictly confidential and will not be shared.
- If you are eligible, awarded aid will be disbursed during the upcoming academic year.
*Please note that stating in fall 2022, the Office of Financial Aid will be transitioning
from AidLink to my.SDSU.
For more information about the CA DREAM Act visit the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships (OFAS).
Useful Links:
- California Nonresident Tuition Exemption Request (AB 540 Affidavit)
- CA Dream Act Application
- Cal Grant GPA Verification Form
- Dream Act Worksheet
- SDSU AidLink
- Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships (OFAS)
- California Dream Act Application FAQ
- CA DREAM Act Application Comment and Rejection Codes
- Financial Aid Webinar for CADAA recordings
The California Dream Act Service Incentive Grant Program (DSIG) encourages California Dream Act Application (CADAA) students with a Cal Grant B award to perform community or volunteer service. The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) will award up to $3,000 per academic year (up to $1,500 per semester or up to $1,000 per quarter) to 2,500 eligible students. The grant will be available to the student for up to 8 semesters or up to 12 quarters while they have an active Cal Grant B award. Students must also meet Satisfactory Academic Progress and complete any necessary verification for their Cal Grant B award.
Steps to Follow to Apply:
1. Call SDSU EOP and ask to make an appointment with Adolfo Garcia (619) 594-6298.
You do not need to be part of EOP to see Adolfo Garcia. You can also come to the URC
and we can connect you with Adolfo.
2. After making an appointment with Adolfo he will give you a small description of
the program and will provide the paperwork necessary to get started.
3. Find a center or organization of your choice to complete your 150 community/service
hours. Hint: You can volunteer at the URC!
4. Your community service provider will need to sign one of the three documents provided
by Adolfo accepting that he/she will offer you the hours to complete.
5. Once you have completed the paperwork you will need to send your application electronically
via the page from the California Dream Act Service Incentive Grant Program (DSIG).
6. Start your community hours!
For more information, visit the California Dream Act Service Incentive Grant Program (DSIG) page or visit the Undocumented Resource Center.
AB 130 allows students who meet AB 540 criteria to apply for and receive non-state funded scholarships for public colleges and universities.
For undocumented students who are AB 540/CA DREAM Act-eligible:
- SDSU scholarships for undocumented students. The Office of Financial Aid Scholarships provides a search tool where you can research scholarships open to those who are eligible for the California Dream Act.
- Privately Funded Scholarships (eligibility is established by the scholarship donors).
Scholarships not affiliated with SDSU:
- MANA de San Diego Scholarship
- THEDREAM.US Scholarship
- Golden Door Scholarship
- CORE Que Llueva Cafe Scholarship for Undocumented Students
- (CLLCF) California Latino Legislative Caucus Foundation Scholarship Program
- Stonewall Community Foundation Scholarships
- Hispanic Scholarship
Scholarship Lists:
Through Student Account Services you can pay tuition and fees, view account activity and statements, enroll in direct deposit and installment plans, and get your 1098-T forms. Make sure you check this information every semester.
Please click here to access your Student Account Services account.
How much are tuition and fees?
The Tuition and Other Fees page contains information about tuition, fees, and other costs of attendance. Students and parents are strongly encouraged to refer to Money Matters to become familiar with financial information at SDSU including tuition, policies, deadlines, financial aid disbursements, and more.
How do I pay for tuition and fees?
If your Financial Aid Fee Deferment Eligibility is “No” (as seen on WebPortal My Registration, and/or AidLink), you must pay your Basic Tuition & Fees in order to register for classes. You will not be allowed to register for classes until after your Basic Tuition & Fees are paid. Click here to see a picture tutorial on how to pay your balance.
What do I do if my selective service has not cleared for Financial Aid?
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:
