The California Dream Act Application (CADAA) is for DREAMERS, those students who are not U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents, but would like to pursue higher education/training. Non-citizens and non-permanent residents are still eligible for state and insitituitional financial aid, so we HIGHLY ENCOURAGE you to apply. If you are not sure if you should fill out the FAFSA or CADAA, start with the Dream Act Application and it will direct you to the correct application. 

The CA Dream Act Application opens on October 1st every year and you should plan to submit by March 2nd to be eligible for the maximum amount of aid. The sooner, the better! To be eligible for aid during your first year of college, you should fill out the application for the year you plan to attend (next school year). For example, students in the graduating class of 2026 should fill out the 2026-2027 application.