California Dream Act Resources

The California Dream Act is the first step in the financial aid process.

You use the CA Dream Act form to apply for California student aid, such as CA grants, CA work-study, scholarships, and UC/CSU loans. For assistance to complete the CA Dream Act application, check out the resources below!

AB540_CA DREAM ACT_MWA Edit

Financial Aid Overview for Undocumented/DACAmented Students

If you would like to gain a deeper understanding of how financial works for undocumented/Documented students. Please review this presentation. There are many helpful links that you can click through!

For four-year scholars, CA Dream Act due date is MARCH 2nd.

For Community College, trade, or vocational scholars, CA Dream Act due date is June 30th.

Immigrants-Rising_FAFSA-vs-CA-Dream-Act-Apply-to-the-Correct-Financial-Aid-in-CA.pdf

CA Dream ACT Eligibility

Eligibility for the CA Dream Act differs from the FAFSA. If you are not sure if you are eligible for the CA Dream Act, review the information from this resource from Immigrants Rising.

Preparing for the CA Dream ACT

By preparing for the CA Dream Act, you will be able to complete the application quicker and more accurate. Collect the following documentation belonging to you and your parent(s) -if you are a dependent scholar.

Do I file Dependent or Independent?

If you are unsure whether need to file the CA Dream Act using your parent's taxes (dependent) or not (independent), we recommend you to download, print, and complete the following resource from Federal Student Aid. This is also applicable for CA Dream Act application. If you need assistance determining if you are an dependent or independent scholar, contact a counselor or advisor!

fafsa-dependency.pdf

Completing the CA Dream ACT

Lets-Talk-About.-Creating-a-CA-Dream-Act-Account.pdf

Step 1: Create a CA Dream ACT Account

Before you start the CA Dream Act, scholars need to create a CA Dream Act account.

Step 2: Complete the CA DREAM ACT

You will start your application on by going to dream.csac.ca.gov.

Check out the presentation below to help you file your CA Dream Act!

Step 3_ CADA Sign and Submit.pdf

Step 3: Sign and Submit

Review your answers on the CA Dream Act by going through the tabs on the application and correct any errors. Submit by checking of the box by Student Signature and click submit.

After Submitting the CA Dream Act

Confirmation Page/ CALSAR: Immediately after submitting your Dream Act application with your student signature (and parent signature for dependent students), you’ll be able to review your application confirmation page. The confirmation page will explain any additional steps to take to finalize your Dream Act application. You also will be able to access and print your California Student Aid Report (look for the “Cal SAR” tab in your online Dream Act application). If any information is incorrect, or if you want to add to or change your school selections, make the changes on your Dream Act application.

If you don’t have any changes to make to the information listed on your Cal SAR, keep it for your records.

Please send your CAL SAR to your CAP Coach

cal_grant_awarding_process.pdf

CSAC WebGrants

After completing the CA Dream Act, scholars in California are eligible for state aid. This means, scholars are eligible for more free money! In order to verify and successfully obtain your aid from California (CalGrant), You will need to follow the steps in the PDF - resource provided by CSAC.

College Portals: After completing your CA Dream Act, it is recommended to check your college portals as soon as possible.

How do I get access to my college portals?

After you apply to the colleges on your college list, the colleges will send you an email to the email you applied with in order to check their portal. You will have to activate your college portals - therefore pay close attention to the email's directions.
After activating your portals, most communications will happen through the portal. From verification to their admission decision - those portals are very important. Keep all your usernames and passwords in a very space and reachable place (notes in your phone, for example).

Verification: After you have activated your college portal, most scholars are asked by colleges/universities to submit additional financial or residential paperwork - this is a process called verification. This request can be found on your TO-DO List. You must submit these documents to get financial aid. Failure to submit these documents can cause you to lose or receive no financial aid. For more information on verification, click here. (Cap place holder)

Financial Aid Letter: Once everything is done, you will receive a financial aid letter from the colleges/universities you have been accepted to OR the college/university that you are attending. If you need assistance in breaking down what your financial aid letter has to offer - click here. (Cap place holder)

tip_sheet_for_undocumented_students_2020-21.pdf

Tips for Undocumented Students

Undocumented students face unique challenges in their quest to obtain postsecondary education. This tip sheet is designed to help this population with some of the pressing questions they have while contemplating whether or not they can enroll in school.

For additional CA Dream Act resources, check out the following links below!

If you have any additional questions, we recommend you to navigate to your college's/university's/trade school's financial aid page. Simply Google the name of your college/university/trade school financial aid or talk to a counselor or an advisor!

Credit for all the resources above will be linked here: Federal Student Aid, Immigrant Rising, and California Student Aid Commission (CSAC)

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