CA Dream Act (CADAA)

Steps to Apply for CADAA

You are eligible to complete the California Dream Act Application if you are undocumented, have a valid or expired DACA, U Visa holder, have TPS, and meet AB540/SB200/SB68 requirements. If you are unsure about your status, please reach out to your high school counselor. These resources have been provided by Fresno Unified's College and Career Readiness Office.

1. Register your CADAA account (August – September)

• If student is a first time user, student will need to register his or her California Dream Act Application account and follow the steps to create the account.​

• California Dream Act Application

• Meet with your school counselor

2. Complete and Submit CADAA Application (October – April 2)

• CADAA Application

  • Once a student’s account is registered and created, the student will start and complete the application. Both student and parent will need to sign the application (if student is dependent). If the parent is not present, parent has the option to sign at a later time. Once the application is signed and submitted, the student will need to save the Dream Act ID number for reference.

• How to complete your Dream Act application (video)

• Launching Your FAFSA or California Dream Act Application (video)

3. Create your WebGrants 4 Students account (October – April 2)

• Students are REQUIRED to create a WebGrants 4 Students account

  • 7 days after submitting an accurate FAFSA

  • 24 hours after submitting an accurate Dream Act application

• Your FAFSA must match your WebGrants account name to be able to create a WebGrants account

• Creating your WebGrants 4 Students account

4. Review your FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS) (January – April)

• You will receive the FSS within 1-5 days after submitting the FAFSA electronically

• Your FSS is a summary of the FAFSA data you submitted

• Review your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) number

  • Your EFC listed on your FSS will determine the amount of aid you will receive according to a formula established by law

5. Verification (January – July)

• Students who have an incomplete or inaccurate FAFSA or Dream Act application will be required to complete numerous forms, which can be challenging and delay your financial aid award

• The Department of Education has a verification selection process that sometimes makes it necessary for a student’s information to be verified even if you completed an accurate FAFSA

  • The school will follow up with you to request forms/documentation to be completed

  • When verification is completed and processed, the financial aid office has the ability to submit the SAR electronically

• Contact your counselor for assistance to prevent any delay in your financial aid award

• What happens if I’m selected for Verification? (video)

6. Accepting your award letter (May – June)

• In May and June, you will receive your award letters from all of the schools you applied to

• Read your letter in detail!

• You have to either accept or decline the award and send it back to your prospective school

  • It is important that you carefully read your award letter and follow the instructions on the letter

  • Never assume you’ve been awarded financial aid without signing your award letter

• It is critical that you understand that you can jeopardize your spot at a school you’ve been accepted to waiting on a wait list for another school. If you wait too long, you can potentially lose both.

• Talk to your counselor if you have questions about your awards