DREAM ACT 101

FINANCIAL AID FOR

UNDOCUMENTED STUDENTS
FEDERAL AID VS. STATE AID

• Federal Financial Aid

– U.S. Citizens
– Permanent Residents
– DACA is NOT eligible

• State Financial Aid

– U.S. Citizens
– Permanent Residents
– AB-540 - attended high school in California for three years
- graduated from a California high school
FEDERAL AID VS. STATE AID

• Federal Financial Aid

– Pell Grant
– Work Study
– Loans

• State Financial Aid

– Fee waivers (California College Promise Grant)
– Cal Grants
– Student Success Completion Grant
FEDERAL AID VS. STATE AID

• Applying for Financial Aid for U.S. Citizens / Permanent Residents

– Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA
– Includes both federal and state aid
– www.fafsa.ed.gov

• Applying for State Financial Aid for Undocumented / DACA

– California Dream Act
– Includes only state aid
– dream.csac.ca.gov/
HOW TO APPLY WITH THE
CALIFORNIA DREAM ACT
• Create a login and password
– Write it down as it will be reused every year

• Complete the California Dream Act

– Do not guess or estimate
– Do not leave questions blank (if 0 then enter 0)
– If male (on birth certificate), you must register for Selective Service if less than 26 years
old even if you are undocumented. Check the box to “register me”
HOW TO APPLY WITH THE
CALIFORNIA DREAM ACT
• You are Independent if:
– Born before January 1, 1997
– Married
– Have a Bachelor’s degree
– Veteran
– Have children or other dependents that you provide for
– Orphan, in foster care after age 13, emancipated, or in legal guardianship
– Unaccompanied, homeless youth

• If Dependent, your parents must provide information and sign

– Even if parents live out of the country
CALIFORNIA COLLEGE PROMISE
GRANT
• Waives enrolment fees at Community College
– Waives the $46 per unit enrollment fee
– Does NOT waive other fees, parking, books, etc.
• No minimum or maximum unit requirements
• Must maintain a 2.0 GPA
• Must complete and pass more than 50% of units attempted
CAL GRANT
• Cal Grant A
– 4-year colleges in California only
• $5,742 at CSU
• $9,084 at Independent College
• $12,570 at UC
• Cal Grant B
– Can receive at Community Colleges
• $1,672
• Treated like a Cal Grant A when transferring to 4-year college
• Cal Grant C
– Technical/Career Education only
• $1,094 at a Community College
• $3,556 at a school other than Community College
CAL GRANT
• March 2 Deadline
– To be considered for a Cal Grant Entitlement Award
– Entitlement awards awarded to high school grads and community college transfers (under
age 28)
– Must have 3.0 GPA
– Must have low family income and financial need

• September 2 Deadline
– To be considered for a Cal Grant Competitive Award
– Limited number available
– For students not eligible for Entitlement Award
CAL GRANT

• Four Full-time years only

• If receiving a Cal Grant at a Community College and planning to transfer – BE CAREFUL not
to use to much!!
– Make sure to save at least two years for the 4-year college

• If attending part-time, the Cal Grant is extended proportionally.

• A leave of absence can be requested for up to two years.

STUDENT SUCCESS COMPLETION GRANT

• At Community Colleges only

• For Full-time Cal Grant recipients only
– 12 units per semester = $649/semester
– 15 units per semester = $2,000/semester
TOTAL POSSIBLE AID AT A
COMMUNITY COLLEGE
• For a student in 15 units for Fall and Spring Semester
• California College Promise Grant (30 units x $46) $2,760
• Cal Grant B $1,672
• Student Success Completion Grant $4,000
$8,432 ($5,600 after paying student fees)

Students can additionally receive private scholarships, participate in EOPS, or Chafee.

QUESTIONS