California Dream Act Application

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About

The California Dream Act Application (CADAA) allows qualifying SJSU students to apply for state  and university financial aid. This application is unrelated to the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

Who can apply? students in California who meet the requirements for the CA Non-Resident Tuition Exemption (AB 540, AB 2000, SB 68). This includes students who are undocumented with no social security number, those with DACA, TPS, T Visa, or U Visa. Students will need to be enrolled at least half time (6 units or more) to qualify. 

CADAA- State and CSU Financial Aid Programs 

  • Cal Grant, Chafee Grant, Middle Class Scholarship
  • State University Grant (SUG)
  • CA Dream Act Service Incentive Grant (DSIG) (requires additional application)
  • CA Dream Loan 
  • Golden State Teacher Grant (requires additional application)
  • EOP (must be in EOP)
  • University Scholarships
  • Private scholarships administered by campuses

The CA Dream Act Service Incentive Grant (DSIG)

If you are a CA Dream Act student that was offered a Cal Grant A and met Cal Grant B eligibility or Cal Grant B, don’t miss out on $4,500 worth of aid! Apply for The California Dream Act Service Incentive Grant (DSIG) and receive aid upon performing community or volunteer service. 

Applying for DSIG: 

  • Consult with the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office to verify that you qualify.
  • Identify a qualifying community or volunteer service organization.  
    • Here you will find a list of approved organizations for DSIG
    • Students may also volunteer at any SJSU department that is willing to host a DSIG volunteer.
  • Fill out the DSIG application and obtain the appropriate signatures. 
  • Submit the completed form(s) to the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC). Email the form(s) to studentsupport@csac.ca.gov

Organizations not on the List of Service Organizations, can complete and submit the Service Organization Registration form found on the DSIG Forms webpage.

Have questions about eligibility requirements? Please reach out to the SJSU Financial Aid and Scholarship Office or any of our UndocuAlly financial aid advisors

Apply for DSIG

FAQ for Students


Completing the CA Dream Act Application

The 2024-25 California Dream Act Application (CADAA) and the Free Application For Student Aid (FAFSA) are changing! Priority application window will be from December 2023 - April 2nd, 2024. For more information on how to prepare for the upcoming changes, check out this financial aid fact sheet [pdf]

SJSU Financial Aid and Scholarship Office


CA Dream Act FAQ


Additional Resources 

Financial Aid Advising for UndocuSpartans