California Dream Act Application

The California Dream Act Application (CADAA) allows AB 540 undocumented students to apply for state and university financial aid. Undergraduate and graduate students are encourage to apply each year by the priority deadline to be considered for financial aid. 

This application is unrelated to the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. 

Click on the sections below to learn more about the program and the resources available to students and families. 

• State and CSU Financial Aid Programs Available Through CADAA

  • • Cal Grants, Chafee Grant, Middle Class Scholarship

    • State University Grant (SUG)

    • EOP (must be in EOP)

    • University Scholarships

    • Private scholarships administered by campuses

    • CA Dream Act Service Incentive Grant (DSIG) - requires additional application

    • CA Dream Loan

    Types of Financial Aid Program for Undocumented Students in California - Immigrants Rising 

• The CA Dream Loan

  • The California DREAM Loan Program is a subsidized loan program that extends loans to undocumented AB540 students who have demonstrated financial need.

    Funds are limited - students should submit their CADAA as early as possible and soon after the CADAA is released each year. Eligible students should contact the Financial Aid Office for more information. 

    SJSU CA Dream Loan Information Page

• The CA Dream Service Incentive Grant (DSIG)

  • If you are a CA Dream Act student that was offered a Cal Grant B or Cal Grant A and met Cal Grant B eligibility, 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. 

    Consult with the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office to verify that you qualify.

    Additional Links

    • DSIG Program Overview

    • DSIG Frequently Asked Questions

    • DSIG Forms

• Get Help With Completing Your Application

  • • Financial Aid and Scholarship Office (FASO): Connect with a financial aid advisor in person or online to get help with your financial aid questions. For information on upcoming workshops, visit their How to Apply page.  

    • UndocuSpartan Financial Aid UndocuAllies: If you are looking for financial aid advisors connected to the UndocuSpartan Student Resource Center (USRC), visit our Financial Aid Resource Page to reach out to any of our UndocuAllies.   

Financial Aid Tools & Resources

CADAA Frequently Asked Questions

• Who can apply for the CADAA? 

  • Undergraduate AND Graduate undocumented students in California who meet the requirements for the CA Non-Resident Tuition Exemption (AB 540).This includes students with no social security number, those with DACA, TPS, U Visa, Asylum Seekers. 

• What is the minimum number of units that I need to be enrolled in to receive CADAA? 

  • All students must be enrolled at least half-time (6 units for undergraduate, credential, and second BA, or 4 units 200-level equivalency for graduate) to receive financial aid, including loans, regardless of their situation.

    SJSU Financial Aid Academic Progress Policies

• For tax information, what year should I report for the 2024-25 application? 

  •  You can apply using prior-prior year tax information. For 2025-26 CADAA application, you will need to use income information from 2023. 

• Will I need to verify my tax information? 

  • Every year students are selected at random for tax verification. If you are selected, SJSU will be comparing your CADAA with your (and your spouse's, if you are married) and/or your parent's income tax return, or with W-2 forms, or other financial documents.

    Selected students will be assigned to provide the required documents within their To-Do List in MySJSU. 

• Can I submit the CA Dream Act if I missed the priority deadline?

  • March 3rd is the priority filing deadline for most colleges and universities and the absolute deadline for submission of your Cal Grant application (CADAA + GPA).

    Students are encouraged to submit a CADAA application after the priority deadline but there is no guarantee that funding will be available. CADAA on file could also help students access resources or scholarships that would require income information.

• What can I do if my parents or I did not file taxes?

  • If a student or parents do not file taxes because they do not have a social security number or ITIN, and/or did not earn more than the IRS threshold, then a written statement will be required.

• Do I need to submit a GPA verification if I am a continuing student? 

  • No. The SJSU Financial Aid and Scholarship Office submits GPAs on behalf of continuing students. 

•  When is a person considered independent for financial aid purposes?

  • • Married or has dependent
    • 24 or older
    • Under 24 and homeless (with proof)
    • Ward of the court
    • Veterans of the armed forces
    • Have children or dependents

    • Has obtained independence override

• Do I need to submit an application every year?

  • YES. Priority registration window for 2024-25 is December 2023 - April 2nd, 2024. 

    Visit the CA Dream Act website to access the application. 

• Do I need a Social Security number for the CADAA?

  • Not necessarily. Students are not required to have a Social Security Number to submit the CADAA. Students without a SSN or students who have lost DACA status (or never applied for DACA) can receive aid as long as they meet AB 540 (non-resident tuition exemption).

• How do I check how long I qualify for Cal Grant? 

  • You can check by going to the Cal Grant website.

• When is the University Grant (SUG) maxed out? 

  • For undergraduates, SUG is maxed out when a student has attempted to take over 150 SJSU units starting as a freshman or over 75 SJSU units as a transfer.

    Graduate students cannot exceed more than 125% earned units of the required program length.

    For more information please visit the SJSU Financial Aid State University Grant page. 

• I submitted my CA Dream but I have not seen my financial aid award.

  • There could be various reasons why you have not been awarded after submitting the CA Dream Act Application. Here are some examples [pdf]of common issues that students encounter with the CADAA. 

    Also, make sure that you have been approved for the CA Non-Resident Tuition Exemption.

    Reach out to the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office for questions about your application. 

For additional FAQs on the CA Dream Act, visit the California Student Aid Commission website.