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AB 540 and California Dream Act

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Agenda

Overview of AB 540

CA Dream Act Application

Additional Information & Resources

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CA Dream Act of 2011 Overview

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Assembly Bill (AB) 540 (Firebaugh, 2001)

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    • Created the first state authorized benefit for undocumented students in California – exemption from non-resident tuition at public postsecondary institutions
    • Criteria:
      • Attended a CA high school for 3+ years
      • Graduated from a CA high school or the equivalent
      • Enrolls in a public CA college or university
      • If the student is without lawful immigration status, student must file an affidavit with the institution stating that he/she has filed an application to legalize status or will file as soon as eligible

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AB 540 Students may be:

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AB 130 - Private Scholarships

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AB 131 - Public Funds

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AB 2000 - 2014

Expands AB 540 eligibility for high school requirement

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  • Attend a CA high school for 3 years or more, or
  • Attain credits earned in CA from a CA High School (equivalent to 3 or more years of full-time HS coursework) AND a total of 3 or more years of attendance in a CA elementary or middle or high school

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Senate Bill (SB) 1210

CA DREAM Loan Program

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  • Administered by UC and CSU campuses
  • Loan question has been removed from application
  • Max amount $4000 per year
    • Interest rate is the same as the Federal Direct Subsidized Stafford Loan

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SB 68 - 2017

Further expands AB 540

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  • Effective January 1, 2018
  • Students are now able to fulfill the requirement of 3 or more years of full-time attendance (or attainment of credits earned) at the following institutions:
    • CA Adult Schools
    • CA Community Colleges (up to 2 years)

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CADAA & Mixed-Status Families

    • For the 2025-26 application cycle, CADAA will remain open for students who SHOULD file a FAFSA but are unable to for whatever purpose.
    • Doing this will allow CALIFORNIA institutions to receive financial aid application information from students to create a financial aid award package.
    • Students are still eligible to receive state financial but CADAA DOES NOT make students eligible for federal aid.
    • Best Practice: Track students in this predicament to best support them with filing the FAFSA at a later date.

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If the student has a SSN …

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If the student has a SSN …

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If the student has a SSN …

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If the student has a LIMITED SSN …

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If the student has a LIMITED SSN / no SSN …

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2025 - 2026 School Year

2024 - 2025 School Year

STUDENT

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2019

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PERSONAL IDENTIFIERS

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PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES

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DEMOGRAPHICS

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If the student is independent…

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FINANCIALS

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disclaimer: federal benefits received will be refer to 2023 & 2024 for the 2025-26 application

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disclaimer: all financial information will be in reference to 2023 for the 2025-26 application

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disclaimer: all financial information will be in reference to 2023 for the 2025-26 application

these will be the only questions if the student DID NOT file taxes

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disclaimer: all financial information will be in reference to 2023 for the 2025-26 application

these will be the questions if the student DID file taxes

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disclaimer: all financial information will be in reference to 2023 for the 2025-26 application

these will be the questions if the student DID file taxes

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disclaimer: these questions are in reference of the day the student is answering them.

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Are you interested in being considered for the California Dream Act Service Incentive Grant (DSIG) Program?

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DSIG: An award up to $4500 per year (up to 8 semesters/12 quarters) by completing community or volunteer service hours.

target students: Cal-Grant B qualifying students with sufficient unmet financial need

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disclaimer: all financial information will be in reference to 2023 for the 2025-26 application

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disclaimer: all financial information will be in reference to 2023 for the 2025-26 application

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disclaimer: all financial information will be in reference to 2023 for the 2025-26 application

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disclaimer: all financial information will be in reference to 2023 for the 2025-26 application

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Signature Page

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Parent signature is NOW a part of the main application and can be done prior to final submission!

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Parent Signature Page

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CA Dream Act App ID

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CA Dream Act App ID

Important

for students to take note of Dream Act ID

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CADAA Confirmation Page

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2021

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Did your student accidently complete a FAFSA instead of a CA Dream Act application?

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  1. Have the student complete the CA Dream Act application
  2. Download and complete an Application Conversion Form (G-55)
  3. Contact CSAC and provide students DACA SSN and Dream Act ID Number
    1. CSAC will convert information and notify schools

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CSAC Undocumented Landing Page: https://www.csac.ca.gov/undocumented