California Dream Act & AB 540

California Dream Act Application

The Dream Act are two laws that passed in 2011 that allow AB 540 students to apply for and receive several types of financial aid, including:

• California College Promise Grant Fee Waiver
• State financial aid such as Cal Grants and Chafee Grants
• Assistance from EOPS, CARE, or CalWORKs
• Privately-funded scholarships

Who is Eligible?

If you are an AB 540 student and meet all of the following criteria, you are exempt from paying non-resident enrollment fees:

Attendance Requirement	Completion of a Course of Study
3 years of high school, adult school, community college (credit courses: only 2 Full-time years are considered) or any combination of the above in California (CA) OR 3 years of high school coursework and attended a combination of CA elementary, secondary, and high school	CA high school diploma, CA adult school, GED or the equivalent (HiSET, TASC, CHSPE) Degree from a CA Community College Fulfilled minimum transfer requirements to a UC or CSU Campus

• For more information, please view Quick Guide to SB 68 by Immigrants Rising
• You will need to submit documents to Admissions and Records to establish AB 540 status. 
• If required, complete an AB 540 CALIFORNIA NONRESIDENT TUITION EXEMPTION REQUEST affidavit saying you have filed (or will file when you are eligible to do so) for an immigration status. 

Please contact Admissions Office to determine if you are AB 540 eligible.

Tuition Difference After You Establish AB 540 Status

Institution	CA Resident Tuition for fall and spring  semester	Non-residents (taking 12 semester units) for fall and spring semester
Las Positas College	$1,104*	$8,064
CSU	$5,742*	$16,812
UC	$12,570*	$47,293

*This is an estimate and the actual amounts are subject to change. 

Types of Aid Available

If you are an AB 540 student, you may qualify for state and college financial aid through the California Dream Act. Below are the available options:

Students only need to submit one California Dream Application each year to apply for multiple financial aid programs.

California College Promise Grant (Fee Waiver)

This grant covers the $46 per unit enrollment fee at California community colleges for eligible students.

• Apply using the CA College Promise Grant Fee Waiver or California Dream Application. (available upon request).

Support from EOPS, CARE, or CalWORKs

These programs provide services such as tutoring, book vouchers, and additional financial assistance for eligible students.

• Apply directly through each program's department:
  • EOPS (Extended Opportunity Programs & Services)
  • CalWORKs (California Work Opportunity & Responsibility to Kids)
  • CARE Program (Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education)

California Dream Act Service Incentive Grant (DSIG)

The California Dream Act Service Incentive Grant Program (DSIG) provides up to $3,000 per year for students who complete community or volunteer service.

• Must be a Cal Grant B recipient to qualify.
• Available to 2,500 students annually.

Cal Grant A & B

Community College Transfer Entitlement

Provides financial assistance for tuition and school expenses when transferring to a four-year university.

• Deadlines: March 2 and September 2
• Apply using the California Dream Application and GPA Verification Form
• To qualify for GPA verification from LPC, students must have completed at least 16 college units (excluding basic skills and ESL courses). Otherwise, GPA verification must come from the student’s high school.

Cal Grant B – Entitlement

Offers funding for educational expenses for recent high school graduates.

• Deadline: March 2
• Apply using the California Dream Application and GPA Verification Form

Cal Grant C

Supports students enrolled in career and technical education programs.

• Deadline: March 2
• Apply using the California Dream Application, Cal Grant C Supplemental Application, and GPA Verification Form.

Chafee Grant (for Foster Youth)

Financial aid program for current and former foster youth.

• Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, but funds are limited.
• Apply using the California Dream Application and Chafee Grant Application

Resources for Dreamers

• CSAC Resources for California Dream Act Application 
• Undocumented Students
• I Can Afford College 
• TODEC Legal Center