The California Dream Act of 2011 allows students who meet AB540 criteria to apply for and receive funds from certain state and institutional financial aid programs. Students must submit the (CADAA) to be considered for these financial aid programs.
What are the AB540 Requirements?
In order to meet the AB540 criteria, you must meet all of the following:
- You must have attended a high school (public or private) in California for three or more years, AND;
- You must have graduated from a California High School or attained the equivalent prior to the start of the term (i.e. passed the GED or California High School Proficiency exam), AND;
- Enroll in an accredited California Institution of Higher Education. In the case of students without legal immigration status, file an AB540 Affidavit (California Non-Resident Tuition Exemption Request Form) (, 52KB) with the Admissions Office stating that he or she has filed an application to legalize his or her immigration status (or will file an application as soon as he or she is eligible to do so).
How Do I Apply?
Students wanting to be eligible for the California Dream Act must have a California Nonresident Tuition Exemption Request Form on file and remain classified as nonresidents.
To be considered for financial aid through the Dream Act, visit the California Residency for CSU Tuition Purposes webpage and complete the 'Steps for CSU Nonresident Tuition Exemption (AB540) Eligible Students', at www.csuci.edu/admissions/residency/#NonresidentExemption. Items commonly required are the CSU Residence Questionnaire, the California Nonresident Tuition Exemption Request, and official high school transcripts. We encourage you submit all documents in one submission, to avoid misclassification.
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
Students who received a Social Security Number through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), and who qualify under AB540 criteria, can complete the CADAA in order to be considered for state-funded financial aid. DACA students are NOT eligible for Federal Student Aid, and should NOT complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
CADAA for Mixed-Status Families
Students from Mixed-Status Families have choices when applying for Financial Aid. If you have parents or a spouse who does not have a Social Security number (non-SSN FAFSA contributor), you may be facing a difficult decision about applying for financial aid this year.
Students with mixed status have the option to complete the CADAA. is an application created and maintained by CSAC, and will only share your information with the campuses you list on your application for the purposes of determining financial aid eligibility. CSAC does not share this data with the federal government or use it for immigration enforcement.