Step 1: CA Dream Act Application Checklist

Themes/Topics: Higher Education

Geography: California

Audience: Educator, Undocumented Youth

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Apply Online: dream.csac.ca.gov
Priority Deadline: March 2

The new 2025-26 CA Dream Act Application (CADAA) will open on December 1, 2024. See all application questions here.

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Step 1: Complete the CA Dream Act Application to Get Help Paying for College!

Complete this checklist to ensure that you’ve completed all necessary steps in order to be considered for all state financial aid, including the Cal Grant and Middle-Class Scholarship.

  1. Understand how you meet AB 540 requirements. Beginning in January 2024, the AB 540 Affidavit is now embedded within the CADAA. The affidavit will be shared directly to all the colleges and universities you listed. It’s helpful to have unofficial transcripts and/or attendance records from all the schools you attended to accurately answer these questions on the CADAA.
    • For your financial aid to be released, you must meet these requirements. U visa holders and students with TPS are also eligible. T visa holders should apply through FAFSA.
  2. If you are a new user, Create a username and password for the CA Dream Act Application. Save them somewhere safe, where you won’t forget, like as a contact on your phone or a piece of paper you keep with other important documents.
  3. Gather the following information: your and your parents’ 2023 tax information, untaxed income, bank statements, household size, number of people in the household attending college, etc. You will need these when answering questions related to you or your parent(s).
  4. If your 2023 taxes aren’t complete by April 2, indicate “Will file” and use estimated household earnings. After your or your parent’s 2023 taxes are filed, log in to update your application.
  5. If you are a non-tax filer, indicate “Will not file” and list all untaxed income for the household. Be aware of the IRS filing requirement as a non-tax filer.
  6. List all colleges and universities where you applied on the CA Dream Act Application. You can include up to 20 campuses. Be sure to list at least one California college or university to be considered for Cal Grants, which are state-based financial aid.
  7. Submit your CA Dream Act Application and review the confirmation page immediately for errors.
    • Complete the application by April 2, 2025, to meet the priority deadline. You can apply after this date, but many grants, such as the Cal Grant, require you to meet the priority deadline.
    NOTE: Students attending community colleges can apply until September 2, 2025.
  8. Ensure your parent signs the application if required. Only one parent needs to sign the application.
    NOTE: Each time a change is made to the application, you must resubmit it. Always re-check the confirmation page for any outstanding items marked in red.
  9. Verify your GPA has been submitted to the CA Student Aid Commission before April 2 (or September 2 for community college students) at mygrantinfo.csac.ca.gov.
    • If not, complete the student portion of the Cal Grant GPA Verification Form, then share it with your high school counselor or community college official to fill out their part. Once completed, your counselor or school official should email it to [email protected] with the subject “Cal Grant GPA Verification Form G-4.”
  10. Check the online portal at each college or university for information regarding your financial aid award at that school.

Step 2: Make Sure You Are Considered for Cal Grants (GPA Verification)

Remember that completing the California Dream Act Application is only the first step to applying for institutional and state financial aid. Make sure you are considered for Cal Grant by completing Step 2: Cal Grant Checklist.

Immigrants Rising helps you make decisions based on your potential, not your perceived limits. Visit our website so you can see what’s possible: immigrantsrising.org. For inquiries regarding this resource, please contact Madeleine Villanueva, Interim Director of Higher Education, at [email protected]. Revised 1/2025.

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