FAFSA vs CA Dream Act: Apply to the Correct Financial Aid in CA
Themes/Topics: Higher Education
Geography: California
Audience: Educator, Undocumented Youth
Summary
Use this resource to understand which financial aid application you should complete between FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and CADAA (California Dream Act Application). This table lists and compares eligibility and other requirements for each application.
Who may benefit from this resource?
Undocumented students applying for financial aid for college or postsecondary education in California should use this resource. You can use this to guide you through the financial aid application process. Be sure you use the correct application to be considered for all the financial aid you may be eligible for!
Educators who work directly with undocumented and mixed status students should use this resource as a quick reference and as a supplemental tool to support their students in applying for financial aid.
Topics & Keywords
AB 540, CA Dream Act Application, FAFSA, financial aid, higher education, undocumented student, undocueducator
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 email us at [email protected] with the resource title in the subject line. Revised 9/2025.
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