California Dream Act of 2011
What are the AB540 requirements?
- The student must have attended a high school (public or private) in California for three of more years
AND
- The student must have graduated form a California high school or attained the equivalent prior to the start of the term (for example: passed the GED or California High School Proficiency exam)
AND
- A student who is without lawful immigration status must file an AB540 Affidavit (California Non-Resident Tuition Exemption Request form) with the Registrar’s 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. Complete and submit the affidavit to the Registrar’s Office.
Males between the ages of 18-25, are required to be registered with Selective Service. Forms are available at any U.S. post office.
What assistance is available to AB540 students?
AB130 (Scholarships)
AB130 allows students who qualify under AB540 to apply for non-state funded scholarships. This law took effect on January 1, 2012. Visit the scholarship web page for more information on scholarships available to students.
AB131 (Grants)
AB 131 allows students who qualify under the AB540 to apply for and receive state-funded financial aid such as institutional grants, community college fee waivers, Cal Grant and Chafee Grant. At San Jose State University, the grants that one could be eligible for are the State University Grant (SUG), the EOP Grant (for those admitted in the Educational Opportunity Program), and the Graduate Professional Business Grant. This law took effect on January 1, 2013. As such, eligible AB540 students at SJSU who complete the Dream Application will be considered for funding.
How do I apply?
Use the Dream Act Application to apply for the programs available under AB131. The California Dream Act Application will collect basic personal and income information to determine student eligibility for funding under AB131. While the 2012-2013 application and processing began April 2012, eligible Dream applicants will not begin to receive their funding until after January 1, 2013 (the date which the law became effective). The California Dream Act Application must be filed every year to determine eligibility for state and institutional aid. View the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) website for additional information.
Students should complete and submit to SJSU’s Registrar’s Office the AB540 Affidavit (California Non-Resident Tuition Exemption Request form) in order to begin the review of eligibility. Students should routinely view their MySJSU for any additional paperwork needed to complete their application.
Now that I have applied, what happens next?
Once our office receives a student's CA Dream Act data, a message is sent to the student's MySJSU within 2 weeks instructing the student to complete and submit documents from his/her To Do List.
Additional Information
View Student Affairs website for additional information on AB540