California Dream Act Application

Jump to:

• About the CA Dream Act
• CA Dream Act Incentive Grant (DSIG)
• Apply for Aid
• Schedule an Appointment with Financial Aid 
• CA Dream Act FAQ
• Resources 

About

The California Dream Act Application (CADAA) allows qualifying SJSU students to apply for state  and university financial aid. This application is unrelated to the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

Who can apply? students in California who meet the requirements for the CA Non-Resident Tuition Exemption (AB 540, AB 2000, SB 68). This includes students who are undocumented with no social security number, those with DACA, TPS, T Visa, or U Visa. Students will need to be enrolled at least half time (6 units or more) to qualify. 

Financial Aid Options Through the CADAA

• Cal Grant, Chafee Grant, Middle Class Scholarship
• UC Grants, State University Grants
• California Community College (CCC) California Promise Grant
• EOP/EOPS
• Some University scholarships
• Some private scholarships administered by campuses
• CA Dream Loan 
• CA Dream Act Service Incentive Grant (DSIG)

CA Dream Act Events

The CA Dream Act Service Incentive Grant (DSIG)

The California Dream Act Service Incentive Grant (DSIG) awards a grant to CA Dream Act recipients with a Cal Grant B award, for performing community or volunteer service. Eligible students could receive an award up to $3,000 for the academic year (or up to $1,500 per semester). 

Applying for DSIG: 

• Consult with the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office to verify that you qualify.
• Identify a qualifying community or volunteer service organization.  
• Fill out the form and obtain the appropriate signatures.
• Submit the completed form(s) to the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC). Email the form(s) to studentsupport@csac.ca.gov

Apply for DSIG

Completing the CA Dream Act Application

NEW PRIORITY DEADLINE: APRIL 1st, 2022

CA Dream Act Application 2022-23

CA Dream Act FAQ

• Who can apply for the CADAA? 

  • Undergraduate AND graduate undocumented students in California who meet the requirements for the CA Non-Resident Tuition Exemption  (AB 540, AB 2000, SB 68).

• For tax information, what year should I report for the 2022-23 application? 

  •  You can apply using prior-prior year tax information. For 2022-23 CADAA application, you will need to use income information from 2020. 

• Will I need to verify my tax information? 

  • Every year students are selected at random for tax verification. If you are selected, SJSU will be comparing your CADAA with your (and your spouse's, if you are married) and/or your parent's income tax return, or with W-2 forms, or other financial documents.

    Selected students will be assigned to provide the required documents within their To-Do List in MySJSU. 

• Can I submit the CA Dream Act if I missed the priority deadline?

  • March 2nd*, is the priority financial aid filing deadline for most colleges and universities and the absolute deadline for submission of your Cal Grant application (CADAA + GPA).

    *Although there is no guarantee that a student will receive any aid for the Academic Year, we encourage individuals to submit their CADAA in the case that university aid is available. A CADAA on file could also help students access resources or scholarships that would require Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) information.

• What can I do if my parents or I did not file taxes?

  • If a student or parents do not file taxes because they do not have a social security number or ITIN, and/or did not earn more than the IRS threshold, then a written statement will be required.

• Do I need to submit a GPA verification if I am a continuing student? 

  • No. The SJSU Financial Aid and Scholarship Office submits GPAs on behalf of continuing students. 

•  When is a person considered independent for financial aid purposes?

  • • Married or has dependent
    • 24 or older
    • Under 24 and homeless (with proof)
    • Ward of the court
    • Veterans of the armed forces
    • Have children or dependents

    • Has obtained independence override

• Where can students get support with their CADAA?

  • For questions in regarding the CADAA and other aid options, student may reach out to the USRC liaison and Assistant Director of the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office, Lucy Serrato-Lager (lucy.serrato@sjsu.edu)  or any of the financial aid advisors within the UndocuAlly Network.  

    Students are also welcome to reach out to the USRC for general questions.

• Do students need to submit an application every year?

  • YES. Priority registration window is October 1st-March 2nd. 

    Visit the CA Dream Act website to access the form. 

• Do you need a  Social Security number for the CADAA?

  • Not necessarily. Students are not required to have a Social Security Number to submit the CADAA. Students without a SSN or students who have lost DACA status (or never applied for DACA) may be eligible to receive aid.

    Read the CADAA Application Instructions.

• How do I check how long I qualify for Cal Grant? 

  • You can check by going to the CAL Grant website.

• When is the University Grant (SUG) maxed out? 

  • For undergraduates, SUG is maxed out when a student has attempted to take over 150 SJSU units starting as a freshman or over 75 SJSU units as a transfer.

    Graduate students cannot exceed more than 125% earned units of the required program length.

    
    For more information please visit the SJSU Financial Aid State University Grant Web page. 

• I submitted my CA Dream but I have not seen my financial aid award.

  • There could be various reasons why you have not been awarded after submitting the CA Dream Act Application. Here are some examples of common issues that students encounter with the CADAA. 

    Also, make sure that you have been approved for the CA Non-Resident Tuition Exemption.

    Reach out to the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office for questions about your application. 

Additional Resources 

• Ca Dream Act Online Application
  • CSAC Information and Resources (including guides and FAQs)
• Financial Aid and Scholarship Office (FASO)
• CA Dream Loan at SJSU
• Financial Aid and Satisfactory Academic Progress

CA Dream Act Toolkit

USRC Financial Aid Advising Hours