I am undocumented and qualify for AB540. How can I pay for college?

Before learning about the various types of financial aid available, it is important to know that aid is available for all types of colleges (community colleges, 4-year colleges, public colleges, private colleges, trade/technical colleges, and out-of-state colleges). It is also important to know that financial aid is available for all types of students:

• Documented & Undocumented

• High GPA & Low GPA

• High Financial Need & Low Financial Need

Types of Aid

Your financial aid award/package will likely come from various streams: State grants, University/College grants, and private scholarship resources. Undocumented students do not qualify for Federal Financial Aid.

Aid programs for eligible California residents:

• CHAFEE Grant: The California Chafee Grant for Foster Youth Grant awards up to $5,000 a year to eligible foster youth. It may be used at any eligible California college or university, or career or technical school. Students attending schools in other states may also qualify. A student’s receipt of a Chafee Grant award shall not exceed five years (whether or not consecutive).

• Middle-Class Scholarship (MCS): For undergraduates and students pursuing a teaching credential with family income and assets up to $201,000. Scholarship amounts vary by college.

• UC Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan: Ensures that you will not have to pay UC’s systemwide tuition and fees out of your own pocket if you are a California resident whose total family income is less than $80,000 a year and you qualify for financial aid.

• California Dream Loan Program: The California DREAM Loan Program provides eligible undocumented AB 540 undergraduates with the option to borrow loans to help cover the cost of attending UC.

• California College Promise Grant: Waives community college enrollment fees.

Scholarship: money awarded to students for academic study (does not have to be paid back). Can be granted by the college, company, non-profit organization, individual, etc. Merit-based scholarships are dependent on academic performance, talents, or other criteria. Need-based scholarships are dependent on financial need.

• CSU Scholarships

• UC Scholarships

• Scholarships for Undocumented Students

How much aid will I get?

• The amount of state and federal aid you will receive will depend on the information you share through your financial aid application. 

• The aid you get will be based on the COST OF ATTENDANCE (COA) and your family’s STUDENT AID INDEX (SAI - formerly known as EFC). 

• The COA varies by college and it includes tuition, books, fees, room and board, transportation, and personal expenses.

• The amount of financial aid you will receive will be the difference between the COA and SAI: COA - SAI = financial aid needed. The financial aid needed can be met by a combination of loans, grants, scholarships, and work-study.

Who is considered my “parent” on financial aid application forms?

• Students should enter information for biological parents or legally ADOPTIVE parents.

• If parents live in another country, their information is still required.

• If biological parents live in the same house together but were never legally married, both parents' information must be included.

• If parents live in separate houses (and the student lives with both), use the information for the parent with whom the student lived the MOST during the last 12 months. It is NOT necessary to put both parents.

• It does NOT matter who claims the student on their taxes.

• If the parent selected is remarried, the step-parent’s information must also be included.

Which financial aid application do I submit?

The California Dream Act allows undocumented students [DACA recipients (valid or expired), U Visa holders, and students under Temporary Protected Status (TPS), who qualify for a non-resident exemption under Assembly Bill 540 (AB 540), Senate Bill 2000 (SB 2000) and Senate Bill 68 (SB 68)], to receive certain types of financial aid such as private scholarships funded through public universities, state-administered financial aid, university grants, community college fee waivers, and Cal Grants. In addition, the California Dream Act, allows eligible students to pay in-state tuition at any public college in California.

The California Dream Act Application (CADAA) must be submitted between October 1st and March 2nd of the year before you will start college. High school seniors will complete the application between 10/1 and 2/2. Students must renew their CADAA every year!

California Dream Act Application (CADAA) - Below are the basic requirements for the CADAA:

• Students are eligible to complete the CADAA if they:

• are undocumented;

• have a valid or expired DACA;

• have a U Visa;

• have Temporary Protected Status (TPS); or

• meet the non-resident exemption requirements under AB 540.

What are the non-resident exemption requirements under AB 540?

Students must meet all four (4) requirements to be eligible:

• Time and coursework requirements:

• High school attendance in California for three or more years, OR

• Attainment of credits earned in California from a California high school equivalent to three or more years of full-time high school coursework and a total of three or more years of attendance in California elementary schools, California secondary schools, or a combination of those schools. OR

• Attainment of credits earned at a California adult school, OR

• Credits earned at a California Community College, OR

• A combination of the schools listed above

• Degree or unit requirements (completion of either of the following):

• Graduation from a California high school or the equivalent (GED, HiSET, CHSPE, TASC)

• Attainment of an Associate degree from a California Community College

• Fulfillment of the minimum transfer requirements from a California Community College to a UC or CSU campus

• Register or enroll in an accredited and qualifying CA college or university

• Submit a signed “Non-Resident Exemption” Request

• Also known as an “AB 540 affidavit.”

• The affidavit states that students meet all the requirements to qualify for a non-resident exemption under AB 540 and, if undocumented, are in the process of legalizing their immigration status (or will do so as soon as they are eligible to).

• While the various post-secondary public systems have generated their own version of the AB 540 affidavit, it is a good idea to download the form from the college in which the student will enroll - below are a few examples:

1. AB540 Affidavit Sample (UCLA)

2. AB540 Affidavit Sample (CSU)

3. Recommendations:

• If attending a 4-year college, when the student accepts admission, download an affidavit form from the college and follow campus instructions (some campuses require electronic upload).

• If attending a California State University (CSU), download an affidavit form from the college and follow campus instructions (some campuses require electronic upload). Additionally, send a copy to each CSU when asked to submit the CSU Residency Questionnaire

• If attending a 2-year college, submit an affidavit as soon as the student has a campus ID number.