If your child is undocumented, or if your family has mixed immigration status, you have probably wondered whether college financial aid is even an option. Maybe someone told you it isn't. Maybe you're afraid that applying for anything puts your family at risk.
This page is here to tell you clearly: California has financial aid programs specifically for undocumented students, and applying for them does not share your information with immigration enforcement. Let's walk through exactly how it works.
What Is the California Dream Act?
The California Dream Act is a set of state laws — including AB 130 and AB 131 — that allow undocumented students who meet certain requirements to apply for state financial aid. This includes Cal Grants, Community College Board of Governors (BOG) Fee Waivers, Cal State University grants, and University of California grants.
Before the California Dream Act, undocumented students could attend California colleges but had no access to financial aid. These laws changed that. California is one of the most generous states in the country when it comes to helping undocumented students pay for college.
What Is CADAA?
CADAA stands for the California Dream Act Application. It is the financial aid application form that undocumented students use instead of the FAFSA. Think of it like this: FAFSA is the federal form for students who have a Social Security Number. CADAA is the California state form for students who don't.
Both forms collect similar information about family income and household size. The key difference is that CADAA is only for California state financial aid — it does not apply for federal grants like Pell Grants, which require a Social Security Number and lawful presence status.
CADAA vs. FAFSA: Which One Does Your Family Use?
| Question | FAFSA | CADAA |
|---|---|---|
| Who uses it? | Students with a Social Security Number and eligible immigration status | Undocumented students and some AB 540-eligible students |
| What aid can it unlock? | Federal Pell Grant, federal loans, state aid | California state grants only (Cal Grant A, Cal Grant B, BOG waiver) |
| Does it share data with immigration? | No | No |
| Deadline? | March 2 for Cal Grant priority | March 2 for Cal Grant priority |
| Where to apply? | studentaid.gov | dream.csac.ca.gov |
What Is AB 540?
AB 540 is a California law that allows certain students — including undocumented students — to pay in-state tuition rates at California public colleges and universities, rather than the much higher out-of-state or international rates. This matters enormously because it can save families tens of thousands of dollars per year.
Who Qualifies for AB 540?
To qualify for AB 540 status, your student generally must have:
- Attended a California high school for three or more years
- Graduated from a California high school, earned a GED in California, or passed the California High School Proficiency Exam
- Enrolled in or plans to enroll in an accredited California community college, CSU, or UC campus
- Filed, or agreed to file, an affidavit with the college stating they will apply for legal residency when eligible
Note: You do not have to be undocumented to qualify for AB 540. Some students with certain visa types — including some lawfully present students — may also qualify. AB 540 is about where you went to high school, not about immigration status.
What AB 540 Does NOT Do
AB 540 alone does not automatically give your student access to financial aid. Your student also needs to meet the eligibility requirements for the California Dream Act Application to receive state grant money. The two things work together.
Cal Grant B: The Aid Program Most Relevant to Your Family
Cal Grant B is a California state grant program that is especially meaningful for lower-income students — including many undocumented and mixed-status families. Unlike Cal Grant A (which is primarily for tuition), Cal Grant B includes a living allowance of over $1,600 per year in addition to tuition assistance.
To qualify for Cal Grant B, a student must generally:
- Be a California resident (or AB 540-eligible)
- Meet the income and asset ceilings set by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC)
- Have a minimum high school GPA of 2.0 (for Cal Grant B)
- File the CADAA (or FAFSA) by the March 2 deadline
- Have their GPA verified by their high school
Cal Grant B recipients can receive up to $12,630 per year at a UC campus, and different amounts at CSU and community college campuses. The grant can be renewed for up to four years at a four-year institution, or two years at a community college.
Addressing the Fear Directly
Many families in California skip financial aid entirely because they are afraid. That fear is completely understandable. Here is what the facts say:
DACA status is not required to apply for CADAA or to receive Cal Grant funds. Students who are undocumented but meet the AB 540 and Dream Act criteria may qualify regardless of DACA status.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply Using CADAA
- Create an account at dream.csac.ca.gov — your student will need an email address. No Social Security Number is required.
- Gather your family's financial information — including tax returns or income records for the prior year, bank statements, and records of any assets.
- Complete the CADAA form — it asks about household income, family size, and the student's school history. Set aside about 45-60 minutes.
- Submit by March 2 — this is the priority deadline for Cal Grants. Applications submitted after this date may still be processed but can miss the Cal Grant cycle.
- Make sure your student's high school submits GPA verification — CSAC requires this to confirm Cal Grant eligibility. Your student's school counselor can help with this.
- Watch for a financial aid award letter — once you've submitted the CADAA and been accepted to a California college, the college's financial aid office will send an award letter detailing what your student has been offered.
What About Community College?
California community colleges are an excellent option for many undocumented students. Community college fees are already lower than four-year university tuition, and AB 540-eligible students can qualify for the Board of Governors (BOG) Fee Waiver, which can eliminate enrollment fees entirely based on income.
From a community college, students can transfer to a four-year California State University or University of California campus — and Cal Grants follow them there as well. The Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) program makes this transfer pathway even more predictable for students who meet the requirements.
Common Misconceptions
"My child can't go to college because they don't have papers."
False. Undocumented students have been enrolling in California colleges and universities for years. AB 540 and the California Dream Act exist precisely to make this more accessible and more affordable.
"If we apply for financial aid, the government will know where we are."
CADAA is administered by the California Student Aid Commission, a state agency. California state law — including the California Values Act (SB 54) — limits cooperation between state agencies and federal immigration enforcement. CADAA data is not shared with ICE.
"The financial aid isn't enough to make a difference."
Cal Grant B can be worth over $12,000 per year at a UC campus. Combined with other institutional grants, that can make an enormous difference in whether college is financially possible for your family.
"My student needs to have DACA to qualify."
No. DACA status is not a requirement for CADAA or Cal Grant eligibility. AB 540 eligibility is based on high school attendance in California, not immigration status or DACA enrollment.
Resources
- CADAA application: dream.csac.ca.gov
- California Student Aid Commission: csac.ca.gov
- AB 540 information (CSU system): calstate.edu/apply/ab540
- UC Undocumented Student Resources: undoc.universityofcalifornia.edu
- College Guidance Initiative: cgifund.org — free college counseling for undocumented students
You don't have to figure this out alone.
If you have questions about CADAA, AB 540, or how to help your student plan for college, reach out. There's no cost to ask, and no judgment here — just practical help from someone who works with California families.
Email [email protected]