California Dream Act
The California Dream Act of 2011 allows students who meet AB540 criteria to apply for and receive certain state and institutional financial assistance programs.
What are the AB540 requirements?
- The student must have attended a high school (public or private) in California for three or more years
AND
- The student must have graduated from 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 college or university 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 Admissions & Records Office located in Welch Hall Room C-290.
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. For more information on scholarships available to students visit www3.csudh.edu/student-affairs/financial-aid/scholarships/.
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. This law takes effect on January 1, 2013. As such, eligible AB540 students at CSU Dominguez Hills who complete the Dream Application will be considered for funding for the Spring 2013 semester.
Students may be selected for institutional verification of their application data. This will require the student to submit verification documents, such as information on household size, number in college, income verification, selective service verification for males, etc.
How do I apply?
2013 – 2014 Funding: Priority Application Filing period is January 1, 2013 – March 2, 2013
The online Dream Application for the 2013 – 2014 Academic year will be available beginning January 14, 2013 at http://www.csac.ca.gov/dream_act.asp.
Students who wish to apply for the Cal Grant programs in addition to SUG and EOP Grants should apply between during the priority application filing period (January 1 through March 2, 2013).