California Dream Act

The California Dream Acts — AB 130 and AB 131 — extend eligibility for certain types of institutional and state aid to students, including undocumented students, who qualify for benefits under another California law — AB 540 — which exempts students from paying nonresident supplemental tuition.

Learn more about what this law means for U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens and for undocumented students.

For U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens

If you're a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen and meet the requirements for an AB 540 nonresident tuition exemption, you may be able to pay in-state tuition and fees and also qualify for financial aid beyond the federal and institutional aid you may already be eligible to receive.

Under the law, you are eligible to apply for a Cal Grant, starting with FAFSAs submitted during January and February 2013, which could potentially pay your systemwide in-state tuition and fees for the 2013-14 school year.

What's available

You could be eligible for the following types of aid:

  • Federal financial aid (grants, loans and work study)
  • UC scholarships and grants
  • Cal Grants (beginning with the 2013-14 academic year)

What you need to do

If you think you might be eligible for an AB 540 nonresident tuition exemption, take these steps:

  1. Males under age 26 must register for the Selective Service.
  1. Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Some grants and scholarships have later deadlines, but to ensure you receive the maximum financial aid you are eligible for, submit the FAFSA by UC's priority deadline: March 2, 2013. UC scholarship procedures and deadlines vary by program and campus, but all U.S. citizens and permanent residents are encouraged to submit a FAFSA, in addition to fulfilling other requirements.
  1. After you are admitted to a UC campus where you intend to enroll, submit your Statement of Legal Residence. If you then receive a nonresident classification from the campus residence deputy, submit a California Nonresident Tuition Exemption Request or a University of California Nonresident Tuition Exemption Application and Affidavit, available at your campus registrar's office or website. You may be asked to provide official high school transcripts and proof of high school graduation.

Once you have completed these steps, the campus will notify you of any financial aid for which you are eligible.

For undocumented students

If you are not a citizen or eligible non-citizen but meet the requirements for an AB 540 nonresident tuition exemption or are in possession of an I-485 linked to a "T" or a "U" visa, you may be able to pay in-state tuition and fees and could qualify for some forms of financial aid.

What's available

You could be eligible for the following types of aid:

  • Privately funded UC scholarships
  • Other UC scholarships and grants (beginning in January 2013)
  • Cal Grants (beginning in fall 2013)

What you need to do

If you think you might be eligible for an AB 540 nonresident tuition exemption, take these steps:

  1. Males under age 26 must register for the Selective Service. A valid social security number is required for online registration. If you do not have a social security number, you must register in-person at any U.S. Post office by filling out a card, signing, and mailing it. 
  1. Submit a California Dream Application by March 2, 2013.
  1. After you are admitted to a UC campus where you intend to enroll, submit your Statement of Legal Residence. 
  1. If you then receive a nonresident classification from the campus residence deputy, submit a California Nonresident Tuition Exemption Request or a University of California Nonresident Tuition Exemption Application and Affidavit, or follow the directions of the campus residency deputy and financial aid counselors. You may be asked to provide official high school transcripts and proof of high school graduation.

Once you have completed these steps, the campus will notify you of any financial aid for which you are eligible.