What is the California Dream Act?

The California Dream Act (AB 130 and AB 131) allows undocumented students who meet AB 540 criteria to apply for state financial aid through the California Dream Act Application (CADAA). This includes Cal Grant A, Cal Grant B, community college fee waivers, and institutional grants from UC and CSU schools. The CADAA deadline is March 2 each year.

Can undocumented students get financial aid outside of California?

Yes. Over 20 states have passed laws allowing undocumented students to pay in-state tuition, and many have state financial aid programs open to undocumented students. States with financial aid available include New York (NYS TAP), Texas (state grants), Illinois (MAP grants), Washington, Oregon, and others. Private scholarships like TheDream.US, Golden Door Scholars, and Hispanic Scholarship Fund are available nationwide regardless of state.

Can I Get Financial Aid as an Undocumented Immigrant? 2026

Q: Can I get financial aid as an undocumented immigrant?

You cannot access federal financial aid (Pell Grants, federal loans, work-study through FAFSA). However, undocumented students in California and 20+ other states can access state financial aid through their state's Dream Act application. In California, qualifying students can receive Cal Grants worth up to $9,358/year at UC schools, full tuition waivers at community colleges, and institutional grants from UC and CSU campuses. Private scholarships are available nationwide with no immigration status requirement.

The Short Answer

Undocumented immigrants cannot access federal financial aid — no Pell Grants, no federal student loans, no work-study through FAFSA. Federal law (the Higher Education Act) bars undocumented students from these programs regardless of how long they have lived in the U.S.

But federal aid is not the only option. Over 20 states have passed laws allowing undocumented students to pay in-state tuition, and many have state-level financial aid programs. California has the most comprehensive system in the country. Private scholarships are available nationwide with no immigration status requirement.

Bottom Line

If you live in California and qualify for AB 540, apply through CADAA (not FAFSA) by March 2. This opens Cal Grants, institutional grants, and community college fee waivers. Many undocumented students at California public colleges pay little to nothing after this aid is applied — especially at community colleges where full tuition waivers are available.

Aid Type	Who Qualifies	Amount (2026)
AB 540 in-state tuition (CA)	3 years CA high school + graduation/GED	Saves $20,000–$40,000/year vs. nonresident rates
Cal Grant A (CA)	AB 540 + CADAA + income eligibility	Up to $9,358/year at UC; up to $5,742/year at CSU
Cal Grant B (CA)	AB 540 + CADAA + very low income	Up to $1,648/year access grant + tuition waiver at UC/CSU
Community College Fee Waiver (CA)	AB 540 + CADAA + income eligibility	Full tuition waiver at California community colleges
UC/CSU Institutional Aid	Varies by campus; based on CADAA	Varies — many campuses meet 100% of demonstrated need
State aid — other states	Varies by state Dream Act	Varies — NY, TX, IL, WA, OR all have programs
Private scholarships	Varies by scholarship; most have no status requirement	$500 to $33,000+ over 4 years

AB 540 — In-State Tuition (California)

AB 540 (California Education Code Section 68130.5) allows undocumented students who meet specific criteria to pay in-state tuition at California public colleges and universities — the same rates that California residents pay. At a UC campus, nonresident tuition exceeds $31,000 per year. AB 540 eliminates that entirely.

AB 540 Eligibility Requirements

You qualify if you meet all of these:

Attended a California high school for at least 3 years
Graduated from a California high school, earned a GED, or passed the California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE)
Registered or intend to register at a California community college, CSU, or UC

You do not need to be a California resident by any other definition. The 3-year high school attendance is the core requirement. Most undocumented students who attended high school in California qualify.

How to Claim AB 540

When you enroll, submit the AB 540 Affidavit (also called the "Nonresident Tuition Exemption Request") to the admissions or financial aid office. This certifies your high school attendance history. Once approved, in-state tuition is applied automatically going forward.

California Dream Act Application (CADAA)

The CADAA is the state financial aid application for undocumented students who qualify for AB 540. It is the equivalent of FAFSA for students who cannot file FAFSA. Submitting CADAA by the deadline is how you access Cal Grants and institutional aid at California public colleges.

💡 CADAA Deadline: March 2

The California Dream Act Application deadline is March 2 each year — the same as FAFSA. Filing after March 2 significantly reduces your chances of receiving a Cal Grant, as funds are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. File on time even if you are not sure you will enroll.

What CADAA Unlocks

Cal Grant A — tuition assistance for students at UC, CSU, and qualifying private colleges
Cal Grant B — living expenses and tuition support for very low-income students
Cal Grant C — support for occupational and vocational training programs
Community College Board of Governors (BOG) Fee Waiver — full tuition waiver at California community colleges
UC and CSU institutional grants — many campuses award additional need-based aid on top of Cal Grants

How to Apply

Apply at csac.ca.gov under the California Dream Act Application. You will need:

Social Security Number is not required — leave that field blank or enter "000-00-0000"
Parent financial information (income, assets) — even if your parents are also undocumented
The school code for the California college you are attending or applying to
Your AB 540 affidavit (or confirmation that you have submitted it to your school)

✅ Privacy

CADAA information is submitted to the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC), a state agency. CSAC does not share applicant information with federal immigration enforcement agencies. Many families with undocumented parents successfully complete CADAA each year.

Financial Aid Outside California

California has the most comprehensive state aid system, but other states have similar programs. The map of which states allow in-state tuition and state financial aid for undocumented students continues to expand. As of 2026, the following states have meaningful aid available:

New York

The NY Dream Act (2019) opened the NYS Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) to undocumented students who meet residency and income requirements. TAP awards up to $5,665/year.

Texas

HB 1403 (2001) allows undocumented students to pay in-state tuition. State financial aid is available to students who meet Texas residency requirements and have lived in the state for 3 years before graduation.

Illinois

The Illinois DREAM Act allows undocumented students to apply for state-funded scholarships and the Monetary Award Program (MAP) grant. The MAP grant can provide up to $6,000/year for low-income students.

Washington

Washington's State Need Grant and College Bound Scholarship are available to undocumented students who qualify for in-state tuition under SB 5687. The State Need Grant can cover tuition at community colleges.

Oregon

Oregon allows undocumented students to pay in-state tuition and access the Oregon Opportunity Grant. Students must have attended Oregon high school for 3 years and graduated.

Other States

Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, and others allow in-state tuition. State financial aid availability varies — check your state's higher education agency directly.

Private Scholarships

Hundreds of private scholarships exist for undocumented and DACA students. These require no SSN, no lawful immigration status, and can be combined with state grants and institutional aid. They are available to students in any state.

National Scholarships

TheDream.US Scholarship — for DACA and TPS holders attending partner schools; up to $33,000 over 4 years ($8,250/year). One of the largest scholarships available specifically for undocumented students.
Golden Door Scholars — merit-based; for undocumented students regardless of DACA status; covers full tuition plus mentorship and professional development support.
Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) — awards $500–$5,000/year; some programs are open to DACA holders; large national pool with many award levels.
Immigrants Rising Emergency Fund — emergency financial support for undocumented California students facing unexpected financial hardship; not limited to tuition.
United We Dream Scholarships — maintains an updated list of scholarships for undocumented students at unitedwedream.org.

California-Specific Scholarships

UC Campus Scholarships for AB 540 Students — most UC campuses have dedicated scholarship funds for AB 540 students. Contact your campus's undocumented student services office for current offerings.
CSU Chancellor's Doctoral Incentive Program — for graduate-level undocumented students pursuing doctoral degrees at CSU.
Community foundation scholarships — local community foundations throughout California maintain scholarships open to undocumented applicants. These are underutilized and often go unclaimed.

💡 Strategy: Apply to Many

Most private scholarships award $500–$5,000 — small individually but they add up fast. Treat scholarship applications like a part-time job during your senior year. Use your school's financial aid office; UC and CSU campuses often maintain private lists of scholarships available to AB 540 students that are never publicly advertised. Many campus-based awards go unclaimed every cycle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fill out FAFSA as an undocumented student? +

No. FAFSA is only for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and certain visa holders. Undocumented students — including DACA recipients — are not eligible for FAFSA or federal financial aid. In California, use CADAA instead. In other states, check whether your state has a Dream Act application.

Can DACA recipients access more aid than other undocumented students? +

In California, DACA and undocumented students both qualify for AB 540 and CADAA — state aid access is essentially the same. Some private scholarships (like TheDream.US) are limited to DACA and TPS holders, so DACA recipients have access to a slightly wider scholarship pool. Federal aid remains unavailable to both groups.

Is my immigration status safe when I apply for CADAA? +

CADAA is submitted to the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC), a California state agency. CSAC does not share application information with federal immigration agencies. Many families with undocumented parents successfully complete CADAA each year. If you have specific concerns about your situation, consult an immigration attorney before applying.

Does my college need to know my immigration status? +

California public colleges are prohibited from denying admission based on immigration status and are not required to ask. When submitting the AB 540 affidavit, you are certifying your high school attendance history — not your immigration status. Many students voluntarily identify as undocumented on applications because it enables access to campus support services, legal resources, and additional scholarship opportunities.

What if I live in a state with no Dream Act? +

If your state does not have a Dream Act or state financial aid for undocumented students, your options are private scholarships (available nationally), institutional aid from private universities (many private colleges have their own aid programs not tied to federal status), and transferring to a community college in a state with stronger aid — California community colleges offer full tuition waivers for AB 540 students regardless of which state you grew up in, as long as you now reside in California.