California
Dream Act of 2011
The California Dream Act Applies
to Students Who Are AB 540
* ou are an AB 540 eligible student if you…
Attended a CA high school for 3 or more years;
Graduated from a CA high school or attained the
equivalent of graduation, such as passed the GED, or
CA High School Proficiency Exam;
Registered or are currently enrolled at an accredited
CA college or university; and
Filed an affidavit with your college or university stating
that you have or intend to file an application to legalize
your immigration status, if applicable.
First…..
An Overview of the California
Dream Act of 2011 which was
made law by the passage of 2
bills
AB 130 Dream Act, Part I
Signed into law on July 25, 2011
Becomes effective January 1, 2012
Allows students who meet AB 540 criteria to apply for &
receive private scholarships administered by public
colleges and universities, including
scholarships funded through private donors,
alumni contributions, or
individual college departmental efforts
AB 130 Dream Act, Part I
For AB 540 Current High School
Seniors:
NOW:
Check with your college or university financial aid or
scholarship offices to find out about scholarships
available for incoming college freshman for Fall 2012.
Spring and Fall 2012
Seek out scholarships given out at colleges and
universities available beginning for the Fall 2013 term.
AB 130 Dream Act, Part I
For AB 540 Current College
Students:
NOW:
Check with your college or university financial aid or
scholarship offices to find out about scholarships
available starting this term.
Summer & Fall 2012
Seek out scholarships given out at colleges and
universities available for college students attending in
Fall 2013.
AB 131 Dream Act, Part II
Signed into law on October 8, 2011
Becomes effective January 1, 2013
Allows students who meet AB 540 criteria to
Apply for & receive institutional grants like UC Grant, State
University Grant, Educational Opportunity Program and
Educational Opportunity Program & Services fee waivers
Apply for & receive Board of Governors fee waivers at the
California Community Colleges
Apply for & receive state financial aid, including Cal Grants and
Chafee Foster Youth Grants for use at eligible public and private
institutions
AB 131 Dream Act – Part II
For Current AB 540 High School Seniors
NOW
Keep your grades up so you can apply for a Cal Grant next
January, as a college freshman.
Spring/Summer 2012
For information about how and when to apply for
institutional grants and fee waivers, AB 540 students
contact their financial aid offices
Beginning January 2013
Apply for a Cal Grant beginning January 1, 2013 for use
beginning Fall of 2013.
Dream applicants must meet all other Cal Grant
requirements
AB 131 Dream Act – Part II
For Current AB 540 College Students
Now - Maintain your Satisfactory Academic Progress
Spring/Summer 2012
For information about how and when to apply for
institutional grants and fee waivers, AB 540 students
contact their financial aid offices
Beginning January 2013
Community college students planning to transfer to a
qualifying 4-year institution in Fall of 2013 apply for a Cal
Grant Transfer Entitlement
College students enrolled in career technical programs
apply for a Cal Grant C
Note: All other current AB 540 college students are not
eligible for Dream Act Cal Grants
Next…..
A Look at Cal Grant Eligibility
Requirements
Types of Cal Grants for which Dream
Act Students May Now Qualify
Cal Grant A Cal Grant B
• High School Entitlement • High School Entitlement
• CCC Transfer Entitlement • CCC Transfer Entitlement
Cal Grant C
General Cal Grant Eligibility
Requirements
Be a California resident, Not be in default on a
or AB 540 student Federal student loan
Be a U.S. citizen, Not have earned a BA/BS
eligible non-citizen, or degree
AB 540 student Maintain Satisfactory
Meet Selective Service Academic Progress
requirements Not be incarcerated
Attend an eligible Be enrolled at least half-time
California School
Cal Grant A
Low to middle income students (Average family income of
new Cal Grant A recipients is $44,100)
Associate and Bachelor degree programs only
Can be used for tuition and fees only
Maximum annual award amounts:
CCC - Not paid, but held in reserve until transfer to 4 year
CSU - up to $5,472
UC - up to $12,192
Independent, private for-profit - up to $9,708
(Current policy provides that Cal Grant awards are
increased to meet fee increases at the public universities)
High school GPA: minimum 3.0 (if transferring from a
community college, minimum GPA is 2.4)
Cal Grant B
Very low income students (Average family income of new Cal
Grant B recipients is $17,200)
AA, BA and Certificate programs of at least 1 year
Can be used for any school expenses including tuition and
fees*
All students at all schools get a $1,551 “Access” payment each
academic year
Students beyond their first year also get a tuition benefit equal
to the Cal Grant A tuition and fee amount if attending a school
other than a community college
High school GPA: minimum 2.0 (if transferring from a
community college, minimum GPA is 2.4)
*first time freshmen are not eligible for tuition & fee component of award
Cal Grant C
Low income students (Average family income of new Cal Grant
C recipients is $18,700)
Can be used for tuition & fees and books & supplies
AA and certificate career technical programs only
Maximum annual award amounts
Tuition and Fees - $2,592
At private vocational schools
Books and Supplies - $576
At private vocational schools and
Community colleges
Scored based on occupational factors and educational
history
Only 7,761 awards per year
The Applications
CA Dream Application (establishes financial need)
CA Dream Application submitted online at the Student Aid Commission’s
website: caldreamact.org (starting Jan 1, 2013)
GPA Verification (establishes merit)
Submitted by school to CA Student Aid Commission electronically
or
Submitted by student via mail (Cal Grant Verification Form to be
available through the Dream Application)
Transfer Entitlement Verification Form
CA Student Aid Commission will send this form to all students who
meet Transfer Entitlement requirements
Cal Grant C Supplemental Form
CA Student Aid Commission will send this to all students who meet
Cal Grant C requirements
For more information about the
Cal Grant and Dream Act, please
visit
www.caldreamact.org