I am a noncitizen. Can I apply for state financial Aid?
What is the “dream act”?
The Dream Act is a set of California laws allowing some undocumented and nonresident documented students to receive state-based financial aid and institutional scholarships. For more information, including eligibility criteria, visit the California Student Aid Commission website at: http://www.csac.ca.gov/dream_act.asp.
Yes. Unlike the federal government, California does not limit all aid to “eligible noncitizens” only — meaning you can apply for some forms of aid even if you are undocumented. This includes Cal Grants, the Chafee Foster Youth Grant, Middle Class Scholarships and institutional or private scholarships. Eligible undocumented students wishing to attend public schools like those in the University of California (UC) or California State University (CSU) systems may be eligible for the Dream Loan as well.[3497] In addition, under SB 68, a law passed in 2017, undocumented students are allowed to pay discounted resident tuition if they meet certain residency and educational requirements.[3498]
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Cal. Student Aid Commission, California Dream Act FAQ (Jul 2017), available at http://www.csac.ca.gov/pubs/forms/grnt_frm/california_dream_act_faq.pdf. ↑
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See Cal. Edu. Code § 68130.5. ↑