Berkeley Undergraduate Dream Act Aid

You may be eligible to receive scholarships, state grants (including the Cal Grant and the Middle Class Scholarship), institutional grants, UC Berkeley Director’s Work-Study, and/or the California Dream Loan.

You apply for this aid by completing the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) California Dream Act Application. The application for is available in October, and the priority deadline for submitting it is early Spring. Visit the CSAC website for up to date deadlines. 

You are required to qualify for an AB 540 nonresident tuition exemption to be eligible and be ineligible for federal financial aid.

CSAC will send you an email acknowledgement after your California Dream Act Application has been received. If you do not receive an acknowledgement within 30 days, please contact CSAC Student Support Branch at (888) 224-7268. 

• AB 540 Nonresident Tuition Exemption
• California Dream Act Application
  • Information and Resources
• The Achievement Award Program (UC Berkeley Scholarship for Incoming Students)
  
• Immigrants Rising
  • Immigration Legal Intake Service
  • List of Scholarships and Fellowships
• Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF)
  • Scholarship Resources
• Undocumented Student Program (USP)
  • Emergency Grant and Scholarships
  • Academic Counseling
  • Mental Health Support
  • Legal Support

1. I am a prospective student applying to UC Berkeley. What types of aid will I be eligible for under the California Dream Act? How do I apply?

As a prospective student, you may be eligible for scholarships, state grants (including the Cal Grant and the Middle Class Scholarship), institutional grants, UC Berkeley Director's Work-Study, and/or the California Dream Loan. You apply for this aid by completing the California Student Aid Commission California Dream Act Application. The application is typically available in October each year, and the priority deadline for submitting it is early Spring. Apply now! If you have any questions, contact Cal Student Central.

To be eligible, you are required to qualify for an AB 540 nonresident tuition exemption and you are required to be ineligible for federal financial aid.
To determine if you qualify for and AB540 nonresident tuition exemption we encourage you to complete and submit the Statement of Legal Residence as soon as possible after you have been notified of your admission to UC Berkeley and have submitted your Statement of Intent to Register (SIR).

2. I live in another state now, but I am planning to move to California to attend college. Am I eligible for California Dream Act aid?

No. You are required to qualify for an AB 540 nonresident tuition exemption in order to receive California Dream Act aid.  If you have questions regarding your eligibility please visit the Residency Inquiries and Appeals web page.

3. I am from another state and am currently a nonresident student at UC Berkeley. Am I eligible for California Dream Act aid?

No. You are required to qualify for an AB 540 nonresident tuition exemption in order to receive California Dream Act aid.  If you have questions regarding your eligibility please visit the Residency Inquiries and Appeals web page.

4. I am an international student. Am I eligible for California Dream Act aid?

No. You are required to qualify for an AB 540 nonresident tuition exemption in order to receive California Dream Act aid.  If you have questions regarding your eligibility please visit the Residency Inquiries and Appeals web page.

5. Is this a one-time award, or can I apply every year?

You can apply each year, or each semester, if your circumstances change.

6. Can a Dream Act student receive work-study?

Dream Act students who have applied for DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) and been approved can request up to $4,000 in non-federal work-study. To do so, please contact us at Cal Student Central. Be sure to include your student ID number and how much work-study you want. Having a work-study award in your financial aid package does not guarantee that you will get a job, and it does not make you eligible for employment. You will be required to provide documentation of valid employment authorization to your employer as part of the hiring process.

7. Does the California Dream Act apply to all undocumented students?

No. The California Dream Act affects only students who are exempt from paying nonresident tuition under Assembly Bill 540 (AB 540). In addition, undocumented students are required to attest that they have filed an application to legalize their immigration status, or will file an application as soon as they are eligible to do so.

8. Is the information I report on the California Dream Act Application safe?

Yes, the California Department of Education (CDE) and the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) have released a joint statement to assure students and families that the information provided on the California Dream Act will solely be used to determine eligibility for state financial aid. The information is not shared with the federal government, and it is not used for immigration enforcement. The CDE and CSAC will work to the fullest extent of the law to protect all students who share their information through the California Dream Act.

Still Have Questions?

Contact us at:

Cal Student Central
120 Sproul Hall
Berkeley, CA 94720
(510) 664-9181

Or send us your question by opening a case.