Am I Eligible?
Different types of aid (private scholarships, state grants, etc.) have different rules, eligibility criteria, to determine who receives the aid.
U.S. Citizens and Eligible Non-Citizens
Students must meet the following requirements in order to be eligible for federal aid:
- Have a high school diploma, GED or CHSPE
- Be a U.S. Citizen or an eligible non-citizen
- Enroll in a program leading to a degree, certificate or transfer
- Not be in default on any student loan nor owe a repayment on any Title IV aid at any institution
- Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
AB540
Assembly Bills 130 & 131, known as the California Dream Act of 2011, are laws increasing access to financial aid for undocumented students who attend a public university, community college or private college in California. In order to qualify, students must meet the requirements of AB 540 and NOT be eligible to apply for the FAFSA. Students who meet these requirements must complete the California Dream Act Application.
How do I apply?
U.S. Citizens and Eligible Non-Citizens
Fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) online at www.fafsa.gov. Once the application is complete, it will take approximately 5-10 business days for your FAFSA application to be processed into the system.
AB540
Fill out the California Dream Act online at https://dream.csac.ca.gov/. Once the application is complete, it will take approximately 2 weeks for the Dream Act Application to be processed into the system.
