Dream Act FAQ’s

The California Dream Act of 2011 allows students who meet AB540 criteria to apply for and receive certain state and institutional financial assistance programs.

First the basics-

What are the AB540 requirements?

• The student must have attended a high school (public or private) in California for three of more years

AND

• The student must have graduated form a California high school or attained the equivalent prior to the start of the term (for example: passed the GED or California High School Proficiency exam)

AND

• A student who is without lawful immigration status must file an AB540 Affidavit (California Non-Resident Tuition Exemption Request form) with the college or university stating that he or she has filed an application to legalize his or her immigration status, or will file an application as soon as he or she is eligible to do so
• Complete and submit the affidavit to Admissions Records and Evaluations

What assistance is available to AB540 students?

AB130 (scholarships)

AB130 allows students who qualify under AB540 to apply for non-state funded scholarships.  This law took effect on January 1, 2012. For more information on scholarships available to students visit www.csufresno.edu/scholarships/.

AB131  (grants)

AB 131 allows student who qualify under the AB540 to apply for and receive state-funded financial aid such as institutional grants, community college fee waivers, Cal Grant and Chafee Grant. This law takes effect on January 1, 2013. As such, eligible AB540 students at CSU Fresno who complete the Dream Application will be considered for funding in Spring 2013.

How do I apply?

Dream Application

To apply for the programs available under AB131 you will use the Dream Application which will be available to students beginning April 2, 2012. The Dream Application will collect basic personal and income information to determine student eligibility for funding under AB131.  While the application and processing begins in April 2012; eligible Dream applicants will not begin to receive their funding until after January 1, 2013 (the date which the law becomes effective).
Students will need to complete the Dream Application every year to determine eligibility for state and institutional aid. Students should complete and submit SCHOOL NAME AB540 Affidavit (California Non-Resident Tuition Exemption Request form) in order to begin a review of your eligibility.

Now that I’ve applied, what happens next?

Our school’s timeline for awarding Dream Applicants is: to be determined