The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and California Dream Act Application (CADAA) are both applications for financial aid.

You should complete only one of these applications based on your citizenship status:

• Complete the FAFSA application if you have one of the following U.S. citizenship statuses:
  • U.S. citizen
  • Permanent resident
  • Eligible non-citizen
  • T visa holder
• Undocumented students and the following may be eligible to complete the California Dream Act application
  • Be undocumented
  • Have a valid or expired DACA status
  • Be a U visa holder
  • Have Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
  • Meet the non-resident exemption requirements under AB 540

DACA does not prevent students from applying for financial aid. California students who have applied for or received approval for Deferred Action should complete the CADA Application (CADAA), and NOT the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

View this help article for an in-depth comparison between the FAFSA and CADAA.