California Dream Act Application (CADAA)

California Dream Act Application (CADAA)

The California Dream Act Application allows students interested in attending eligible California Colleges, Universities, and Career Education Programs to apply for state financial aid.

This application is unrelated to the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

FAFSA vs. California Dream Act Application

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and California Dream Act Application (CADAA) are both applications for financial aid. Students should only complete one of the applications based on the following citizenship requirements:

1. Students eligible to complete the FAFSA should have one of the following U.S. citizenship statuses:
   • U.S. citizen
   • Permanent resident
   • Eligible non-citizen
   • T visa holder
2. Students eligible to complete the CADAA may:
   • 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

Learn how to Apply for the Correct Financial Aid in California (PDF).

To complete your California Dream Act Application, click here, or copy and paste the following URL in your web browser – https://dream.csac.ca.gov/

CADAA Deadlines

Additional CADAA resources available here through the California Student Aid Commission.