Dream Act Information

 dreamerDream Act & Undocumented Student Support 

What is the California Dream Act?

The California Dream Act (CADAA) became effective January 1, 2013 after the passing of AB130 and AB131. The CADAA allows eligible AB 540 students to apply for and receive several types of financial assistance, including:

  • The California College Promise Grant (fee waiver)
  • State financial aid like Cal Grant, Student Success Completion Grant, and Chafee Grant
  • Assistance from EOPS or CARE
  • Scholarships

Who should apply for CADAA?

Students who:

  • Meets AB540 residency requirements
  • Have OR had DACA
  • Have a U-visa (victims of crimes)
  • Hold TPS status (temporary protected status)

If you are unsure if any of the above applies to you  reach out to the Financial Aid  office or complete the screening at https://dream.csac.ca.gov/.

  • Who is an AB 540 Student?

    Assembly Bill 540 (AB540) allows certain non-resident students to be exempt from paying Non-California resident fees.

    You are an AB 540 student, and exempt from paying non-resident enrollment fees, if you meet all of the following criteria:

    • Graduated with a California high school diploma or have the equivalent; and
    • Attended a high school in California for three or more years; and
    • Attained high school credit equivalent to three or more years of full time attendance;
    • Are registered or enrolled at a California community college;
    • Complete an affidavit saying you have filed (or will file when you are eligible to do so) for legal immigration status.

    OR

    • Or three or more years of high school coursework and attended a combination of California elementary, secondary, and high school for three years or more.
    • Or attended a combination of California high school, adult school, and community college for the equivalent of three years or more.
    • Or attended a combination of California high school, adult school, and community college for the equivalent of three years or more.
    • Are registered or enrolled at a California community college;
    • Complete the AB540 Exemption Form

    Connect with our Admissions and Records office for more information.

  • How to submit a CADAA

    After applying to Los Medanos College, students can submit the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) online at https://dream.csac.ca.gov/

    To submit your CADAA:

    1. Create an account
    2. Complete and submit your application
    3. Add your school(s), including Los Medanos College
    4. Submit any additional documents if requested

    Be sure to apply by the March 2 priority deadline for maximum aid consideration.

  • Resources for Undocumented and Mixed Status Families
     

    I Can Go To College 

    https://icangotocollege.com/

    Brought to you by the California Community Colleges.  The one-stop resource for information on grants, loans, and scholarships.

    DREAMer’s Roadmap

    http://dreamersroadmap.org/

    Helping undocumented students find scholarship opportunities through a mobile app.

    California Dream Act FAQ's

    Information for students and parents about the California Dream Act.

    My Undocumented Life

    https://mydocumentedlife.org/

    Scholarship opportunities for undocumented students.

    Immigrants Rising

    https://immigrantsrising.org/

    Empowering undocumented your people in their pursuit of college, career, and citizenship.

    The Community College League of California (League or CCLC)

    https://ccleague.org/

    A nonprofit public benefit corporation whose voluntary membership consists of the 72 local public community college districts in California. We support locally elected trustees and college CEOs, serve their communities by advocating on their behalf in Sacramento and Washington, D.C., and by providing continuing education services and utilizing economies of scale to keep the cost of services low.

    California Community Chancellor's Office

    https://www.cccco.edu/Students

    Provides resources for undocumented students. 
    • Free Immigration Legal Services

      ALL California Community College Students, Faculty, and Staff are eligible for quality legal representation for DACA, TPS, Citizenship, Family Reunifications, Humanitarian Petitions, and other services at no cost.

      # FIND YOUR ALLY

    • Dream Act Incentive Program

      What is it?

      The California Dream Act Service Incentive Program (DSIG) encourages California Dream Act Application (CADAA) student with a Cal Grant A award that met Cal Grant B eligibility or a Cal Grant B award to perform community or volunteer service.

      To qualify for DSIG, students must meet the following requirements:

      • Complete a California Dream Act Application (CADAA) for the academic year
      • Be an active recipient of a Cal Grant A or B award Cal Grant A recipients must meet Cal Grant B eligibility
      • Be enrolled in at least six units
      • Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress
      • Complete 300 service hours at a qualifying organization (July 1 – June 30)150 hours per semester or 100 hours per quarter
      • Service must be related to the student’s field of study or a community need and cannot involve political, social, or religious advocacy

      Award Amount?

      The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) will award up to $4,500 per academic year (up to $2,250 per semester or up to $1,500 per quarter) to 1,667 eligible students. The grant will be available to the student for up to 8 semesters or up to 12 quarters while they have an active Cal Grant A or B award. Cal Grant A recipients must have met Cal Grant B eligibility .

      Where Can I Get More Information?

      Contact Ivan Urrutia, LMC Financial Aid Dream Act Coordinator, at 925-439-2185 or iurrutia@losmedanos.edu 


      Visit the California Student Aid Commission at www.csac.ca.gov/dsig for more information about eligibility,application, service requirements & service organizations. 
  • CADAA applicants may be eligible for:
    • The California College Promise Grant (CPG): Is available specifically for students at California community colleges. The CPG will waive your per-unit enrollment fee (currently $46) to a minimum of $1 per unit + student fees. 
    • Cal Grants (A, B, or C): Cal Grants are funded by the State of California and are available if you are able to meet academic, financial and eligibility requirements.  
    • Student Success Completion Grant (SSCG): Eligible students may receive up to $8,000 per year to help take additional units, stay on track, and complete their degree sooner. SSCG awards are based on enrollment level, meaning students taking more units may be eligible for higher funding.
      • If you are a full-time student and a Cal Grant B or C recipient, the SSCG provides additional funding
        • Up to:$2,596 per year for enrollment in 12–14 units per semester
        • or $8,000 per year for enrollment in 15 or more units per semester
      • This grant is in addition to your annual Cal Grant award.
        To maximize SSCG eligibility, students are encouraged to enroll in at least 15 units per semester.
    • Chafee Grant: If you are or were in foster care between the ages of 16 and 18 as a dependent or ward of the court and have financial need, you may qualify for up to $5,000.
    • Scholarships: There are many types of scholarships available, from all kinds of organizations, as well as the LMC Foundation.  Visit the LMC Scholarship webpage for more information.
    • Full Time Free Tuition Program (FTP): Los Medanos College is offering tuition-free college for all first-time, full-time students for Fall 2019. As a part of our College Promise effort, we are launching the 4CD Promise: "Full Time Free Tuition" program. 

    For more information on types of aid, click the following:

    Types of Aid

  • CADAA For Mixed-Status Families

    Students from mixed-status families have choices when applying for financial aid. Visit CADAA for Mixed Status Families (https://www.csac.ca.gov/cadaa-msf) for more information.

     

Disclaimer:
The information on this web site is compiled from various State, Federal, and college sources. It is intended to provide current and prospective students and their parents a tool to help make informed decisions about financial aid options while attending LMC. This information is subject to change due to changes in federal or state regulations, and/or district and college policy and procedures.