Dream Act

Not a US Citizen or Permanent resident? If you qualify as an AB540 student you may be eligible for state financial aid under the California Dream Act. AB 540 allows non-resident students who meet certain qualifications to pay in-state tuition. These students may include undocumented students, students who are US citizens but who are not CA residents,and dependent students whose parents are not CA residents. AB 540 students are those who:

• Have attended a CA high school for a minimum of three years; or

• Attainment of credits in California from a California high school equivalent of at least three or more years of full-time high school coursework and a total of three or more years of attendance in California Elementary schools, California secondary schools, or a combination of those schools.

• Graduated or will graduate from a California high school or attainment of General Education Development (GED), High School Equivalency Test (HiSET), or Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC), and

• Will register or enroll in an accredited and qualifying California college or university, and

• If applicable, complete an affidavit to legalize immigration status as soon as eligible, and

• Do not hold a valid non-immigrant visa (F, J, H, L, A, B, C, D, E, etc.)**

**If you have Temporary Protected Status or hold a U Visa you may be eligible for the California Dream Act.

Please contact our Admissions Office to determine if you are AB 540 eligible.

Available Types of Aid

  • California College Promise Grant
  • State financial aid like Cal Grants and Chafee Grants
  • Assistance from EOPS, CARE or CalWORKs
  • Privately-funded scholarships

Where do I Start?

  1. Find a California public college near you, and explore the majors and course offerings, and cost to attend
  2. Complete the admissions process for the college you have selected to attend.
  3. The Clovis Community College Admissions & Records Office will contact potential AB 540 eligible students at the email address listed on the Admissions Application regarding AB 540 eligibility criteria, and the deadline to submit the required AB 540 Affidavit Form.
  4. Apply for financial aid by completing the Dream Act Application. Need assistance completing your Dream Act application? Our office can help! Come into the CCC Financial Aid Office to receive assistance in completing the application
  5. Meet with counselors Carla Stoner-Brito or Nancy Chavero to develop a plan to assist you to achieve your educational goals. Call 559-325-5230 to schedule an appointment.

NOW THAT I'VE APPLIED, WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  1. Your Dream Act application will be processed by the California Student Aid Commission and sent to each college you listed on your application. Processing occurs continuously for new applicants throughout academic year; October 1st 2019 - June 30th 2021).
  2. Create a Web Grants for Students account to monitor your Cal Grant Award.
  3. The Clovis Community College Financial Aid Office will determine if you are eligible for a California College Promise Grant. Eligibility is determined by financial need and your AB 540 residency status as determined by Admissions & Records (Early March 2020).
  4. The Financial Aid Office will send you an email to your student email account if any documents are needed to complete your financial aid file.
  5. Submit any requested financial aid forms to the Clovis Community College Financial Aid Office.

Several types of state and institutional aid are available to AB 540 students as a result of the California Dream Act.

Chart of Available Aid for AB 540 Students

Several types of state and institutional aid are available to AB 540 students as a result of the California Dream Act.

Check out the chart below for additional information, eligibility and application timing. You can also link directly to several of the required applications from the chart, under the "Type of Application Required" column.

Available Aid for AB540 Students
Grant / Scholarship When to Apply Who do I contact, or where do I apply? What is it? Type of application required.
Privately Funded Institutional Scholarships Apply annually by deadlines - check with your college Scholarship or Financial Aid Offices Helps pay for education-related expenses Institutional application(s). CCC Scholarship Application
California College Promise Grant Apply now for Fall 2020 term and annually thereafter Financial Aid Office Waives community college enrollment fees for eligible students California Dream Act Application* or CA College Promise Form
Assistance from CalWORKs Apply now CalWORKs Offices Varies; may include services such as tutoring, book vouchers or other types of financial aid for those who meet specific eligibility requirements Institutional application(s)
Community Community College Transfer Entitlement Cal Grant A or Cal Grant B October 1 - March 2, 2020 for the Fall 2020 term Financial Aid Office or California Student Aid Commission Grant award covering tuition and education-related expenses for eligible students transferring to a baccalaureate degree granting institution California Dream Act Application* and GPA Verification Form**
Cal Grant B - Entitlement October 1 - March 2, 2020 for the Fall 2020 term Financial Aid Office or California Student Aid Commission Grant award covering education-related expenses for eligible recent high school graduates California Dream Act Application* and GPA Verification Form**
Cal Grant C October 1 - March 2, 2020 for the Fall 2020 term (number of awards are limited) Financial Aid Office or California Student Aid Commission Grant award covering education-related expenses for eligible students in occupational or career technical programs California Dream Act Application* and Cal Grant C Supplemental Application and GPA Verification Form**
Chafee Grant Apply as soon as possible each year (applications open in January; number of awards are limited) Financial Aid Office or California Student Aid Commission Grant award covering education-related expenses for eligible foster youth California Dream Act Application* and Chafee Grant Application

* To apply for any or all of the financial aid programs requiring the California Dream Application, you only need to complete and submit ONE application.

** Refer to the GPA Verification Form available on the California Dream Act website, at www.caldreamact.org, to help determine who needs to certify your GPA. If you have further questions, check with your Financial Aid Office.