California Dream Act

Dream Act (AB540) Resources

The Counseling Center provides information and academic counseling to new and continuing undocumented students at Clovis Community College.

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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?

Find a California public college near you, and explore the majors and course offerings, and cost to attend
Complete the admissions process for the college you have selected to attend.
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.
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
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?

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 - June 30th).
Create a Web Grants for Students account to monitor your Cal Grant Award.
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).
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.
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	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)
California Community College Entitlement Cal Grant A or Cal Grant B	October 1 -September 2, for the Fall 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**
HS Entitlement Cal Grant A or Cal Grant B	October 1 - March 2, for the following Fall 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, for the following Fall 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 typically open in October; 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.