Should I file the FAFSA or the Dream Act application?

This is general information, not legal advice.

Which one is mine?

Look at your own status. Your parents' status does not decide this.

Pick one. The CA Dream Act Application is for students who do not qualify for the FAFSA.

Do DACA recipients file the FAFSA?

No. The Student Aid Commission says students with DACA should use the CA Dream Act Application instead. The U.S. Department of Education says undocumented students, including DACA students, cannot get federal student aid. You do not need DACA or a Social Security number to use the CA Dream Act Application.

What about other statuses?

The U.S. Department of Education's Federal Student Aid Handbook (2026 to 2027) lists refugees and asylees as eligible noncitizens, so they file the FAFSA. T visa holders are eligible to the same extent as refugees. Students with only a U visa or only TPS cannot get federal aid, so they use the CA Dream Act Application if they meet AB 540. If your status is something else, or you are not sure what it is, ask your financial aid office, and talk to a lawyer or DOJ accredited representative before you write anything you are unsure of.

What is AB 540, and why does it matter here?

AB 540 is the California law that lets students who went to school here pay in state tuition. You must meet its rules to file the CA Dream Act Application and get state aid. In short: about three years of California school, plus a California high school diploma or an equivalent. See Who qualifies for in state tuition in California?

If you do not meet AB 540 yet, talk to your college. You may be able to build your years at a community college.

What if my parents are undocumented?

If you are a U.S. citizen or green card holder, you can file the FAFSA. The U.S. Department of Education says your parents' citizenship status does not affect your eligibility for federal student aid.

If your parent has no Social Security number, they can still do their part of the FAFSA. CSAC's mixed status families page says the parent makes their own account, gives consent, and types in their tax information by hand, because the automatic IRS data link does not yet work for people without an SSN. It also suggests the family consider talking with an immigration attorney.

Some families worry about sharing a parent's information with the federal government. The Student Aid Commission now lets U.S. citizens and green card holders with an undocumented parent file the CA Dream Act Application instead, if they do not want to submit a FAFSA (CSAC FAQ). The FAQ and mixed status page (checked October 21, 2026) list no first time limit, but an older, undated Commission flyer says only first time applicants can choose this. If you filed a FAFSA before, call CSAC before you switch. You can also file a FAFSA after the CA Dream Act Application if you change your mind.

Know the trade off. The FAFSA is how you apply for federal student aid. The CA Dream Act Application gets you considered for state and college aid only. Ask a financial aid counselor to help you weigh it before you choose.

Is my information safe on the CA Dream Act Application?

The Student Aid Commission says the information is used only to decide state aid. It is not shared with the federal government and not used for immigration enforcement.

What do I get from each one?

• FAFSA: federal aid, plus California aid like the Cal Grant and Middle Class Scholarship, plus college aid.
• CA Dream Act Application: California aid like the Cal Grant and Middle Class Scholarship, plus college aid. At Cal State, that includes the State University Grant and the California Dream Loan. At community colleges, it can include the California College Promise Grant, which covers the $46 per unit enrollment fee.

What do I do next?

1. Decide which form is yours using the table above.
2. Make an account and file by March 2, 2027. Some colleges take forms later, but do not wait.
3. Sign the AB 540 section if you use the CA Dream Act Application.
4. File again every year.

Who can help?

Contact them to confirm hours, languages and openings. Being listed here is not a referral or a promise of service.

• California Student Aid Commission: (888) 224-7268, studentsupport@csac.ca.gov.
• Free Cash for College workshops, October 1 to June 30: cash4college.csac.ca.gov.
• Your college's Dream Center or Dream Resource Liaison, and your high school counselor.

Related questions

• How do I fill out the AB 540 affidavit?
• How do I apply for the California Dream Act?
• When is the Dream Act deadline?

Choose your form and file it this month.