Who qualifies for the Bay Area DACA/Dreamer grant?

This page is general information, not legal advice. Mission Asset Fund (MAF) runs this program and makes every decision. We checked its page on October 21, 2026. MAF says funding is limited and not guaranteed, so check with MAF before you count on it.

Who can apply?

You must meet all of these, according to MAF's program page:

• Age: 18 or older.
• Status: a DACA recipient, or a Dreamer who came to the U.S. before age 21. The page gives two different cutoffs for the year you arrived: before 2022 in its eligibility list and before 2021 in its FAQ (checked October 21, 2026). Ask MAF which one applies to you.
• Bay Area tie: a current or past connection to Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, Sonoma or Yolo County.
• Legal help: you are working with a private attorney, or you were referred by a nonprofit legal provider.
• A real path: you are actively working toward lawful status, and your provider has confirmed you are eligible.

What does it pay for?

• USCIS filing fees, like the citizenship form (N-400)
• Attorney fees
• Expert evaluations
• The medical exam for a green card
• Interpreters

Does it pay for a DACA renewal?

Only in one case. MAF says it may cover a DACA renewal only if you are actively working toward lawful status and need the renewal to keep that case moving. A DACA renewal by itself does not qualify.

If you only need to renew, look at MAF's 0% loan for the $555 online fee instead. See What does a DACA renewal cost?

How does it work?

1. Pre apply online on the program page.
2. If you qualify, MAF emails you the full application.
3. MAF reviews it, usually in about 5 business days.
4. Ask for money when you need it, one request at a time, with receipts. Each request can take up to 10 business days.
5. Get paid on a virtual card. It can only be used for approved costs and cannot be turned into cash.
6. Ask again until you reach $5,000 in total. Only one request can be in process at a time.

You can also ask to be paid back for approved costs you already paid on or after July 1, 2025.

What does a request look like?

A made up example, not a real case. Ana has DACA and lives in Daly City. She married a U.S. citizen, and a nonprofit lawyer is preparing her green card case.

1. Her lawyer confirms in writing that she is eligible and working toward lawful status.
2. She pre applies on MAF's page and gets the full application by email.
3. After approval, her first request is for the USCIS filing fees, with the fee amounts from her lawyer.
4. Her second request, weeks later, is for her green card medical exam, with the clinic's receipt.
5. She already paid an interpreter in August 2025, so she asks to be paid back, with proof of payment. That cost was on or after July 1, 2025, so it can count.
6. Each payment comes on a virtual card she can use only for that cost.

What if I live outside these counties?

This grant is only for people tied to the 10 counties above. Elsewhere in California, MAF's 0% fee loan may help, and legal clinics may know of local funds. See Can I get money to pay for immigration fees?

What if I don't have a lawyer yet?

Start there. A nonprofit legal provider can screen you for free and tell you if you have a path, like a green card through a U.S. citizen spouse. If you do, they can refer you to this grant.

Who can help?

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

• Mission Asset Fund: programs@missionassetfund.org, program page
• Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto (for low income San Mateo and Santa Clara county residents): (650) 326-6440
• Immigration Institute of the Bay Area, Redwood City office: (650) 587-1558 to book a free first consultation (appointments only, no drop ins).
• Catholic Charities of San Mateo County (for San Mateo County residents): (650) 295-2160
• For Santa Clara County residents: Office of Immigrant Relations partners
• Anywhere in California: the state's map of free immigration legal services, or call (916) 651-8017.

If you are on a path to status, this grant was built for you. Ask for it.

Related questions

• Can I get money to pay for immigration fees?
• What does a DACA renewal cost?
• Do DACA recipients count as undocumented?