College for undocumented students in California: the complete guide

We know college can feel out of reach when you don't have papers. It is not. California has some of the strongest support in the country for students like you. Here is how to use it.

This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. DNLH is not a law office or a college office. For questions about your immigration case, talk with an immigration lawyer or a DOJ accredited representative. For questions about your aid, talk with your college's financial aid office. Free help is listed below.

On this page

1. Can I go to college in California without papers?
2. Do I qualify for in state tuition?
3. How do I claim in state tuition at my college?
4. Which aid application do I file, the Dream Act or the FAFSA?
5. How do I fill out the California Dream Act Application?
6. How do I get a Cal Grant?
7. What other grants and loans can I get?
8. How do I find scholarships and avoid scams?
9. How do I choose schools and apply?
10. How much will college cost, and how do I compare offers?
11. Is my information safe, and who supports me on campus?
12. What can I do after I graduate?
13. What changed in 2025 and 2026?
14. Where can I get free help in the Bay Area?
15. Questions people ask
16. Printables and Sources

Can I go to college in California without papers?

Yes. No California public college requires you to be a citizen to apply, enroll or graduate. Undocumented students attend the University of California (UC), the California State University (CSU) and the California Community Colleges every year.

Three California tools make it possible:

• In state tuition (AB 540). If you went to school in California, you can pay the same tuition as residents. That can save you thousands of dollars a year. See Do I qualify?
• The California Dream Act. It lets eligible students get state and college aid that does not need to be paid back, like the Cal Grant. You apply with the free CA Dream Act Application. See How do I fill it out?
• Campus support. Every community college and every CSU campus must have a staff person called a Dreamer Resource Liaison. UC is asked to have one too. Many campuses also have a Dream or Undocumented Student center.

What you cannot get: federal student aid. That means no Pell Grant, no federal work study and no federal student loans, even with DACA. In state tuition does not change that either. California aid and scholarships fill much of the gap.

You do not need DACA. In state tuition and the CA Dream Act are based on where you went to school, not on DACA. Students with no status, with expired DACA, with current DACA, with TPS or with a U visa can all qualify if they meet the school rules.

Be real about one thing. A federal lawsuit filed in November 2025 challenges California's in state tuition law and Dream Act aid. As of October 21, 2026, we found no court order that changes them. Read What changed in 2025 and 2026? and keep applying.

More: Yes, you can still go to college in California and Paying for college in California, whatever your status.

Do I qualify for in state tuition?

You likely qualify if you went to school in California for about three years and finished high school or its equivalent here. The law is California Education Code 68130.5, known as AB 540. It covers UC, CSU and the community colleges. You must meet all four parts below.

1. Time in California schools. One of these two:

• Three full time years, or the same amount of time, at any mix of a California high school, a California adult school (including community college noncredit classes) and a California community college. The years do not need to be in a row, and partial years count.
• The early graduate path: three years of California high school coursework, plus three years total at California elementary, middle or high schools.

Some numbers that help you count:

• At an adult school or in community college noncredit classes, a full time year is at least 420 class hours.
• At a community college, full time is 12 units a semester. Since January 1, 2023, there is no longer a two year cap on counting community college years (SB 1141).
• UC counts 72 semester units of community college, with no high school or adult school, as enough.

2. Finish line. One of these, done before your first college term:

• A diploma from a California high school
• A California equivalent, such as the GED, HiSET or CHSPE
• An associate degree from a California community college
• The minimum transfer requirements from a California community college to UC or CSU

3. Enrollment. You are signing up for, or already in, an accredited California college.

4. The affidavit. If you have no lawful status, you sign a statement that you have applied, or will apply, to legalize your status as soon as you are eligible. Signing it is not an immigration filing. The information you give for this exemption is confidential under the law.

Who cannot use AB 540. People on most nonimmigrant visas, like F student visas or B tourist visas, cannot. T and U visa holders are the exception and can. At UC, students with TPS or DACA may be able to get resident classification, and may qualify for AB 540. CSU lists DACA, asylum, refugee, certain parolees, SIJ, T and U visa holders among those who can set up residency. If you have any status, ask the campus residence office which path fits you.

What AB 540 does and does not do. It waives the higher nonresident tuition. It does not make you a California resident, and it does not open federal aid.

Common mistakes:

• Counting only high school. Adult school and community college time can count too.
• Waiting to finish a GED until after the first college term. It must be done before.
• Throwing out old report cards. You may need transcripts from every California school. Request them early.

More: In state tuition for undocumented students, Who qualifies for in state tuition? and How do I track my years of school?

How do I claim in state tuition at my college?

File the CA Dream Act Application and sign the AB 540 affidavit inside it. Then follow your campus's steps. The exemption is not automatic. If you skip a step, you can be billed the much higher nonresident price.

The affidavit in the Dream Act Application. The CA Dream Act Application has a short AB 540 section. CSAC sends it to every California college you list. By state law (AB 1540, 2023), CSU and the community colleges must accept the affidavit you send this way. UC says students who complete it in the Dream Act Application do not need a separate UC affidavit.

At UC:

1. After you accept your admission offer, submit the Statement of Legal Residence to the campus residence deputy.
2. Be ready to send official transcripts from your California schools and proof that you graduated.
3. Do not miss the deadline. UC does not pay back nonresident tuition you were charged because you filed late.
4. Tell the residence deputy within 30 days if your situation changes. You do not need to reapply each year while you stay enrolled and nothing changes.

At CSU:

1. Send official transcripts to the admissions office.
2. Some campuses also ask for the CSU Nonresident Tuition Exemption form. San Jose State, for example, says students who filed the Dream Act Application do not need a separate form but still need official final transcripts.
3. Check your campus deadline. At San Jose State, the form is due by the last day of the semester. If you are late, the exemption starts the next term.
4. Asking for the exemption does not pause your bill. Pay any charge due by the campus deadline, or call the office right away.

At a community college:

1. Apply to the college and answer the residency questions.
2. Turn in the AB 540 affidavit through the Dream Act Application or the college's own form.
3. Ask Admissions and Records to confirm you are coded as exempt before you pay.

What to bring: transcripts from every California school you count, your diploma or GED, and a copy of what you submitted. Keep a folder.

If you were billed as a nonresident: go to Admissions and Records and the Dreamer Resource Liaison the same week. Bring your transcripts and the script below.

More: How do I fill out the AB 540 affidavit?, How do I get the CSU tuition exemption? and How do I request the AB 540 form?

Which aid application do I file, the Dream Act or the FAFSA?

If you are undocumented, have DACA, TPS or a U visa: file the CA Dream Act Application, not the FAFSA. The FAFSA is for U.S. citizens and eligible noncitizens. File only the one that fits you.

For mixed status families. This is new. CSAC now lets U.S. citizen and eligible noncitizen students whose parent or spouse is undocumented use the CA Dream Act Application if they do not want to file a FAFSA. You still must meet the AB 540 school rules to use it.

The tradeoff is real:

• The FAFSA considers you for federal, state and college aid. That includes the Pell Grant and federal loans. A parent without a Social Security number must create an account, give consent and enter tax information by hand.
• The CA Dream Act Application considers you for state and college aid only. CSAC says this information is used only for state aid and is never shared with the federal government or used for immigration enforcement.

CSAC tells mixed status families to consider talking with an immigration attorney before choosing. That is good advice if a parent has an open immigration case or is worried.

If you filed the wrong one: file the right application right away, and tell your financial aid office.

Never enter a fake or borrowed Social Security number on any form. Leave it blank if the form allows.

More: FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application: which one? and My parent is undocumented. Can I still file the FAFSA?

How do I fill out the California Dream Act Application?

Set aside about an hour with a parent, file online at dream.csac.ca.gov, and get it in by March 2. The 2027 to 28 application opened October 1, 2026. It is free. File a new one every year you are in college.

Before you start, gather:

• Your 2025 tax return, or W-2s if you did not file taxes. Same for your parents.
• Current balances of cash, savings and checking, plus any investments or business value.
• The names, cities and dates of every California school you attended.
• Up to 10 California colleges you might attend.
• A personal email you will keep. Do not use a school email.

Steps:

1. Go to dream.csac.ca.gov and create an account. Answer the first questions that check if you can use this application.
2. Choose the right school year: 2027 to 28 if you start college in fall 2027.
3. Fill in your information. The Social Security or ITIN box is optional. Leaving it blank does not hurt your state aid.
4. Fill in the AB 540 section and sign the affidavit.
5. Add parent information if you are a dependent. Most single students under 24 are. Parents who live in another country can still be entered.
6. Get one parent's signature. Your parent can sign during your session or later online. Your application is not processed without it.
7. Review the confirmation page and fix mistakes.

What happens next:

• CSAC emails you a nine digit Dream ID. Use it to create a WebGrants 4 Students account.
• In WebGrants, check your status, confirm your GPA is on file and see your Cal Grant.
• Colleges may ask you for more papers, like proof of income. Answer fast. Your aid can wait until you do.

If you can't get parent information: finish what you can and call your college's financial aid office. Do not just stop.

Paid preparers are not allowed on this application. Free help is everywhere. CSAC runs free Cash for College workshops from October 1 to June 30, and many high schools and colleges hold help nights.

Chose the wrong year? Complete the correct year's application right away.

Foster youth: if you were in foster care at least one day between ages 16 and 18, you may also get the Chafee Grant. File the Dream Act Application or FAFSA plus the one time Chafee application.

More: How to apply for the CA Dream Act, How do I apply for the California Dream Act? and When is the Dream Act deadline?

How do I get a Cal Grant?

File the CA Dream Act Application and make sure your GPA reaches CSAC by March 2. The Cal Grant is California's main grant. You do not pay it back. There is no separate Cal Grant application.

To qualify, you must:

• Show financial need and fall under the income and asset limits
• File the FAFSA or Dream Act Application on time
• Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or eligible noncitizen, or meet AB 540
• Have a verified GPA (or certain test scores) on file with CSAC
• Be working toward your first undergraduate degree or certificate, at a Cal Grant school
• Enroll at least half time and keep good grades

Two kinds of awards:

• Entitlement awards are guaranteed if you qualify. There are three: for high school seniors and last year's graduates (deadline March 2), for community college students (deadline September 2), and for students transferring from a community college to a four year school (minimum 2.4 GPA, deadline March 2).
• Competitive awards are limited, about 13,000 a year, for students who do not get an entitlement award.

Cal Grant C helps with job training and technical programs and has no GPA requirement. A Cal Grant lasts up to four years of full time study for most students. The amount depends on the award type and your school. For 2026 to 27, the Legislative Analyst's Office lists the most a new full time student could get for tuition as $15,588 at UC, $6,838 at CSU and $9,358 at a private nonprofit college. Cal Grant B adds an access award for living costs: $1,648, or $6,000 for students with children and for foster youth. 2027 to 28 amounts depend on the next state budget.

Steps:

1. File the Dream Act Application by March 2, 2027 (September 2, 2027 if you will start at a community college).
2. One week later, log in to WebGrants 4 Students. Check that your GPA is listed.
3. If your GPA is missing, call your high school or college right away. Most schools send it for you, but it is your job to check.
4. Starting in February, confirm your school of attendance in WebGrants to claim your award.

Common mistakes:

• Missing March 2. It is a hard deadline for most new awards.
• Assuming your GPA was sent. Seniors who opted out of GPA reporting can be missed. Check WebGrants.
• Not reapplying. You must file the Dream Act Application every year.

More: How do I make sure I'm considered for a Cal Grant?

What other grants and loans can I get?

Several, and most come from the same Dream Act Application. One application considers you for state grants, college grants, the community college fee waiver and some scholarships.

Grants you do not pay back:

• California College Promise Grant. It covers the $46 per unit enrollment fee at community colleges for eligible students. Apply with the Dream Act Application or the college's fee waiver form.
• Middle Class Scholarship. For students at UC, CSU or a community college bachelor's program. AB 540 students qualify. No separate application. For 2026 to 27 the income and asset limit was up to $250,000. CSAC has not posted the 2027 to 28 limit yet, so check the Middle Class Scholarship page before you count on it. The amount depends on your costs and other aid.
• State University Grant at CSU. CSU says you are considered automatically when you file the Dream Act Application.
• UC and campus grants. UC and private colleges give their own aid. File the Dream Act Application to be considered.
• Dream Act Service Incentive Grant (DSIG). Up to $4,500 a year ($2,250 a semester) for Dream Act students who have an active Cal Grant A or B and do 300 hours of community service a year. You apply separately in WebGrants each year, from July 1 until June 30 or until all 1,667 awards are used up. Apply early.

Loans (you pay these back):

• California Dream Loan. UC's version is for AB 540 undergraduates with need, at least half time. You can borrow up to $4,000 a year and $20,000 total. Interest matches the federal subsidized loan rate. No interest grows while you are enrolled at least half time, and repayment starts six months after you leave school. CSU offers the California Dream Loan too. Graduate students can borrow more: up to $20,500 a year and $118,500 total under state law.
• Private loans. Before you apply, ask the lender whether you need a Social Security number, and whether you need a cosigner who is a citizen or green card holder. Borrow only after you use every grant.

Common mistakes:

• Taking a loan before reading every grant on your offer.
• Forgetting the separate DSIG application.
• Not answering a verification request, which can hold up all your aid.

More: What state financial aid can undocumented students get? and Can undocumented students get loans for grad school?

How do I find scholarships and avoid scams?

Start with lists made for students without papers, apply to many, and never pay to apply. Many private scholarships do not ask about status.

Where to look:

• Immigrants Rising scholarship list. It includes only awards that do not require proof of citizenship. It shows awards due in the next 90 days. Filter by school level, state and status. On a phone, switch to desktop view.
• MALDEF Scholarship Resource Guide 2027 to 2028. Posted September 2026. Many awards in it do not ask about status or a Social Security number.
• Silicon Valley Community Foundation. One application covers close to 700 scholarships a year. Its search has a filter for non citizens, including AB 540 and DACA students. The last cycle closed February 27, 2026. The 2027 dates were not posted when we checked.
• Peninsula College Fund. For first generation seniors at high schools in San Mateo or Santa Clara County going to a four year college, with a 3.0 to 4.0 unweighted GPA and financial need. Its application is open to undocumented and DACA students. The scholarship renews for four years. The last cycle ran November 19, 2025 to February 6, 2026; the next dates were not posted when we checked.
• Your college. Check your campus scholarship portal and the Dream center.

About TheDream.US. Its national scholarship does not go to undocumented students in California, because California already offers strong state aid. Do not count on it if you live here.

How to apply well:

1. Keep a list with each name, deadline, amount and what it asks for.
2. Write one strong personal essay. Change it to fit each prompt.
3. Ask for recommendation letters at least three weeks ahead.
4. If an application asks for a Social Security number, ask the funder if it is required. Never use a fake one.

Scam signs. Walk away if someone:

• Charges a fee to apply or to "hold" your award
• Guarantees you will win
• Asks for your bank or card number
• Says you won a contest you never entered

Report scams to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to the California Attorney General.

More: Scholarships for students without papers, How do I apply for scholarships without citizenship? and How do I start a scholarship essay?

How do I choose schools and apply?

Apply in the fall of senior year, pick a mix of schools, and answer the status questions honestly. Your status does not stop you from applying anywhere in UC, CSU or the community colleges.

Your three main choices:

• Community college. Lowest cost. Open to everyone. A strong path to transfer to UC or CSU. Time there can also count toward AB 540.
• CSU. 22 campuses. Lower tuition than UC.
• UC. Nine undergraduate campuses. Higher cost, but strong campus aid for students with need.

Private colleges in California can also accept the Dream Act Application and give their own aid. Ask each one.

Key dates for fall 2027:

Many CSU campuses and majors still take applications after the priority period. Check the CSU "Is your campus still accepting applications?" tool.

Answering the status questions:

• UC: on citizenship, "No Selection" is a valid answer. If you choose it, UC will not ask about permanent residency or visas. For the Social Security number, use a valid number, a number for work (usually from DACA) or an ITIN. If you have none, leave it blank. The number must match your Dream Act Application. UC says it will not use your status outside the admissions process except for real school needs, like financial aid. UC fee waivers are available to AB 540 undocumented students who meet income rules.
• CSU: San José State tells undocumented applicants, including DACA recipients, to choose "none" for citizenship in Cal State Apply. If you have a Social Security number for work (from DACA, TPS or a work permit), enter it. If you have none, skip the field (checked October 21, 2026). Other campuses may word this differently, so ask your counselor or the campus Dreamer Resource Liaison. AB 540 students can get a Cal State Apply fee waiver for up to four campuses; Cal State Apply checks you automatically once your application is complete.
• Everywhere: never say you are a U.S. citizen if you are not. A false claim to citizenship can block future immigration options for life.

Choosing well:

1. Apply to a mix: schools you are likely to get into, schools you might, and a reach.
2. Look at each campus's undocumented student program. Visit or email it.
3. Compare real costs after aid, not the sticker price. See the next section.
4. Think about the commute and housing. Living at home can cut costs a lot.

After you are admitted: submit your Statement of Intent to Register, then do your residency and AB 540 steps right away. Send final transcripts on time. UC requires them by July 1, 2027 for fall 2027.

More: How do I fill out the UC application? and How do I apply to Cal State?

How much will college cost, and how do I compare offers?

The price on the website is not what you pay. Compare what is left after grants. Cost of attendance includes tuition, housing, food, books, transportation and health insurance.

Sample prices (in state, before aid):

• UC: about $49,078 for a new California student living on campus in 2027 to 28. Tuition is $16,278 of that. Housing and meals are the biggest part. Without AB 540, UC adds $39,270 a year in nonresident tuition (2026 to 27 rate).
• CSU: systemwide tuition of $6,838 for 2026 to 27, plus campus fees and living costs. Without AB 540, add $471 per semester unit. For 30 units, that is $14,130 more a year. Starting in fall 2027? CSU's 2027 to 28 tuition is $7,248, and nonresidents add $498 per semester unit (CSU future tuition).
• Community college: $46 per unit, which the California College Promise Grant can cover for eligible students.

How to compare offers, in five steps:

1. Write down each school's full cost of attendance.
2. Subtract grants and scholarships. This is free money.
3. Look at what is left. That is your real cost.
4. List how you would pay it: savings, family, work, a Dream Loan.
5. Put the schools side by side and pick the one you can finish.

Ways to lower costs:

• Start at a community college and transfer.
• Live at home or with family.
• Ask the financial aid office to review your offer if your family's income dropped. Bring proof.
• Apply for DSIG and scholarships every year.

Know this about food help. Since April 1, 2026, CalFresh is closed to most people without lawful status. Ask your campus Dream center what food help it offers, and see Food help.

More: How much does college cost?, How do I compare financial aid offers? and How do I budget as an undocumented student?

Is my information safe, and who supports me on campus?

California protects the information you give for state aid and in state tuition, and every community college and CSU campus has a person whose job is to help you.

What the rules say:

• CSAC says Dream Act Application information is used only for state aid and is never shared with the federal government or used for immigration enforcement.
• Information gathered for the AB 540 exemption is confidential under state law.
• The community colleges say they do not collect information on undocumented students and will not release personal information about immigration status unless a court orders it.
• A 2025 state law, SB 98, requires CSU, the community colleges and private colleges that take Cal Grants, and asks UC, to notify the campus when immigration enforcement is confirmed on campus. It took effect right away on September 20, 2025.
• Each CSU campus must name a point of contact for anyone who may face an immigration order or question on campus.

These are strong protections, but no one can promise what the federal government will do. Share only what a form requires.

Who helps on campus:

• Dreamer Resource Liaison. Required at every community college and CSU campus. Ask for them by name.
• Dream or Undocumented Student centers. Many campuses have them. They help with AB 540, aid, scholarships, mental health and legal referrals.
• Free immigration legal help. The community colleges offer free legal consultations, DACA renewals and more to students, staff and faculty, with priority for undocumented students (book through findyourally.com). CSU campuses offer free legal services, such as San Jose State's UndocuSpartan program. UC has a free Immigrant Legal Services Center for students and immediate family at nine campuses, and UC Berkeley offers its own.

Know your rights if agents come. You can stay silent. You do not have to open a door without a warrant signed by a judge. See If immigration agents come.

If you feel overwhelmed: you are not alone. Ask your campus counseling center or Dream center what support it offers. See Mental health care without fear. If you are thinking about suicide or are in danger, call or text 988, or call 911.

More: Can college students get free immigration legal help?

What can I do after I graduate?

Your degree is yours forever, and there are real paths to use it. What fits you depends on whether you have a work permit.

If you have DACA:

• Your work permit lets you work for any employer while it is valid. Renew 120 to 150 days before it ends. DACA work permits get no automatic extension.
• USCIS still renews DACA. It accepts first time requests but does not decide them because of a court order.
• See DACA in 2026: the complete guide.

If you do not have a work permit:

• Work for yourself. Federal law requires employers to check work papers for employees on Form I-9. Independent contractors are not employees, and businesses do not fill out an I-9 for them. You can pay self employment tax with an ITIN. Get advice before you start. See Earning a living without a work permit and Start a business without a Social Security number.
• Get a professional license. California licensing boards under the Department of Consumer Affairs, the State Bar and the Department of Real Estate may not deny you a license only because of your status. You can apply with an ITIN instead of a Social Security number. A license does not replace work papers if an employer hires you as an employee. See Get a professional license without a Social Security number.
• Become a lawyer. California law lets the state Supreme Court admit an applicant who is not lawfully present. See Can undocumented people become lawyers?

Graduate school:

• Graduate and professional schools set their own admission rules. Ask each one how it handles applicants without a Social Security number.
• AB 540 can cover graduate tuition at UC and CSU. The law has no undergraduate only limit, and UC San Diego's Graduate Division says AB 540 students pay in state tuition. Graduate students can also get a California Dream Loan, up to $20,500 a year. See Can undocumented students get loans for grad school?
• Some loans exist for graduate students with DACA or TPS, like the Dreamers Graduate Loan Program. Funding is limited and terms can change.
• See Go to law school and Grad school scholarships.

Check your options for status. Before or after graduation, get a free screening with an immigration lawyer or DOJ accredited representative. Some people find a path they did not know about, through family, an employer or something that happened to them. Do not pay a notario.

More: After college: work, licenses and next steps

What changed in 2025 and 2026?

California's programs are still running, but they face a federal lawsuit. Here is only what we could confirm.

• Federal lawsuit against California (November 20, 2025). The U.S. Department of Justice sued California in federal court in Sacramento (United States v. Newsom). It challenges the in state tuition law, Dream Act aid and the Dream Loan. UC, CSU and the community colleges are named. California asked the court to dismiss the case, and the judge has had that request under submission since January 16, 2026 (court docket). As of October 21, 2026, we found no ruling: the docket copy we could read runs through April 1, 2026, and the Presidents' Alliance tracker (updated October 5, 2026) says "Awaiting order." The laws have not been struck down in California. Keep applying.
• Other states. The federal government sued many states over in state tuition for undocumented students in 2025 and 2026. A national tracker reports that some states lost their programs, including Texas, and others won, including Minnesota and Virginia. Those rulings do not apply in California.
• SB 98 (September 20, 2025). California colleges must alert the campus when immigration enforcement is confirmed there. UC is asked to do the same.
• Mixed status families (2026). CSAC now lets U.S. citizen students with undocumented parents use the CA Dream Act Application instead of the FAFSA.
• Middle Class Scholarship. The income and asset limit rose to $250,000 for 2026 to 27, up from $234,000.
• 2027 to 28 cycle. The CA Dream Act Application and the FAFSA opened October 1, 2026. The Cal Grant deadline is March 2, 2027.
• CalFresh. Since April 1, 2026, it is limited mostly to citizens, green card holders and some others.
• DACA. USCIS still renews DACA and still holds first time requests. Renewals take longer than before. See DACA in 2026.
• Community college legal fee help. The community colleges' fund to pay DACA filing fees has been used up. Free legal consultations continue.

Where can I get free help in the Bay Area?

Start with your school, then the state, then a nonprofit. These are free or low cost public offices and nonprofits. Contact them to confirm hours, languages and openings. Being listed here is not a referral or a promise of service.

For aid and applications:

• CSAC Student Support: (888) 224-7268, studentsupport@csac.ca.gov
• Cash for College workshops: free, October 1 to June 30, online and in person. Find one at cash4college.csac.ca.gov.
• Your high school counselor and your college's financial aid office and Dreamer Resource Liaison
• UC questions for undocumented applicants: undoc@ucop.edu
• Community college AB 540 questions: AB540@CCCCO.edu

For scholarships:

• Peninsula College Fund (San Mateo and Santa Clara County seniors)
• Silicon Valley Community Foundation scholarships

For immigration legal help:

• Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto (CLSEPA): (650) 326-6440, 1861 Bay Road, East Palo Alto. Walk ins Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For low income residents of San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.
• Immigration Institute of the Bay Area, Redwood City: consultations by appointment, (650) 587-1558
• San Mateo County Immigrant Services: (650) 363-4194
• Community college students: free legal services through findyourally.com. College of San Mateo offers Zoom, phone or in person visits.
• San Jose State students: UndocuSpartan legal services, 408-924-2762, undocuspartan@sjsu.edu

More: Free legal help in the Bay Area and 211: free help finding local services

Questions people ask

Do I need DACA to go to college or get aid? No. In state tuition and the CA Dream Act are based on California schooling. See Can I go without papers?

Can I get a Pell Grant or federal loans? No. Undocumented students, including those with DACA, cannot get federal student aid. California aid and scholarships fill much of the gap.

My DACA expired. Can I still use the Dream Act Application? Yes. CSAC lists students with valid or expired DACA as eligible if they meet AB 540.

I went to school in another state before moving here. Do I qualify for AB 540? Maybe. You need three years in California schools, or the early graduate path, plus a California diploma or equivalent. Community college or adult school time here can fill the gap. See Do I meet the AB 540 rules?

I got a GED, not a diploma. Does that count? Yes, a California GED, HiSET or CHSPE counts if you finish it before your first college term.

Will signing the AB 540 affidavit hurt my immigration case? The affidavit says you will apply to legalize your status when you are eligible. The law keeps the information confidential. If you have an open case, ask a lawyer first. See AB 540 vs. the CA Dream Act.

Is it safe for my parents to sign the Dream Act Application? CSAC says the information is used only for state aid and is never shared with the federal government or used for immigration enforcement. One parent signature is required.

I'm a citizen, but my mom is undocumented. Should I file the FAFSA? You can choose. The FAFSA opens federal aid but asks your parent to make a federal account. The Dream Act Application covers state and college aid only. See Which application?

I missed March 2. Is it too late? Not for everything. If you go to a community college, the Cal Grant deadline is September 2. Some colleges still accept the application after March 2 for their own aid. File now and call your financial aid office.

Can I work on campus? Only with a valid work permit, such as from DACA. DSIG is a service grant, not a job, and pays for volunteer hours.

Can I study abroad? Talk to an immigration lawyer before you leave the U.S. for any reason. Leaving can carry serious risks. See Can I travel outside the U.S. with DACA?

What if ICE comes to campus? Stay calm and do not run. You can stay silent and ask for a lawyer. Under SB 98, CSU and community colleges must alert the campus, and UC is asked to. See Your rights.

Can I transfer from community college to UC or CSU and keep AB 540? Yes, if you meet the rules. Finishing the minimum transfer requirements can itself count as the finish line. Send your new school the AB 540 affidavit and transcripts.

What is the difference between a scholarship and a fellowship? See Scholarship vs. fellowship.

College year checklist

Print this and keep it with your papers.

What to say to the financial aid office

Use this when you call or visit. Write the name of the person you talk to and the date.

You belong in college. California built these programs for students like you, and thousands use them every year. Take one step this week. Do not lose hope.