Glossary: college and financial aid words for immigrant families

This page explains college and financial aid words only. It does not define immigration terms like DACA or TPS. It is general information, not legal or financial advice.

Tuition and residency words

AB 540. A California law that lets many students who went to school in California pay in state tuition, even without lawful status. The rule is in Education Code 68130.5. In short, you need three or more full time years (or the equivalent) at a California high school, adult school or community college; a California high school diploma or equivalent (or an associate degree or transfer requirements from a community college); enrollment at a California public college; and, if you have no lawful status, a signed affidavit. People often say "AB 540" for the whole group of laws that later expanded it. Full guide: Who qualifies for in state tuition in California (AB 540).

AB 540 affidavit. A signed statement that you meet the rules and, if you have no lawful status, that you have filed or will file to legalize your status as soon as you are eligible. You can sign it inside the California Dream Act Application. Community colleges and CSU must accept that version, per AB 1540 (2023). How to do it: How do I fill out the AB 540 affidavit?

Nonresident tuition exemption. The formal name for what AB 540 gives you. It waives the extra tuition nonresidents pay. UC says it does not make you a California resident; you stay a nonresident who is exempt from the extra charge.

Nonresident supplemental tuition. The extra charge students pay at UC if they are not residents and do not qualify for the exemption. At CSU and community colleges it is called nonresident tuition.

Residency determination. The college's decision on whether you pay in state or out of state rates. At UC you file a Statement of Legal Residence after you accept admission, per UC. At CSU you send a Nonresident Tuition Exemption form with an official transcript, per CSU.

Full time attendance (for AB 540). For adult school or community college noncredit classes, a full time year means at least 420 class hours. For community college credit classes, it means 12 units a semester, per the Community College Chancellor's Office. The years do not need to be in a row.

Application words

CADAA (California Dream Act Application). The free state form for students who cannot file the FAFSA. CSAC says it is for students who are undocumented, or have a U visa or TPS, and DACA recipients should use it too. It opens Cal Grant, the Middle Class Scholarship, the Promise Grant and college grants. CSAC says the information is used only for state aid and is never shared with the federal government or used for immigration enforcement. Full guide: How to apply for the CA Dream Act.

California Dream Act. The state laws that opened Cal Grants, the Promise Grant, Chafee grants and college aid to AB 540 students, per the Community College Chancellor's Office. The CADAA is the application for that aid. AB 540 itself gives no federal aid.

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). The federal aid form. It is for U.S. citizens and eligible noncitizens. Undocumented students and DACA recipients cannot get federal aid. But a U.S. citizen student with undocumented parents should file the FAFSA, and CSAC says that student is considered for federal, state and college aid. See My parent is undocumented: can I still file the FAFSA?

Contributor. A FAFSA word for anyone who must give information on the form, such as a parent or spouse. The U.S. Department of Education says whether someone is a contributor depends on whether the student is dependent or married. A parent without a Social Security number can still be a contributor. They make their own account, give consent and type in tax information by hand, per CSAC.

Mixed status family. A family where some members are citizens or have lawful status and others do not. For aid, it usually means a citizen student with undocumented parents. That student files the FAFSA.

Dream ID. A nine digit number CSAC emails you after you submit the CADAA. You need it to make a WebGrants 4 Students account, per the CADAA FAQ.

WebGrants 4 Students. CSAC's student website. You use it to check your Cal Grant and Middle Class Scholarship status, see next steps, and change your school or address, per CSAC.

Cal Grant GPA (verified GPA). Your grade point average, sent to CSAC by your school. Cal Grant needs a FAFSA or CADAA plus a verified GPA, per CSAC. Ask your high school counselor whether they upload it for you. See How to make sure you are considered for a Cal Grant.

Priority deadline. The date by which you must apply to be considered for limited aid. For 2027 to 2028, the Cal Grant and Middle Class Scholarship deadline is March 2, 2027, per the CADAA. Colleges can set their own earlier dates. Check each one.

Money words

SAI (Student Aid Index). A number made from the information on your FAFSA. Colleges use it to build your aid offer. Federal Student Aid says it is not the dollar amount of aid you will get and not what your family must pay. It replaced the older EFC (Expected Family Contribution) starting in the 2024 to 2025 award year, and it can go as low as negative 1,500, per the U.S. Department of Education. A lower SAI usually means more need. If you see "EFC" on an old website, it means the older number.

Grant. Free money you usually do not pay back, based on need.

Scholarship. Free money based on grades, talent, background or goals. Many private ones do not ask about citizenship. See Where to find scholarships that do not require citizenship. What makes it different from a fellowship: What is the difference between a scholarship and a fellowship?

Loan. Money you borrow and must pay back. Undocumented students cannot get federal student loans, but they may get the California Dream Loan (below).

Cal Grant. California's main state grant. The Legislative Analyst's Office describes three kinds:

• Cal Grant A pays full systemwide tuition and fees at UC and CSU, and a set amount at private colleges.
• Cal Grant B pays the same tuition and adds an access award for costs like books and living expenses. For 2026 to 2027, the access award is up to $1,648 a year, or up to $6,000 for students with children and foster youth.
• Cal Grant C is for career and technical programs. CSAC says it has no GPA requirement.

Entitlement and competitive Cal Grants. Entitlement awards go to every student who meets the rules on time (for example, high school seniors and recent graduates). Competitive awards are limited, about 13,000 a year, per CSAC.

Middle Class Scholarship (MCS). State aid for students at UC, CSU, or community college bachelor's programs, including AB 540 students. There is no separate application; you are considered when you file the FAFSA or CADAA on time, per CSAC. The 2026 to 2027 income and asset limit is up to $250,000. The 2027 to 2028 limit was not posted as of October 21, 2026.

California College Promise Grant. It pays the community college enrollment fee, $46 a unit, for eligible students. You can apply with the CADAA or the Promise Grant form, per Las Positas College.

State University Grant (SUG). CSU's own need based grant toward tuition. CSU says campuses automatically consider CADAA filers for it.

California Dream Loan. A state loan for AB 540 students at UC and CSU who file the CADAA. Graduate students can get up to $20,500 a year and $118,500 in total, per Education Code 70033 and 70034. See Can undocumented students get loans for graduate school?

DSIG (Dream Act Service Incentive Grant). Up to $4,500 a year for CADAA students who already get Cal Grant A or B and complete 300 hours of community service. You apply each year in WebGrants, per CSAC.

Chafee Grant. A grant for current and former foster youth. The California Dream Act opened it to AB 540 students, per the Community College Chancellor's Office.

Pell Grant. A federal grant. Undocumented students and DACA recipients cannot get it. Citizen students from mixed status families can, through the FAFSA.

Cost of attendance. The college's estimate of a full year: tuition and fees, housing, food, books, transportation and personal costs. Aid is built against this number. For example, UC lists $49,078 for a new California resident living on campus in 2027 to 2028, per UC Admissions. Ask your college about its own number.

Aid offer (financial aid package). The letter that lists the grants, scholarships, loans and work your college offers. Compare offers by what you will owe after free money, not by the total. See How do I compare financial aid offers?

Unmet need. The gap between the cost of attendance and the aid you get. Private scholarships often ask about it.

Staying eligible

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). The grades and units you must keep to keep aid. Cal Grant lists it as a rule, per CSAC. Your college sets the exact standard. Ask the aid office.

Half time and full time enrollment. Many awards need you to take a minimum number of units. Cal Grant needs at least half time, per CSAC. Some private scholarships need full time.

Renewal. Most aid is for one year. You file the FAFSA or CADAA again every year. The 2027 to 2028 forms opened October 1, 2026, per CSAC.

People and places

Dream Center (Dream Resource Center, Undocumented Community Center). A campus office for undocumented students. Each California community college and CSU campus must name a Dreamer Resource Liaison, and UC campuses are asked to, per Education Code 66021.8. Bay Area list: Dream Centers and undocumented student programs at Bay Area colleges.

Financial aid office. The college office that builds your aid offer and answers questions about it.

Cash for College. Free CSAC workshops where volunteers help families fill out the FAFSA and CADAA, October 1 to June 30, per CSAC.

Residence deputy. The UC staff member who decides residency and AB 540 questions on your campus.

Questions people ask

Is SAI how much we have to pay? No. Federal Student Aid says it is an index for colleges, not a bill.

Is AB 540 the same as the California Dream Act? No. AB 540 is about tuition. The Dream Act is about aid. Most undocumented students need both. See What is the difference between AB 540, the CA Dream Act and DACA?

Do I need DACA for any of this? No. AB 540, the CADAA and state aid do not need DACA.

I live outside California. Do these words apply? FAFSA, SAI, contributor, Pell and cost of attendance apply everywhere. AB 540, CADAA, Cal Grant and the other state programs are California only. Your state may have its own rules.