College year checklist
A printable from College Complete Guide. Fill it in by hand. Nothing you write is collected by this website.
College year checklist
Junior year (spring)
- Count my years in California schools (high school, adult school, community college)
- Ask my counselor for my transcripts from every California school
- Start a scholarship list with names, deadlines and amounts
Senior year: August to November
- Start the UC and Cal State applications on August 1
- Make sure my school has my GPA for the Cal Grant (I did not opt out)
- Submit UC by November 30, 2026; submit CSU in its priority period (ends November 30, 2026)
- Never mark "U.S. citizen" unless I am one
Senior year: October to March 2
- File the CA Dream Act Application at dream.csac.ca.gov (not the FAFSA, unless I am a citizen or eligible noncitizen)
- Sign the AB 540 affidavit inside it
- Get one parent signature
- Get my nine digit Dream ID and open WebGrants 4 Students
- Check that my GPA shows in WebGrants
- Deadline: March 2, 2027 (September 2, 2027 for community college)
Spring
- Answer any request from a financial aid office within days
- Compare offers: cost minus grants
- Decide by May 1 and confirm my school in WebGrants
Summer before college
- File UC Statement of Legal Residence or CSU exemption steps
- Send final transcripts (UC: by July 1, 2027)
- Apply for DSIG starting July 1 if I have a Cal Grant A or B
- Meet my campus Dreamer Resource Liaison
Every year in college
- File a new CA Dream Act Application by March 2
- Reapply for DSIG and scholarships
- If I have DACA, renew 120 to 150 days before it ends
Help: CSAC (888) 224-7268. Free Cash for College workshops. Never pay anyone to file.
From College Complete Guide. Facts checked October 21, 2026. Free information, not legal or medical advice.