AB 540 & Financial Aid

AB 540/AB 2000/SB 68

AB 540 is a California law that provides an exemption to the requirement to pay nonresident tuition.  

Undocumented individuals, T and U visa holders, U.S. citizens, and lawfully present immigrants that meet eligibility criteria can apply. Individuals with international student visas, visitor visas, or other “non-immigrant” statuses are not eligible to apply.  

To be eligible, students must meet the following requirements:

  1. Time and Coursework (either A or B):
    • Three full-time years of attendance or equivalent credits earned in a California high school, adult school, community college (or any combination)
    • Three years of California high school coursework and three years of total attendance at a California elementary school, secondary school (or any combination)
  2. Degree or Units (completion of any of the following):
    • Graduate from a California high school or obtain a certificate of completion, GED, HiSET, or TASC in CA 
    • Obtain an associate degree from a California Community College 
    • Fulfill the minimum transfer requirements for the California State University or University of California
  3. Submit the AB 540 California Nonresident Tuition Request to Enrollment Services

Immigrants Rising has a helpful resource students can use to determine requirements through their In-State Tuition Tool (ISTT) or AB540/SB68 Attendance Worksheet.    

 

CALIFORNIA DREAM ACT

The California Dream Act Application allows students who meet the nonresident tuition exemption (AB 540) requirements and are enrolled in eligible California colleges, universities and career education programs to apply for state financial aid. The information provided via the California Dream Act Application is used solely to determine eligibility for state financial aid and isn't shared with the federal government or used for immigration enforcement purposes. CSAC will protect this information to the fullest extent of the law. 

Students who submit a California Dream Act Application may be eligible for:  

  • California College Promise Grant (CCPG), Cal Grant, Student Success Completion Grant 
  • Chafee Grant 
  • EOPS 
  • UC & CSU Grants, Middle Class Scholarships 
  • DREAM Loan
  • Some private and university scholarships

Apply online at https://dream.csac.ca.gov
College of Marin school code: 00117800 

For assistance, please attend a COM financial aid workshop or reach out to Undocu@marin.edu. 
You can also view line-by-line instructions on completing the application here.

 

DREAM ACT SERVICE INCENTIVE GRANT

The California Dream Act Service Incentive Grant Program (DSIG) encourages California Dream Act Applicant (CADAA) Students with a Cal Grant A award that met Cal Grant B eligibility or a Cal Grant B award to perform community or volunteer service. 

  • Award Amount: Up to $4,500 per academic year for up to 8 semesters while students have an active Cal Grant A or B award
  • Eligibility:
    • Must have completed and submitted a CA Dream Act application for that academic year
    • Must be an active recipient of a Cal Grant A or B award for that academic year. Cal Grant A recipients must have met Cal Grant B eligibility.
    • Must have enough financial need (determined by CSAC or your college or university).
    • Must be enrolled at a Cal Grant-eligible school.
  • Requirements
    • Perform 150 hours per semester/100 hours per quarter of community or volunteer service at a qualifying service organization.
    • Must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress and complete any necessary verification for your Cal Grant A or B award.
    • Download, complete and submit the Payment Request form on our website. Include verification of service hours.
  • For more information, click here.

EOPS (EXTENDED OPPORTUNITY PROGRAMS AND SERVICES)

Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) provide support for students to help them achieve their educational goals. Undocumented students who are AB540 eligible and meet the EOPS requirements can receive:  

  • Book grants 
  • Academic, career and personal counseling 
  • Free school supplies 
  • One-on-one peer tutoring 
  • Priority registration 
  • Math textbook & calculator lending library 
  • Special EOPS scholarships

For more information, click here.