State Financial Aid Remains Available to Undocumented Students via CADAA

For youth in foster care, going to college can feel overwhelming. You’re figuring out housing, work, and life on your own—sometimes all at once. And if you’re undocumented, federal financial aid isn’t an option. That’s where California steps in with the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) and AB 540, providing financial aid for undocumented students and giving foster youth a real chance at college, in-state tuition, and critical financial support.

Looking for more scholarship opportunities? Foster Love has scholarships for foster youth!

Why This Matters for Foster Youth

Aging out of foster care often means losing the safety net most students rely on. Financial aid isn’t just essential for tuition, it’s also for food, rent, textbooks, and transportation.

CADAA opens doors to grants and scholarships specifically for foster youth, like the Chafee Grant, and other state programs that make college realistic instead of impossible.

Being able to determine what aid you qualify for early can make all the difference. State aid can cover tuition fees, books, and living expenses, giving foster youth stability and independence.

Who Qualifies

Undocumented students include anyone without U.S. citizenship or permanent residency. That also includes students from mixed-status families—for example, a U.S. citizen student whose parent or spouse is undocumented.

Even if you could technically get federal aid, you may choose CADAA to access state financial aid programs.

California AB 540 Requirements

AB 540, also called the California Nonresident Tuition Exemption, allows you to pay in-state tuition and apply for state financial aid. To qualify, you must:

Time and Coursework:

• Attend three or more years of full-time school in California (high school, adult school, or community college)
• OR complete three years of high school coursework across elementary, middle, and/or high schools in California

Graduation or Transfer Requirements:

• Graduate from a California high school
• OR earn a GED, HiSET, or TASC in California
• OR complete an associate degree at a California community college
• OR meet minimum transfer requirements to a UC or CSU

Other Requirements:

• Enroll in a qualified California college or university
• Complete an AB 540 affidavit if required
• Do not hold a standard non-immigrant visa (some exceptions apply for U or T visa holders)

Full-time attendance counts as 420 hours per school year for non-credit courses, or 12 units per semester/quarter for credit courses.

What You Can Get With CADAA

Submitting CADAA can make you eligible for multiple state aid programs:

• Cal Grant
• Chafee Grant for foster youth
• Middle Class Scholarship
• Student Success Completion Grant
• California DREAM Loan
• Dream Act Service Incentive Grant

Deadline: Submit by March 2 to get the most financial aid possible.

For foster youth and unaccompanied homeless youth, guides like JBAY’s CADAA Visual Guide and webinars (Completing the FAFSA/CADAA: A How-To for Adult Supporters) provide step-by-step help with submitting documents, creating a WebGrants account, and claiming scholarships like CalKIDS.

How to Apply

1. Talk to your high school counselor early. They can help confirm AB 540 eligibility and deadlines.
2. Contact the college financial aid office. Bring transcripts, proof of residency, and AB 540 documents. Ask about in-state tuition and state aid.
3. Prepare your documents. This includes residency proof, academic records, test scores, and personal statements for scholarships.
4. Look for extra support. Many colleges offer tuition waivers or emergency funds for foster youth.

Special Notes About FAFSA and SSNs

• FAFSA requires an SSN. Most undocumented students don’t have one, but DACA recipients can complete FAFSA if they have an SSN.
• Contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) if you need help applying.
• Paper FAFSA submissions can work if online SSN requirements block you.

Keeping Your Info Safe

Only share your immigration status with staff who need it. If you’re unsure, consult an immigration legal aid provider.

Scholarships and Private Aid

• National scholarships: TheDream.US and other programs accept undocumented students.
• Local scholarships: Community foundations and colleges often offer awards.
• Paperwork: Always keep transcripts, residency proof, and personal statements ready.

Step Forward

State financial aid via CADAA gives foster youth a real chance at college, independence, and stability. Understanding AB 540, meeting deadlines, and using every available resource—state, institutional, and private—can make college not just a dream, but a reality.