CaliforniaPhoebe Keesey

Program Coordinator, Financial Aid

Dreamin’

Today’s Topics: • Dreamers 101

• California Dream Act Requirements

• Activity: Myth or Fact

• Q&A

Introductions

• Name and high school

• Do you work with dreamers? In what capacity?

• What are you hoping to learn from this session?

Dreamers 101Important Terms

“dreamers”

• Undocumented immigrants who were

brought to the United States as children

• Ongoing national conversation/debate

• Future is in limbo

Federal DREAM Act• One proposed solution in 2001 was to provide

undocumented youth with pathways to citizenship

• Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors

• The Federal DREAM Act was NOT passed

DACA – Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals

• 2012 – Executive Order by President Obama

• Temporary relief from deportation

• Temporary work authorization (SSN)

• Renewable every 2 years

• Basic Eligibility Requirements:• Under 31

• Arrived before 16

• High school grad (or in progress)

• Present in the US in 2012

• Living in the US since 2007

DACA – Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals

• 2017 – Trump Administration terminated DACA

• Multiple lawsuits were filed challenging this decision

• Now – DACA is tied up in higher courts

• New applications are not being accepted, only renewals

• Students are advised to meet with an attorney

California DREAM Act

• 2011 – State funded financial aid for dreamers

• Available only for students in California

• Educators are not expected to be immigration experts

• Our role is to help students understand the benefits and

limitations of each program and empower students to

make informed decisions about their future

California Dream ActRequirements

To apply for financial aid programs under

the California Dream Act, students must complete the

online application at www.caldreamact.org

The application must be renewed every year,

ideally between October 1- March 2nd

Who should apply for CA Dream Act?• Undocumented students who meet AB540 residency requirements

• Students with OR without DACA

• Students with U-visas (victims of crimes)

• Students with TPS status (temporary protected status)

Who should apply for the FAFSA?• US Citizens

• Permanent Residents (green card holders)

• Eligible non-citizens (refugees, asylum, etc.)

– Will have an I-94 form from DHS

If you’re not sure, start with the

California Dream Act because it has a

built-in screening process.

What information is needed

for the application?

• Demographic information

• Name of high school attended

• Educational background and goals

• List of colleges (up to 10)

• Family’s income information

• Other financial resources

Type of College CA- Resident* NON- Resident

CA Community Colleges $46 per unit $283 per unit

Tuition Fees and

California Residency

*To be considered a California Resident, you must have:

(1) lived in California for at least a year and a day, AND

(2) have citizenship or permanent residency in the United States

Assembly Bill (AB) 540

Attended California high school for at least 3 years

Earned a California high school diploma or equivalent

Submit the Non-resident Tuition Exemption Request form

Submit a copy of high school transcripts to Admissions

College CA- Resident AB540 NON- Resident

CC $46 per unit $46 per unit $283 per unit

Assembly Bill (AB) 540* Senate Bill 68 Expansion

Effective beginning January 1, 2018

Attended California school for at least 3 years

- can use mix of elementary and secondary school

- can use years in adult school

- can use years in community college

Earned a California high school diploma or equivalent

- can use AA degree

- can use fulfillment of transfer requirements

Submit the CA Non-resident Tuition Exemption Request form

Submit a copy of high school transcripts to Admissions

California

Promise Grant Waive $46 per unit fee at community colleges

Cal Grant A Waive tuition fees at UC/CSU

Cal Grant BWaive tuition fees at UC/CSU

AND up to $1672/year

Cal Grant C up to $547 per year

Student Success

Completion Grant

- must be eligible for Cal Grant Program

$649 per semester (12 – 14.99 units)

$2000 per semester (15+ units)

Chafee Grant- must be a current or former foster youth

up to $5000 per year for educational expenses

State Funded Programs

Dreamers are NOT eligible for

Federal Financial Aid Programs

Federal Pell Grant up to $6095/year

Federal SEOG Grant up to $500/year

Federal Work Study $ varies/need based employment

Federal Student Loans $ varies/must be repaid

FEDERAL financial aid programs are only available for US Citizens

or eligible non-citizens (green card holders, refugees, asylums, etc.)

through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

CA DREAM

ACTAB540

STATE FINANCIAL

AID

Activity:Myth or Fact

Students must be eligible for

DACA to apply for college.

Myth or Fact:

MYTHDACA is not a requirement for college.

Students can go to college with or without DACA.

Students must be eligible for

DACA to apply for financial aid

Myth or Fact:

MYTHDACA is not a requirement for the California Dream Act.

Students can apply for the CA Dream Act with or without DACA.

Undocumented students must have

attended schools in California for at

least 3 years to qualify for financial aid.

FACTStudents must meet AB540 requirements

to qualify for the CA Dream Act.

Myth or Fact:

Students with social security

numbers through DACA may

apply for the FAFSA.

MYTHSSN obtained from DACA is only valid for work-authorization.

Undocumented students must complete the CA Dream Act.

Myth or Fact:

US citizen students with

undocumented parents are

eligible to apply for the FAFSA.

FACTEligibility for financial aid programs are based

on the student’s status, not the parents.

Myth or Fact:

Dreamers are subject to

paying out-of-state

tuition fees

FACTDreamers do not meet the requirements for California

residency. However, they may apply for non-resident

tuition exemption if they meet requirements for AB540.

Myth or Fact:

Dreamers are eligible for the same

types of financial aid as US citizens

and permanent residents.

MYTHDreamers are only eligible for state funded programs,

not federally funded programs.

Myth or Fact:

Graduating seniors must

complete the CA Dream

Act by March 2nd.

FACTThe best time to apply for the California Dream Act is

between October 1-March 2nd of their senior year. Missing

the March 2nd deadline will prevent students from receiving

the Cal Grant and other programs with limited funding.

Myth or Fact:

When in doubt, advise

students to complete both the

FAFSA and the CA Dream Act.

MYTHWhen in doubt, start with the CA Dream Act because it has a

screening process to determine which application is appropriate.

Submitting both applications will freeze financial aid awards.

Myth or Fact:

At this time, dreamers have no

clear path to stay and become

citizens of the United States.

FACTDACA provides temporary relief from deportation and temporary work

authorization. It is not a long term immigration solution for dreamers. If

DACA is permanently terminated, dreamers would not be authorized to

work in the United States and would be subject for deportation.

Myth or Fact:

Questions?Phoebe Keesey

Program Coordinator

(925) 969 - 2124

pkeesey@dvc.edu

8th Annual

Dreamers

Conference