Dream Act

California Dream Act Students

En español

Dreamers welcomeDream Act Students are individuals who were born abroad and may have entered the United States as children without the proper documentation to be considered a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident, even though they may have resided here since childhood. We work closely with undocumented, underdocumented, and DACAmented students to assist them with the application for admission, the financial aid process, and throughout their time at Cal Lutheran.

If a student is a part of a mixed status family (meaning that the student may be a U.S. citizen, but one or more family members may be undocumented, underdocumented, or DACAmented), they are able to receive support from the DREAMers support network.

Financial Aid

California Dream Act Application

As you apply to Cal Lutheran, we encourage you to submit a California Dream Act Application. This application is used by undocumented students who meet the eligibility requirements of California Assembly Bill 540 and come from a lower income household or qualify for need-based aid. The California Student Aid Commission process the application and any aid received can be used at eligible California public or private institutions.

Start your Dream Act application

 Cal Grant Eligibility

We would like to remind you, as is stated on the California Student Aid Commission website, in order to meet eligibility for the Cal Grant through the California Dream Act you: 

  • Must have attended a California high school for a minimum of 3 or more full academic years (between grades 9 through 12)
  • Must have or will graduate from a California high school or have attained a G.E.D.; or received a passing mark on the California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE); 
  • Must register or is currently enrolled at an accredited institution of higher education in California
  • Must file or will file an affidavit as required by individual institutions, stating that the filer will apply for legal residency as soon as possible.
  • Must not hold a valid non-immigrant visa (F, J, H, L, A, E, etc.)
California Dream Act Service Incentive Grant Program (DSIG)

The California Dream Act Service Incentive Grant (DSIG) Program 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 apply to do community or volunteer experience.

The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) will award up to $4,500 per academic year ($2,250 per semester) to 1,667 eligible students. In order to meet the eligibility to apply, you must:

  • Be a CA Dream Act applicant
  • Be receiving Cal Grant B or meeting Cal Grant B eligibility while having Cal Grant A
  • Have sufficient unmet financial need
  • Submit an application to CSAC and have an approved organization to volunteer with

This grant would be available to the student for up to 8 semesters while they have an active Cal Grant A or B award. Students must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). Find additional information here: https://www.csac.ca.gov/dsig. Have questions? Contact the DREAMer Financial Aid Point of Contact.

 Cal Lutheran Access Grants

Access Grants are awarded annually to Dream Act eligible students. To be considered students must complete a California Dream Act Application every year. There are a limited number of grants available. The amount of the grant may change in subsequent years. The final amount will be determined annually by the Office of Financial Aid. Learn more about Cal Lutheran access grants.

FAQ's and Additional Resources

DREAMer Point of Contacts

While you will have many allies on campus, there are a few key allies you should know about. Together they are known as your Point of Contacts and they are ready to help answer any questions you may have. You may also send us your questions at dreamers@CalLutheran.edu 

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