What is AB540?

California Nonresident Tuition Exemption commonly known as AB 540, exempts certain students from paying nonresident tuition (higher than resident tuition) and/or allows them to apply and receive state aid at certain California public and private colleges.

Satisfy either items 1 or 2 (Time and Coursework Requirement)

1. Three (3) or more years of full-time attendance or attainment of equivalent credits earned in California from the following schools (or any combination thereof):
   1. High School *
   2. Adult School *
   3. Community College (credit or non-credit courses) ** or
2. Three (3) or more years of full-time high school coursework and attended a combination of elementary, middle and/or high school in California for a combined total of three (3) or more years.

AND Satisfy any from item 3 (Graduation and/or Transfer Requirement)

1. Graduation and/or transfer requirements:
   1. Graduate from a California high school, or
   2. Obtain a GED, HiSET or TASC in California, or
   3. Attain an associate degree from a California Community College, or
   4. Fulfilled the minimum transfer requirements to transfer from a California Community College to a University of California or California State University.

The following items must also be met to qualify for AB 540 status:

1. Will register or enroll in an accredited and qualifying California college or university, and
2. If applicable, complete an AB 540 affidavit stating that you will legalize your immigration status as soon as you are eligible (see the Admissions and Records Office at your college), and
3. Do not hold a valid non-immigrant visa (A, B, C, D, E, F, J, H, L, etc.), except persons granted Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or hold a U Visa ***

*Full-time attendance = minimum of 420 hours/school year
**Credit courses = full-time attendance is a minimum of 12 units semester/quarter per year. Maximum of two (2) years of credit coursework can be used toward meeting 3-year requirement.
**Non-credit courses = full-time attendance is a minimum of 420 hours/school year
***AB 1899 allows U and T visa holders to also apply for state financial aid. (T visa holders should file a FAFSA, U visa holders should file a CA Dream Act Application)

If you meet the requirements above, you should complete the CA Dream Act Application for financial aid. (A certified GPA is also necessary for Cal Grant consideration.)

Your college is responsible for verifying your AB 540 eligibility. Check with your Admissions and Records Office early in the summer before the Fall Term starts to complete the required AB 540 affidavit.

What is CADAA - California Dream Act Application?

The California Dream Act allows undocumented and nonresident students (U.S. Citizens and eligible non-citizens) who qualify for a non-resident exemption under Assembly Bill 540 (AB 540) to receive certain types of financial aid such as: private scholarships funded through public universities, state administered financial aid, university grants, community college fee waivers, and Cal Grants. In addition, the California Dream Act, allows eligible students to pay in-state tuition at any public college in California.

What is the difference between the FAFSA and the California Dream Act application?

Students should only complete one of the applications (not both), according to the citizenship requirements below:

1. You are eligible to complete the FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov if you are a:

• U.S Citizen
• Permanent Resident
• Eligible non-citizen
• T Visa holder

1. You are eligible to complete the CADAA at https://dream.csac.ca.gov if you are:

• Undocumented
• Have a valid or expired DACA
• U Visa holders
• Have Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
• Meet the non-resident exemption requirements under AB 540

California Dream Act Online Application

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