California Dream Act

Who is an AB540 Student?

• Attended: 
  • 3 or more years of attendance in California Elementary or Secondary school or combination thereof
  • 3 or more years at a California high school
  • 3 or more at a California Adult School with a
    minimum of 420 hours of attendance per school year
  • A combination of these schools with a total of 3 or more years of attendance
• Graduated from a California high school
  OR received a GED
  OR passed the California High School Proficiency Exam
• Are registered or enrolled at a California community college and
• If required, complete an affidavit saying you have filed (or will file when you are eligible to do so) for legal immigration status

For more information, check out the Undocumented Community Center AB540 page

The CADAA is used to determine the California state financial eligibility of students who meet the qualifications of Assembly Bill 540 (AB 540).

• The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) will process this application.
• Any aid received can only be used at eligible California institutions.
• Complete the CADAA if one of the following residential statuses applies to you:
  • Undocumented (with or without DACA)
  • Temporary Protected Status
  • U-Visa holder

Step 1: Determine if you are AB540 eligible

1. Check the eligibility information to see if you are AB540 eligible.
2. Complete the AB540 California Nonresident Tuition Exemption form.  
3. Submit this form to the Admissions & Records Office to determine if you are AB540 eligible.

Step 2: Submit the California Dream Act Application (CADAA)

The California Dream Act Application (CADAA) becomes available October 1st of every year, and must be submitted for every year you plan to use financial aid. Note that submitting the application prior to the March 2nd priority deadline will maximize the amount of financial aid you may be able to receive.

1. Access the CADAA online during the application window of October 1 - March 2.
2. First-time applicants must create a User ID and Password, while renewal applicants can retrieve a forgotten User ID and Password
3. Start an application for the correct academic year: 2024-2025: Fall 2024, Spring 2025, and Summer 2025
4. Provide the requested tax & income information from two years prior. Example: For 2022-2023, you would need your 2020 tax & income information
5. Add Skyline to your application using the School Code 00771300
6. If you cannot answer “Yes” to any of the Dependency Questions, you must provide parent information
7. Electronically sign your application
8. If you are considered Dependent, have your parent electronically sign by creating a Parent PIN for first-time signers, or retrieving a forgotten PIN for renewal signers
9. Once your CADAA is processed you will receive an email notification for the financial aid office instructing you to login to your WebSMART to view what financial aid documentation, if any, you need to provide instructions to review your financial aid.
10. You may also view your financial aid award and disbursement information by logging in to your WebSMART account and following the instructions to review your financial aid.
11. SMCCCD partners with BankMobile to issue student financial aid refunds. View the Disbursement Schedule

Need assistance with the CADAA? Check out our financial aid lab schedule.