It is a California State Law that allows certain undocumented students and U.S citizens in California to pay in-state tuition in a higher education institution.

Requirements for AB 540/ AB 2000 are:

• Have attended a California High School for three or more years, ORhave attained credits earned in California from a California high school equivalent to three or more years of full time high school course work and attended a combination of elementary, middle/secondary, and/or high schools in California for a total of three or more years
• Have graduated from a California High School or attainment of the equivalent thereof (i.e., GED or Certificate of High School Proficiency) prior to the start of the term
• The student must file an affidavit with the college or university stating that he or she has filed an application to legalize his or her immigration status, or will file an application as soon as he or she is eligible to do so

Note: all students who meet AB 540/AB 2000 requirements must file an affidavit with the College. The affidavit is included in the California Nonresident Tuition Exemption form which is available in the Admissions and Records Office.

AB 540 students can apply to any community college, four-year university, private university or vocational school.  However, public and private institutions offer financial aid and scholarships based on different criteria.

Generally, there are two sections that need to be left blank when filling out a college/university application: the Social Security Number box (unless you have a valid social security number issued by the Social Security Administration that may be used for purposes other than work) and the Immigration Status box. Then you will proceed to fill out the AB 540 affidavit stating that you meet the in-state tuition requirements.

It is a financial aid application in California that determines financial assistance for AB 540 students.  The CA Dream Act consists of two parts: AB 130 and AB 131.  AB 130 allows students to apply for and receive scholarships derived from non-state funds.  AB 131 allows students to apply for and receive financial aid from state funds.  The deadline for this application is March 2.  For any Cal Grants offered under the CA Dream Act, the student needs to submit a GPA verification form.

The application can be found at www.caldreamact.org.  Students with a valid Social Security Number issued under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals should enter the number accordingly.  Box should be left blank if a number has not been assigned. Tax information from the student’s parents is also needed.  Estimate this information if your parents have not filed taxes but make sure you go back to update this information once you have it current.

No, AB 540 students are not eligible for any Federal Financial Aid.

There are plenty of scholarships from private to public organizations available to AB 540 students. Those scholarships do not require a citizenship status. Make sure you visit your counselor or advisor to provide scholarships lists. See a list of scholarships available here.

The California Dream Loan Program provides eligible AB 540 students with the option to borrow loans to help cover the cost of attending a California State University or a University of California.
Also, you might be able to apply for loans from private lending institutions if you meet their criteria.
Note: Federal loans are not available for AB 540 students.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals or DACA is an Executive Order passed by President Barack Obama in June 2012, which offered a temporary relief to a certain group of undocumented immigrants nationwide. This order provided an exemption from deportation and a two-year renewable employment authorization for those that qualify. As of September 5, 2017, DACA was rescinded by the Trump administration. USCIS is no longer accepting initial requests for DACA nor accepting Advance Parole requests associated with DACA. USCIS is only adjudicating initial requests for DACA accepted by September 5, 2017 and DACA renewal requests received by October 5, 2017, from current beneficiaries whose benefits will expire between September 5, 2017 and March 5, 2018.

Remember: DACA has been rescinded as of September 5, 2017

• Need to be under age 31 on June 15, 2012
• Have entered the U.S. under the age of 16
• Have been living in the U.S. continuously since June 15, 2007 up to present time
• Were physically present in the U.S. on June 15, 2007 and at the time of requesting DACA
• Had no lawful status as of June 15, 2012
• Currently in school, have graduated and obtained a high school diploma or GED or are an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the U.S.
• Have not been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor, three or more other misdemeanors and do not pose a threat to national security

Remember: DACA has been rescinded as of September 5, 2017

• USCIS Applications I-821D, I-765, I-765WS
• Must demonstrate proof of identity (birth certificate, passport, military ID, school ID)
• Proof that you came to the U.S. before age 16 (school records, medical records, employment records, bank transactions, insurance policies, tax receipts)
• Proof of immigration status (Form I-94, I-95, I-94W, order of deportation)
• Proof of presence in the U.S. since June 15, 2007 (utility bills, employment records, passport entries, tax receipts, bank transactions)
• Proof of physical presence in U.S. on June 15, 2012 (utility bills, employment records, passport entries, tax receipts, bank transactions)
• Proof of student status (official school records, transcripts, high school diploma, GED certificate)
• Proof of honorably discharged veteran of Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the U.S. (military records, form DD-214, NGB form 22)

Filing fee $495

It is a law that allows California residents to apply for and obtain a driver’s license regardless of immigration status, as long as they meet the criteria.