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At Mt. San Antonio College, we value diversity and work to provide support for all of our students, including those in special situations. The California DREAM (Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors) Act is a group of California state laws that allow minors who were brought into the US without proper immigration documentation to apply for student financial aid benefits.

We recommend that students apply for the California Dream Act and the AB 540 status at the same time. You can apply for the California Dream Act here and for the AB 540 status through Admissions and Records (download the AB540 form here).[LINK TO FORMS & PUBLICATIONS] Read more below, or visit our Dream Act FAQs page for more information.

What is the California Dream Act?
The California Dream Act was authored by Assembly Member Gil Cedillo (Los Angeles) and became law through the passage of two Assembly Bills, AB 130 and AB 131:

  • AB 130 allows students who meet AB 540 criteria (California Education Code 68130.5(a)) to apply for and receive non-state funded scholarships for public colleges and universities.
  • AB 131 allows students who meet AB 540 criteria to apply for and receive state-funded financial aid such as institutional grants, community college fee waivers, Cal Grant and Chafee Grant.

Who Qualifies as an AB 540 Student?
You are an AB 540 student, and exempt from paying non-resident enrollment fees, if you meet all of the following criteria:

  • Attended a California high school for at least three years;
  • Graduated from a California high school, got 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.
  • AB 540 students may be:
    • Students who are U.S. citizens, but who are not CA residents
    • Students who are undocumented
  • AB 540 students are not:
    • Students with a non-immigrant Visa status (U-Visa and victims of sex trafficking may be eligible for AB 540 status)
    • Students "home-schooled" by a parent who does not hold a California teacher credential
    • Students living out-of-state and enrolling in a private California "internet high school"

If you think you might qualify for the Dream Act program, visit the DREAMers webpage here.