There are multiple ways to pay for college, don't let money deter you. UCs provide a vast amount of resources for undocumented students. Checkout all of the resources available to you!

Financial Aid

CA Dream Act

When you apply for the CA Dream Act, you are also applying for Cal Grants, institutional grants, etc.

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Paying for College

The California Dream Act is a combination of three bills, Assembly Bill (AB) 540, AB 130 and AB 131. Together, these bills allow undocumented and nonresident documented students who meet certain provisions to be treated the same as resident students. Together these are called the California Dream Act and they allow these students to pay the resident fees at public colleges and universities, apply for and receive private scholarships funded through public universities, state-administered financial aid, university grants, community college fee waivers and Cal Grants.

 Note: If have applied/received approval for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), then you should complete the CA Dream Act Application, NOT the Free Application for Federal Students Aid (FAFSA).

Make sure you qualify for AB540. Only students who are eligible for AB540 qualify for the CA Dream Act.
(Scroll to AB540 section for eligibility requirements)

Gather all the information. Parents' and Student's Federal Income Tax Return (if filed), W2 Forms (student and parents'), current bank statements, current investment account statements, and Alien Registration number (if you have one)

Keep in mind the deadline. The deadline to submit the CA Dream Act Application is MARCH 2nd. It is very important that you submit your application before the deadline because it can have an impact on the amount of your financial aid.

That is the easy part. Just go to https://dream.csac.ca.gov and start a new application.

It is important to make notes of your login information for you will be using the same login if you intend to apply the following year.

Complete all the required questions and follow along the side bar for clarification on questions.

Make sure all information is correct before submitting.

Approximately one week after you complete the CA Dream Application, you will receive your Student Aid Report (SAR). Carefully review your status and follow the instructions if you need to make any corrections.

You may also qualify for Cal Grants. The application information How to apply 

If you have any questions, please contact our Dream Scholar Resource Team's financial aid representative Jennifer Leon at Jennifer.Leon@sa.ucsb.edu

CA Dream Loan

The California DREAM Loan Program provides eligible undocumented AB 540 undergraduates with the option to borrow loans to help cover the cost of attending UC.

Scholarships

2022 Scholarships for Undocumented Students at UCSB

  • Dream Scholar Fund Scholarship 
  • USS Programs Scholarships

At the end of this spring, we will be awarding scholarships ranging between $500 and $1,000 (totaling more than $15,000 in scholarships).

 

  • UCSB current student and have financial aid application (i.e. CA Dream Act) on file for 2021-2022 Academic Year
  • Demonstrate financial need
  • There is no G.P.A. requirement
  • USS Programs Scholarship Applicants ONLY: Students applying for the USS Programs Scholarship MUST have participated in one of the following programs during the 2021-2022 Academic Year: 
  • Students applying to the Dream Scholars Fund Scholarship are not required to have participated in any of the USS Programs listed above. 
  • Complete scholarship application including the scholarship essay prompts. Students MUST answer the prompt/s for the scholarship they are applying for. 

The scholarship essay prompts ask that you focus on one or more of the following reasons:

Our #1 tip is that you actually apply, regardless of GPA! There is no GPA requirement. Your job as an applicant is to write a strong essay and submit an application on time, let the committee decide who are the scholarship recipients as supposed to select yourself out due to your grades or other factors. If eligible, you are encouraged to apply to both the Dream Scholars Fund Scholarship and the USS Programs Scholarship.

  • Submit the complete application via DocuSign (click here).
    Applicants are encouraged to prepare before submitting the application. Use this document to prepare.  
  • A complete application will include the following:
    • 2022 USS Scholarships for Undocumented Students at UCSB Application
    • Scholarship Essays 
      • ALL applications MUST answer prompt 1 and 2 
      • Students applying for the USS Programs Scholarship MUST answer a third prompt
  • Make sure to indicate which scholarship you are applying to and answer the questions accordingly.
  • Submit application before the deadline which is Sunday, May 8, 2022, by 11:59 PM. No late application will be accepted. 

 Deadline

The deadline for both scholarships is Sunday, May 8, 2022, by 11:59 PM.

Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed by a committee. All applicants will be notified of the status of their application by the end of the 2022 Spring quarter. 

Questions?

Email:  USS 

Phone: (805) 893-5609