AB 540 and Dream Act - How to Apply - Financial Aid

Financial Aid

AB 540 & California Dream Act

The California DREAM Act of 2011  (Assembly Bill AB 130 and AB 131) which allows undocumented students who meet certain provisions of Assembly Bill AB 540/AB 2000/ SB 68 to apply for and receive Cal Grants and California College Promise Grant (CCPG) at community colleges as well as institutional and state aid at California colleges and universities.

 

AB 540/AB 2000/SB 68 Requirements

  • Student attended CA high school for three or more years, OR
  • The student has completed credits from a CA high school that is equivalent to three or more years of full-time high school coursework and a total of three or more years attendance in CA elementary schools, CA secondary schools, CA adult schools, or a combination of those schools, OR
  • Student completed credits at a CA community college, or a combination of the schools listed above, OR
  • The student graduated or will graduate from a California high school or the equivalent by passing the General Education Development (GED), High School Equivalency Test (HiSET), Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC), or California High School Proficiency (CHSPE), OR
  • Student have or will have an associate degree from a CA community college, OR
  • The student will have or have fulfilled the minimum requirements to transfer from a CA community college to a University of CA or CA State University
  • Student must complete an affidavit stating they have filed (or will file when eligible to do so) for legal immigration status.

Access the California Dream Act Application

If you need assitance with completing the California Dream Act application, attend one of our Financial Aid Workshops that are held each semester. For more information about the workshops and what to bring, vist the Financial Aid Workshops webpage.

Types of Aid

AB 540 students may be eligible for the following California state aid and services:

  • California College Promise Grant (CCPG): California College Promise Grant is a program that provides assistance to waive community college unit fees.

  • Cal Grant: Cal Grants are funded by the state of California to help students pay for college expenses. There are three types of Cal Grant awards. Cal Grant A: (Only for Universities) Cal Grant B: Students can receive $1,648 for the academic year. Cal Grant C: Students who are in a vocational program can receive $1,094 for the academic year.

  • The Students with Dependent Children (SWD) Grant: Cal Grant students attending a California Community College campus who have dependent children may be eligible for an increased access award. The SWD Grant increases the Cal Grant award by up to $6,000 for qualifying Cal Grant A and B recipients and up to $4,000 for qualifying Cal Grant C recipients.

  • Cal Grant Access Award for Foster Youth: increases Cal Grant A and B students award by up to $6,000 and Cal Grant C by up to $4,000.

  • Student Success Completion Grant (SSCG): The Student Success Completion Grant is a grant that is given to eligible Cal Grant B and C students that are enrolled full-time (12 or more units). A student can receive up to $2,596 per academic year if the student is enrolled in 12-14 units each term. Students who are enrolled in 15 units or more each term will be eligible up to $8,000 per academic year.

  • Chafee Grant: This grant applies to current or former foster youth that were in foster care between the ages of 16-18 and have not reached the age of 26. Students can receive up to $5,000 for the academic year. For more information, please go our Chafee Grant page.

  • California Dream Act Service Incentive Grant Program: This program encourages California Dream Act Applicant (CADAA) students with a Cal Grant A award that met Cal Grant B eligibility or a Cal Grant B award to perform community or voluneer service. The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) will award up to $4,500 per academic year (up to $2,250 per semester or up to $1,500 per quarter) to 1,667 eligible students. The grant will be available to the student for up to 8 semesters or up to 12 quarters while they have an active Cal Grant A or B award. Students must also meet Satisfactory Academic Progress and complete any necessary verification for their Cal Grant award.

To be eligible for DSIG the student must meet the following general requirements:

  • Must be a Cal Grant B recipient
  • Must be enrolled in 6 or more units
  • Must have unmet need
  • Must meet federal Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

If you are interested in this opportunity complete the California Dream Act Service Incentive Grant Program form and return it to the FA Office.

For more information on the Dreamer Service Incentive Grant CLICK HERE

How to Apply

  1. Submit the NONRESIDENT TUITION EXEMPTION REQUEST FORM to the Butte College Admissions & Records Office for an AB 540 eligibility determination. If you need assistance with completing the Nonresident Tuition Exemption Request Form, please contact Brenda Rodriguez from the UndocuCenter at rodriguezbr@big5vn.com or call 530-895-2817.
  2. If you are a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen, complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
  3. If you are an undocumented noncitizen, or a student who has completed the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) process and has been given a Social Security Number, you may be considered for California state aid-only. Please complete and submit the California Dream Act Application, and not the FAFSA.
  4. Deadline for Cal Grant application: student must submit either the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application by May 2nd. The student should not submit both (see above).
  5. GPA Verification Form - to be submitted to the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) by the March 4 deadline.

    *Continuing Butte College students who have completed between 16-24 units will have their GPA Verification automatically submitted by the Butte College Financial Aid Office.

    *High school seniors: GPA Verification form must be submitted by your high school. See your high school counselor.

AB-540/Dream Act Resources

Contact Us

Butte College School Code
006972

Financial Aid Office

530-895-2311

financialaid@big5vn.com

SAS 160 Rm. 110
3536 Butte Campus Drive
Oroville, CA 95965

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Content Editor:
Zariel Torres
530-895-2311