Quick Answer
Yes — state Dream Acts, Cal Grants (accessible with an ITIN), private scholarships, and institutional aid from private colleges are all available to undocumented students. Federal aid (Pell Grants, federal loans) is not — it requires FAFSA eligibility, which excludes undocumented students — but 20+ states have their own programs that do not.
Can Undocumented Students Get Financial Aid?
Undocumented immigrants cannot access federal financial aid — no Pell Grants, no federal student loans, no work-study through FAFSA. An estimated 14 million undocumented immigrants live in the U.S. (Pew Research, 2023), paying about $8,889 per person per year in taxes (ITEP), yet federal law (the Higher Education Act of 1965) bars them from these programs regardless of how long they've lived here.
But federal aid is not the only option. Over 20 states have passed laws allowing undocumented students to pay in-state tuition, and many have state-level financial aid programs. California has the most comprehensive system in the country. Private scholarships are available nationwide with no immigration status requirement.
Bottom Line
If you live in California and qualify for AB 540, apply through CADAA (not FAFSA) by March 2. This opens Cal Grants, institutional grants, and community college fee waivers. Many undocumented students at California public colleges pay little to nothing after this aid is applied — especially at community colleges where full tuition waivers are available.
| Aid Type | Who Qualifies | Amount (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| AB 540 in-state tuition (CA) | 3 years CA high school + graduation/GED | Saves $20,000–$40,000/year vs. nonresident rates |
| Cal Grant A (CA) | AB 540 + CADAA + income eligibility | Up to $9,358/year at UC; up to $5,742/year at CSU |
| Cal Grant B (CA) | AB 540 + CADAA + very low income | Up to $1,648/year access grant + tuition waiver at UC/CSU |
| Community College Fee Waiver (CA) | AB 540 + CADAA + income eligibility | Full tuition waiver at California community colleges |
| UC/CSU Institutional Aid | Varies by campus; based on CADAA | Varies — many campuses meet 100% of demonstrated need |
| State aid — other states | Varies by state Dream Act | Varies — NY, TX, IL, WA, OR all have programs |
| Private scholarships | Varies by scholarship; most have no status requirement | $500 to $33,000+ over 4 years |
Can DACA Recipients Get Financial Aid and Student Loans?
DACA recipients cannot receive federal financial aid — no Pell Grants, no federal student loans, no federal work-study. But because DACA recipients have a Social Security Number, they have more options than fully undocumented students: they can file the FAFSA for state and college aid, apply for state Dream Act programs, win scholarships, and qualify for private student loans.
Federal Aid: Pell Grants and Federal Loans
DACA does not make you eligible for federal student aid. The U.S. Department of Education confirms that DACA recipients are not eligible for Pell Grants, Direct Loans, or federal work-study. Federal eligibility requires citizenship or an eligible noncitizen status such as a green card — DACA is neither.
DACA + FAFSA: you can file it anyway
Unlike fully undocumented students, DACA recipients have an SSN and can submit the FAFSA. You still will not receive federal aid, but several states and colleges use FAFSA data to award their own need-based aid. Check whether your state wants the FAFSA or a state Dream Act application before you file — in California, for instance, DACA students use the CADAA for state grants.
State and Institutional Aid
This is where DACA recipients can access real money. More than 20 states let undocumented and DACA students pay in-state tuition, and many fund state grants through a Dream Act application — California's CADAA is the largest example. Private colleges frequently award institutional aid regardless of immigration status. See the state-by-state breakdown below.
Private Student Loans for DACA Students
DACA recipients can qualify for private student loans, and a few lenders specialize in borrowers without a long U.S. credit history. MPOWER Financing lends to DACA students with no cosigner and no collateral; Ascent and Earnest also offer DACA loans, though their no-cosigner paths carry credit and income requirements. Exhaust grants and scholarships first — a loan is borrowed money, not aid.
Scholarships Open to DACA Recipients
DACA recipients have a slightly wider scholarship pool than other undocumented students, because some programs are reserved for DACA and TPS holders. TheDream.US is the largest, covering tuition at partner colleges. Golden Door Scholars and Immigrants Rising maintain national scholarship lists with no immigration-status requirement.
What Is AB 540 and Who Qualifies in California?
AB 540 (California Education Code Section 68130.5) allows undocumented students who meet specific criteria to pay in-state tuition at California public colleges and universities — the same rates that California residents pay. At a UC campus, nonresident tuition exceeds $31,000 per year. AB 540 eliminates that entirely.
AB 540 Eligibility Requirements
You qualify if you meet all of these:
- Attended a California high school for at least 3 years
- Graduated from a California high school, earned a GED, or passed the California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE)
- Registered or intend to register at a California community college, CSU, or UC
You do not need to be a California resident by any other definition. The 3-year high school attendance is the core requirement. Most undocumented students who attended high school in California qualify.
How to Claim AB 540
When you enroll, submit the AB 540 Affidavit (also called the "Nonresident Tuition Exemption Request") to the admissions or financial aid office. This certifies your high school attendance history. Once approved, in-state tuition is applied automatically going forward.
How Does the California Dream Act Application Work?
The CADAA is the state financial aid application for undocumented students who qualify for AB 540. It is the equivalent of FAFSA for students who cannot file FAFSA. Submitting CADAA by the deadline is how you access Cal Grants and institutional aid at California public colleges.
CADAA Deadline: March 2
The California Dream Act Application deadline is March 2 each year — the same as FAFSA. Filing after March 2 significantly reduces your chances of receiving a Cal Grant, as funds are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. File on time even if you are not sure you will enroll.
What CADAA Unlocks
- Cal Grant A — tuition assistance for students at UC, CSU, and qualifying private colleges
- Cal Grant B — living expenses and tuition support for very low-income students
- Cal Grant C — support for occupational and vocational training programs
- Community College Board of Governors (BOG) Fee Waiver — full tuition waiver at California community colleges
- UC and CSU institutional grants — many campuses award additional need-based aid on top of Cal Grants
How to Apply
Apply at csac.ca.gov under the California Dream Act Application. You will need:
- Social Security Number is not required — leave that field blank or enter "000-00-0000"
- Parent financial information (income, assets) — even if your parents are also undocumented
- The school code for the California college you are attending or applying to
- Your AB 540 affidavit (or confirmation that you have submitted it to your school)
Privacy
CADAA information is submitted to the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC), a state agency. CSAC does not share applicant information with federal immigration enforcement agencies. Many families with undocumented parents successfully complete CADAA each year.
What Financial Aid Is Available Outside California?
California has the most comprehensive state aid system, but other states have similar programs. The map of which states allow in-state tuition and state financial aid for undocumented students continues to expand. As of 2026, the following states have meaningful aid available:
The NY Dream Act (2019) opened the NYS Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) to undocumented students who meet residency and income requirements. TAP awards up to $5,665/year.
HB 1403 (2001) allows undocumented students to pay in-state tuition. State financial aid is available to students who meet Texas residency requirements and have lived in the state for 3 years before graduation.
The Illinois DREAM Act allows undocumented students to apply for state-funded scholarships and the Monetary Award Program (MAP) grant. The MAP grant can provide up to $6,000/year for low-income students.
Washington's State Need Grant and College Bound Scholarship are available to undocumented students who qualify for in-state tuition under SB 5687. The State Need Grant can cover tuition at community colleges.
Oregon allows undocumented students to pay in-state tuition and access the Oregon Opportunity Grant. Students must have attended Oregon high school for 3 years and graduated.
Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, and others allow in-state tuition. State financial aid availability varies — check your state's higher education agency directly.
What Private Scholarships Are Available for Undocumented Students?
Hundreds of private scholarships exist for undocumented and DACA students. These require no SSN, no lawful immigration status, and can be combined with state grants and institutional aid. They are available to students in all 50 states.
National Scholarships
- TheDream.US Scholarship — for DACA and TPS holders attending partner schools; up to $33,000 over 4 years ($8,250/year). One of the largest scholarships available specifically for undocumented students.
- Golden Door Scholars — merit-based; for undocumented students regardless of DACA status; covers full tuition plus mentorship and professional development support.
- Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) — awards $500–$5,000/year; some programs are open to DACA holders; large national pool with many award levels.
- Immigrants Rising Emergency Fund — emergency financial support for undocumented California students facing unexpected financial hardship; not limited to tuition.
- United We Dream Scholarships — maintains an updated list of scholarships for undocumented students at unitedwedream.org.
California-Specific Scholarships
- UC Campus Scholarships for AB 540 Students — most UC campuses have dedicated scholarship funds for AB 540 students. Contact your campus's undocumented student services office for current offerings.
- CSU Chancellor's Doctoral Incentive Program — for graduate-level undocumented students pursuing doctoral degrees at CSU.
- Community foundation scholarships — local community foundations throughout California maintain scholarships open to undocumented applicants. These are underutilized and often go unclaimed.
Strategy: Apply to Many
Most private scholarships award $500–$5,000 — small individually but they add up fast. Treat scholarship applications like a part-time job during your senior year. Use your school's financial aid office; UC and CSU campuses often maintain private lists of scholarships available to AB 540 students that are never publicly advertised. Many campus-based awards go unclaimed every cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fill out FAFSA as an undocumented student?
If you have no Social Security Number, no — FAFSA requires one. No undocumented or DACA student is eligible for federal financial aid either way. DACA recipients do have an SSN and can submit the FAFSA, but only so a state or college can use it to award their own aid (see the DACA section above). In California, use CADAA instead; in other states, check whether your state has a Dream Act application.
Can DACA recipients access more aid than other undocumented students?
In California, DACA and undocumented students both qualify for AB 540 and CADAA — state aid access is essentially the same. Some private scholarships (like TheDream.US) are limited to DACA and TPS holders, so DACA recipients have access to a slightly wider scholarship pool. Federal aid remains unavailable to both groups.
Can DACA recipients get Pell Grants?
No. Pell Grants are federal aid, and DACA recipients are not eligible for any federal student aid because DACA is not an eligible noncitizen status for federal purposes. You can still pursue state grants through a Dream Act application where available, institutional aid from your college, and private scholarships.
Can DACA recipients get student loans?
Not federal student loans — those require federal aid eligibility DACA recipients do not have. Private student loans are available, though. Lenders such as MPOWER Financing offer loans to DACA students without a cosigner; others require a cosigner or established credit. Use grants and scholarships first, since loans must be repaid with interest.
Is my immigration status safe when I apply for CADAA?
CADAA is submitted to the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC), a California state agency. CSAC does not share application information with federal immigration agencies. Many families with undocumented parents successfully complete CADAA each year. If you have specific concerns about your situation, consult an immigration attorney before applying.
Does my college need to know my immigration status?
California public colleges are prohibited from denying admission based on immigration status and are not required to ask. When submitting the AB 540 affidavit, you are certifying your high school attendance history — not your immigration status. Many students voluntarily identify as undocumented on applications because it enables access to campus support services, legal resources, and additional scholarship opportunities.
What if I live in a state with no Dream Act?
If your state does not have a Dream Act or state financial aid for undocumented students, your options are private scholarships (available nationally), institutional aid from private universities (many private colleges have their own aid programs not tied to federal status), and transferring to a community college in a state with stronger aid — California community colleges offer full tuition waivers for AB 540 students regardless of which state you grew up in, as long as you now reside in California.