Resources

AB 540 is a California law passed in 2001 that allows eligible students to pay in-state tuition fees even though they are out-of-state students. At CSUN, out-of-state students pay an additional $372 per unit in fees. With AB 540, exempt students are treated as California residents and not required to pay out-of-state fees. AB 540 students are also eligible for the California Dream Act Application (CADAA).

• Please note that AB 540 is only for tuition purposes in California and does not provide legal residency, status, or pathways to achieve legal residency/status.
• AB 540 eligibility requirements:
  • Attend 3 or more years full-time at a California high school, adult school, community college or any combination of the three (or attain the credits equivalent to attendance).
  • Graduate from a California high school or obtain a GED, HiSET or TASC in California or obtain an associate degree at a California community college, or fulfill the minimum transfer requirements to transfer from a California Community College to a University of California or California State University.
  • Fill out the CSU Residency Questionnaire and California Nonresident Tuition Exemption Request. Once you have these complete, email them to residency@csun.edu.

The California Dream Act Application (CADAA) is California’s state financial aid application that allows undocumented AB 540 students to receive private scholarships, state and university grants, and eligibility to apply for state programs (i.e., EOP and EOPS). Students can complete the CADAA without an SSN or DACA. Completing the CADAA also qualifies students to apply for Cal Grants and the Middle-Class Scholarship. To apply, students must be AB 540 eligible, but other requirements can vary based on the award that they will receive.

CADAA applications open October 1 for the following academic year with a March 2 priority deadline. For example, applications for the 2026–27 academic year will open October 1, 2025, with a priority deadline of March 2, 2026. Students may receive reduced funds if their applications are not completed by the priority deadline.

Please note that students in graduate programs are ineligible for Cal Grants and the Middle-Class Scholarship but are still encouraged to complete the CADAA for the other benefits it provides.

Complete the CADAA Online

Scholarships are a financial aid award that you don’t have to pay back! Scholarships are typically targeted to specific demographics, including gender, ethnicity, major, state of residency or GPA. Different organizations may also check on applicants’ achievements to determine eligibility. Make sure to check eligibility requirements before applying.

Here are some links to help you start looking for scholarships open to undocumented and DACA students!

• Immigrant Rising Scholarships and Fellowships
• myMatador Scholarships
• MALDEF Scholarship Resources
• My Undocumented Life
• Scholarships A-Z
• Felice Samuel Greene Scholarship Fund
• United We Dream Scholarships
• Scholarships for Underrepresented Students
• Scholarship America
• DREAMER’s Roadmap: They also have an app that helps students find scholarships and will notify them when applications open.

Grants are federal- and state-assisted funds that don’t need to be paid back! Even though undocumented students can’t receive federal aid, they can still receive state aid. Also, the Cal Grant and the Middle-Class Scholarship share their applications with CADAA. Complete the CADAA online to be eligible to receive grants and certain scholarships.

CSUN and the CSU system also provide grants to eligible students. Visit CSUN’s Grant page to learn more.

The Dream Act Service Incentive Grant (DSIG) program provides financial assistance to eligible CADAA students who complete community or volunteer service. This program allows students to gain valuable, hand-on experience while earning additional financial aid. Please note that DSIG is a separate application from CADAA.

To be eligible, students must have:

• Applied for CADAA
• Received either a Cal Grant A or B award (you can check this on WebGrants 4 Students)
• Enrolled in at least 6 units
• Demonstrate sufficient financial need

Graduate students are ineligible for DSIG since they are ineligible for Cal Grants.

Students may earn up to $4,500 per academic year ($2,250 per semester) and can apply for up to 8 semesters (4 years). Applications open July 1 and close on June 30 or are open until 1,667 awards are exhuasted per academic year (whichever comes first). Once admitted, students must complete 300 service hours by the end of the academic year (roughly 150 per semester). A student doesn’t have to complete 150 hours in the fall semester, but they must complete 300 hours by the end of the academic year to be compensated. Students cannot request payment until they have completed at least 150 hours. In addition, students must volunteer at an organization that is either related to their field of study or a community need.

Students can join organizations on and off campus! Here is a list of off-campus organizations already partnered with the DSIG Program! Don't see an organization you’d like to work for? Have them fill out the Service Organization Registration form. Please note that students cannot volunteer and use the DSIG with organizations that engage in political, social and religious advocacy.

Loans are money that students may borrow to help pay for college and must be paid back with interest when a student completes or leaves school. Undocumented students are ineligible for federal loans but may apply for private loans. Private lenders may have varying eligibility requirements, including credit scores or requiring a co-signer who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

DREAM Loan Program

The DREAM Loan Program allows eligible CADAA applicants to apply for a loan to help pay for university. Students will be notified if they are eligible by the Financial Aid & Scholarships Department in mid- to late-October. Please note that being eligible for the loan program during a given year does not guarantee that you will receive funds in subsequent years.

To be eligible, students must:

• Have an AB 540 affidavit on file with Admissions and Records
• Complete the CADAA before the priority deadline (March 2)
• Be an undergraduate student
• Be enrolled in at least 6 units
• Have sufficient financial need
• Maintain satisfactory academic process (SAP)
• Not be in default (be behind on payments) on federal, state or institutional loans

Once accepted into the program:

• Students must complete entrance and exit counseling (information will be provided when the loan is awarded)
• Complete an annual promissory note agreeing to the current loan interest rate (the interest rate varies and is in alignment with the Federal Direct Subsidized Loan interest rate)
• Student will not accrue interest while in school, grace or deferment
• Students will receive a 6-month grace period after dropping below half-time enrollment (less than 6 units)
• Students are eligible for deferment and forbearance under the same conditions as the Federal Direct Subsidized Loan program

Loan Repayment: There is only one standard 10-year repayment plan.

Minimum payment: $50 (the amount depends on the total amount borrowed)

Students will default after 6 months of being delinquent.

There is a $4 late fee assessed for late payments.

ECSI is the contracted servicer of this loan program.

The DREAM Loan Program is dependent on annual funding—availability is not guaranteed.

Let’s Talk is a University Counseling Services program that provides walk-in appointments about specific problems a student may face. Walk-in appointments are available at the DREAM Center and are facilitated by Juan Ortiz from 2 – 3 p.m..

While Let’s Talk is facilitated by mental health professionals, Let’s Talk is not a substitute for formal counseling or psychotherapy and does not constitute mental health treatment.

Flutter is a wellness support group for undocumented, documented and mixed-status students at CSUN provided by University Counseling Services. Weekly virtual meetings provide a safe and confidential space for students to share their unique experiences, challenges, and successes, fostering community and support with one another.

To participate in this group, schedule a pre-group meeting with Dr. Araceli Mejia at 818-677-3401 and fill out the Group and Workshop Interest Form. Even if the group’s schedule doesn’t fit yours, fill out the interest form to find out about alternatives.

This off-campus resource hosted by Immigrants Rising provides undocumented students free and confidential virtual mental health services. To be eligible, students must:

• Be enrolled in an undergraduate program, trade/technical school or a vocational program
• Be in California during the sessions
• Have your own tools for online sessions (laptop, phone, etc.)
• Be between the ages of 18 and 45
• Have difficulties accessing affordable or culturally sensitive therapists
• Feel comfortable conversing in English

Students are offered about 28 sessions. Even though there are guidelines, the program can make accommodations for those who fall outside these criteria upon request and availability of volunteer therapists.

Get Connected with Immigrants Rising

• UndocuBlack Network is an organization that aims to connect Black immigrants and share resources on mental health and immigrant justice incentive.
• African Communities Together is an organization in which African immigrants advocate for civil rights, opportunities and better lives for people in the U.S. and internationally.
• Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI) is an organization that educates and engages with African American and Black communities to organize and advocate for racial, social and economic justice.
• Black LGBTQIA+ Migrant Project (BLMP) is an organization that supports Black LGBTQIA2S+ migrants. It offers services such as deportation defense, networking opportunities, political education and leadership development.
• Felecia Russel is an UndocuBlack immigrant who is knowledgeable about the UnodocuBlack experience in an academic context.

• National Korean American Service and Education is an organization that advocates for Koreans, Asian Americans and immigrants to achieve social, racial and economic justice. It provides a 24/7 hotline in case ICE is at your door. Support in English and Korean is available at 1-844-500-3222.
• Empowering Pacific Islander Communities (EPIC) uses research to advocate for the specific needs of Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders.
• Korean Resource Center (KRC) provides free legal services and other services related to housing and health care.
• Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC) provides free legal immigration screenings as well as services regarding housing, family law, healthcare and advocacy opportunities.

• UndocuQueer Health Resource Guide offers a list of mental health, religious, general health, housing, legal and educational resources that support undocumented LGBTQIA2S+ immigrants.
• Transgender Law Center Immigration Resources provides resources for transgender individuals navigating the immigration system, preparing transgender individuals for ICE raids and advocating to educate policymakers and asylum judges about the unique challenges faced by transgender migrants.
• Queer Immigrant Justice Project provides free legal services for legal name changes, gender marker changes, affirmative/defensive immigration representation and referrals to social service organizations and community-based education/engagement.