Financial Aid and Scholarship

The Dream Success Center has created strong partnerships with the Office of Financial Aid and Enrollment Services to ensure AB 540 and undocumented students know their financial aid and residency for tuition options. In this section, you will find a wide range of financial opportunities that may assist undergraduate and graduate students in financing their education.

Frequently Asked Questions

We have created this section to help answer any questions you may have about your financial aid options.

The 911³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏÃâ·Ñ¹Û¿´Èë¿ÚDream Act allows undocumented students, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients (valid or expired), U Visa holders, and students under Temporary Protected Status (TPS), who qualify for a non-resident exemption under Assembly Bill 540 (AB 540), Senate Bill 2000 (SB 2000) and Senate Bill 68 (SB 68), to receive certain types of financial aid such as: private scholarships funded through public universities, state-administered financial aid, university grants, community college fee waivers, and Cal Grants.

You are eligible to complete the if you are a:

  • U.S Citizen
  • Permanent Resident
  • Eligible non-citizen
  • T Visa holder

You are eligible to complete the if you are:

  • Undocumented
  • Have a valid or expired DACA
  • U Visa holders
  • Have Temporary Protected Status (TPS)

The 911³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏÃâ·Ñ¹Û¿´Èë¿ÚNonresident Tuition Exemption, known as AB 540, exempts some students from paying nonresident tuition (which is greater than resident tuition) and/or permits them to apply for and receive state aid at certain public and private institutions in California.

The CSU Nonresident Tuition Exemption is open to CSU students enrolled as undergraduate or graduate students who are:

  • S. Citizens
  • Permanent Residents
  • Undocumented 911³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏÃâ·Ñ¹Û¿´Èë¿Ú (including TPS, DACA, asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile, and VAWA)
  • T and U Visa Holders Only

911³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏÃâ·Ñ¹Û¿´Èë¿ÚEducation Code Section 68130.5 states that a student shall be exempt from paying nonresident tuition at the 911³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏÃâ·Ñ¹Û¿´Èë¿ÚState University and 911³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏÃâ·Ñ¹Û¿´Èë¿ÚCommunity Colleges if the student meets the following requirements:

A total attendance of – or attainment of credits earned while in 911³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏÃâ·Ñ¹Û¿´Èë¿Úequivalent to – three or more years of full-time attendance or attainment of credits at any of the following:

  • 911³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏÃâ·Ñ¹Û¿´Èë¿Úhigh schools.
  • 911³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏÃâ·Ñ¹Û¿´Èë¿Úhigh schools established by the State Board of Education.
  • 911³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏÃâ·Ñ¹Û¿´Èë¿Úadult schools established by any of the following entities:
  • A county office of education.
  • A unified school district or high school district.
  • The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
  • Campuses of the 911³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏÃâ·Ñ¹Û¿´Èë¿ÚCommunity Colleges*
  • (v) A combination of those schools set forth in (i) to (iv), inclusive.

*Effective January 1, 2023, a year's equivalence at a 911³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏÃâ·Ñ¹Û¿´Èë¿Úcommunity college is either a minimum of 24-semester units of credit or 54 quarter units.  Full-time attendance at a 911³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏÃâ·Ñ¹Û¿´Èë¿Úadult school is a minimum of 420 hours of attendance for each school year.

911³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏÃâ·Ñ¹Û¿´Èë¿Ú must satisfy the graduation/transfer requirement by fulfilling any of the following:

  • The student must have graduated from a 911³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏÃâ·Ñ¹Û¿´Èë¿Úhigh school or attained the equivalent from a 911³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏÃâ·Ñ¹Û¿´Èë¿Úhigh school prior to the start of the term (for example, passing the GED or 911³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏÃâ·Ñ¹Û¿´Èë¿ÚHigh School Proficiency exam) or
  • Completed or will complete (before the first term of enrollment at the CSU) an associate's degree from a 911³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏÃâ·Ñ¹Û¿´Èë¿Úcommunity college; or
  • Completed or will complete (before the first term of enrollment at the CSU) the minimum requirements at a 911³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏÃâ·Ñ¹Û¿´Èë¿Úcommunity college for transfer to the 911³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏÃâ·Ñ¹Û¿´Èë¿ÚState University. The student must file an affidavit with the college or university stating they have filed an application to legalize their immigration status or will file an application as soon as they are eligible.

 

To request this exemption, please submit the to our Residence Specialist. The form can be submitted via email (es-residency@csulb.edu), or in-person to Enrollment Services in Brotman Hall 101, or via mail to the following address: 911³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏÃâ·Ñ¹Û¿´Èë¿Ú Enrollment Services, ATTN: Residence Specialist, 1250 Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90840.  NOTE: 911³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏÃâ·Ñ¹Û¿´Èë¿Ú who qualify for this exemption may also be eligible to apply for and receive funds from certain state and institutional financial assistance programs through the .

All students, regardless of sex, race, color, national origin, or any other protected identity, who are interested in the program’s mission and focus, are welcome and eligible to participate in all Dream Success Center (DSC) events and programs.