Successfully Submitting the CA Dream Application & Implementation at CA Public Universities

Today’s AGENDA Overview of CA Dream Application Questions & Answers Regarding Implementation of CA Dream Act with UC, CSU, CCC & CSAC

Dream Application Overview Dream Application Overview Presentation Created By: Nancy Jodaitis Financial Aid Counselor AB 540 Advisor Dream Act Coordinator San Francisco State University & E4FC Educator Action Group

Question & Answers with CA Dream Application Panel [Enter Presenter’s name here]

Workshop Overview KEY POINTS to REMEMBER OVERVIEW of the Application WHEN & HOW to Apply WHO Should Fill Out Application PARENTAL Information Needed? Highlighting SPECIFIC Problem Areas Successfully SUBMITTING Dream App RESOURCES Available

Dream Act Aid is not Deferred Action (DACA) CA Dream Act aid is completely separate from Federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) DACA does not confer a new citizenship status for students, only an Employment Authorization Card & stay of deportation. DACA does NOT make student eligible for FAFSA. For more info on DACA – visit uscis.gov, nilc.org, maldef.org, e4fc.org/dacaguide 6

CA Dream Act of 2011 Overview Allows non-resident students to pay in-state fees AB 540 – 2001 Private Scholarships can be administered by public institutions AB 130 – July 2011 State funded grants including Cal Grants and institutional grants AB 131 – October

Changes for Application New Look & Format is User-Friendly 1 st Question: DREAM App & DACA Individual Sections by Tabs Contains Skip Logic and Pop-Ups Timer Reminds Students to Save App Identifies Dependent & Independent Confirmation Page Easier to Access

Overview of CA Dream Application Instructions: Dream Application or FAFSA? A. Student Questions B. Dependency Determination C. Parent Questions & Income (If required) D. Signature E. Confirmation Page F. CalSAR (Cal Student Aid Report)

The deadline is MARCH 2 ND !*!*! REALLY !

On-Line Application AVAILABLE January 6, 2014 to March 2, 2014 (Priority filing period) Paper application is also available, online recommended.

Online Application is MUCH FASTER!

Who Can Fill out Dream App? ONLY AB 540 Students & U-Visa Holders should fill out the Dream Application

Citizens & Legal Perm Residents= FAFSA

Eligible Non-Citizens & T Visa = FAFSA

14-15 Application ASKS about DACA

Dream App Identifies Eligibility Criteria Checks up front whether DREAM or FAFSA should be used. Reiterates Need to qualify for AB 540 criteria to meet DREAM eligibility.

AB 540 Students Qualifications Must be classified as AB 540 Student by CSU, UC or CCC This means student must: ◦ File non-resident tuition exemption affidavit AND ◦ Present official high school transcripts three years & graduation at CA High School ◦ Receive confirmation that they have been classified as an AB 540 student

Citizenship Status for Dream App MUST CHOOSE: Not a citizen or eligible noncitizen

20 MIRROR APPLICATIONS FAFSADREAM

Documents Needed to Complete CA Dream Application W-2 forms and other 2013 records of income 2013 Income Tax Return (s) (if student or parents have one) Records of child support paid (if applicable) Records of student scholarships included in student or parents’ taxes (if applicable) Current investment records Current business and farm records (if over 100 employees) Current bank statements (if applicable)

Parental Information & Signature Required UNLESS Student Is: Born Before 1/1/91 Married Has dependent children OR dependents (other than spouse) for whom they provide more than 50% of their support Attending Graduate School Active in Armed Forces or Veteran Court Certified Minor in the United States (Legal Guardianship, Foster Care, etc.)

Must be Verified by Court in US Foster Care or Ward of Court Emancipated Minor Legal Guardianship Unaccompanied Youth who was Homeless ◦ (emergency & shelter homeless or transitional housing)

Parental Information Required Biological or Adoptive Parents ONLY NOT Grandmothers, Uncles, Brothers, Sisters, ETC. Unless it would cause physical or emotional harm to contact parents…. Then write letter explaining situation & contact school regarding Dependency Override

Parents Living in Other Countries Fill out application on-line if they have access to the internet Work with student to complete on-line application via phone or mail Indicate foreign taxes & convert to $$ Submit with P.I.N. if possible. If not, student can send signature page to parent and have them return to CSAC PRIOR to March 2 nd

Documents Needed to Complete CA Dream Application W-2 forms and other 2012 records of income (if student or parents have any) 2012 Income Tax Return (s) (if student or parents have one) Records of child support paid (if applicable) Records of student scholarships included in student or parents’ taxes (if applicable) Current investment records Current business and farm records (if over 100 employees) Current bank statements (if applicable)

Household Income Student must report income and any cash support given by relatives except food & housing If student is under 24 years old, their parents must also report their income and any cash support given by relatives except food & housing (Unless married, have children, graduate student, etc.)

Verification of Household Income Some students may have to verify household income. If student or parent meet income guidelines, they might be required to present an IRS tax return transcript and/or W2 or 1099 Forms. Student & Parent can file taxes using ITIN or SSN at ww.irs.gov

Again… the deadline is MARCH 2 ND !*!*! REALLY !

Don’t Wait ~ ESTIMATE!! If taxes aren’t filed in January or February, MEET THE MARCH 2 ND DEADLINE by answering: □ Will File Taxes □ Already Filed Taxes □ Not Required to File Taxes After taxes are filed, go to caldreamact.org and update from ‘Will File’ to ‘Already Filed’ Input actual numbers from 1040 forms

AB 131 CA State Financial Aid Programs for UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS California State GRANTS: Financial aid that does not have to be repaid. University Grants (UC, CSU, CCC) Varies by school (Usually covers state fees) ACADEMIC YEAR Cal Grant A$5,472- $12,192 Cal Grant B$6,945- $13,665 Cal Grant CVocational programs only EOP Grant$100 - $1,000

University of California Undergraduate AB 130/131 Financial Aid Programs Grants and Scholarships Financial aid that does not have to be repaid. University Grants Cost of Attendance less “self-help” expectation ScholarshipsCriteria Vary by Campus Loans and Work-Study Financial aid that has to be earned or repaid University Work-Study Students with permission to work in the US through DACA. Up to $4000 by campus. LoansA limited number of campuses offer University Loans

AB 130/131 CA State Financial Aid Programs for GRADUATE STUDENTS California State GRANTS: Financial aid that does not have to be repaid. AB 130 Departmental Funds Available Amounts & Availability Varies per Campus/Dept. at CSU or UC AB 131 University Grants Usually Covers State Fees CSU – State U Grant$2,437 (PT) $3,369 (FT) UC GrantUndergrad ONLY Cal GrantsUndergrad ONLY EOP GrantUndergrad ONLY

Applying for Cal Grant Submit California Dream Application AND Non-SSN Cal Grant GPA Verification Form BY MARCH 2, 2013

ANY Information MAILED to CSAC POSTMARKED by deadline date California Student Aid Commission P.O. Box Rancho Cordova, Calfornia Be Sure to get a CERTIFICATE of MAILING from U.S. Post Office to prove you mailed information by deadline date. Cost: $1.15

For CAL GRANTS: Create an account at WebGrants4Students DREAM ID Needed to check status

Check your CAL Grant status and Make SURE the Proper School is Listed

BOGG Fee Waiver at CCCs Standard BOGG Fee Waiver Application for AB 540 students Per Each CCC, Use as Stand Alone or In Conjunction with CSAC Dream Application

Selective Service Registration Male between the ages of 18 to 25 years MUST register with selective service to meet eligibility requirements. Over 26 must document inability to register, send letter explaining why didn’t register Get more info at

Students should register via mailing in a selective service registration postcard or U.S. Post Office

Successfully Submitting Application STUDENT chooses their User ID and password. This will substitute as their P.I.N. (personal id) to sign the application. PARENT chooses “Add Parent Signature”, and has student sign into their account. Parent puts in parent name, birthdate and wages to create PARENT PIN, which they use to sign application. Use confirmation tab to confirm signature

Common Problems with Filling Out Application or Receiving DREAM Funds Student Name Doesn’t Match Missed Priority Deadline Parent Signature MISSING Legal Guardianship not recognized in US Students not classified as AB 540 at college Forgot to Register for Selective Service

STUDENT IS RESPONSIBLE TO CHECK APPLICATION STATUS with CSAC & their Financial Aid Office CHECK DREAM Confirmation Page CHECK Financial Aid at All Schools Is Financial Aid Office waiting for any documents from YOU?? CHECK you used for application VISIT or Call the Office with Questions~ BE PROACTIVE!

Where To Get INFO/HELP with CA Dream Application?? CA Student Aid Commission or CA Dream Application Financial Aid Office ◦ Website, By Phone, , In-Person

RESOURCES AVAILABLE for Dream App CA Dream Act Instructions ww.caldreamact.org Guidelines for Dream Application ~finaid/ab540

Guidelines for Dream Application Available On-Line

AB 540 WEBSITE at SF STATE

UC Berkeley undocu.berkeley.edu

UC RESOURCES AVAILABLE for Dream App University of California Information Help from UC Berkeley undergraduates/types_dream.htm undergraduates/types_dream.htm and

Educators for Fair Consideration Dream Act Guide Financial Aid Guide Scholarship Lists DACA Information Legal Remedies Life After College Guide All free and downloadable

Make A Friend In Financial AID You Are Welcome to Contact: Nancy Jodaitis San Francisco State University

Any Questions?