Existing law exempts a student, other than a nonimmigrant alien, as defined, from paying nonresident tuition at the California State University and the California Community Colleges if the student meets certain requirements. Existing law makes a student who meets these requirements for exemption from nonresident tuition, or who meets equivalent requirements adopted by the Regents of the University of California, eligible to apply for, and participate in, any student financial aid program administered by the state to the full extent permitted by federal law. Existing law requires the Student Aid Commission to establish procedures and forms that enables enable these students to apply for, and participate in, those student financial aid programs.

This bill would require the commission, by the start of the 2026–27 financial aid cycle, to amend the California Dream Act application, and any of its grant processing systems, to clarify and ensure that the application can be used by any student eligible for state financial aid programs, regardless of their eligibility for federal financial aid. The bill would also require the commission to consult with the segments of postsecondary education in promoting California’s public and private colleges and universities to promote the California Dream Act application in a manner that maximizes the amount of federal aid that students may access while apprising students of the choices available regarding which application they and their families may use. effectively and inform students and their families of their available financial aid application options, as provided.