Brief Overview on the changes for CADAA Filers
The California Student Aid Commission is making changes to the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) to include some of the updates in the FAFSA Simplification Act. All students must complete either the FAFSA or CADAA to be considered for government student aid.
The Commission intends to release the updated CADAA on the same day as the new FAFSA. The application will be delayed from October 1 to December 2023 (exact date to be determined). Updates to both programs are expected to expand financial aid eligibility for many students.
We will continue to update this webpage as we receive more information from the California Student Aid Commission.
Will there be changes to the California DREAM Act Application (CADAA) Form?
The CADAA application questions will change as well to follow the format of the FAFSA and the underlying calculation of the family’s ability to contribute will change as well. However; since data sharing with the IRS will not be available, there will be no requirement to create an FSA ID or consent to data sharing with the IRS.
What are the major changes to key CADAA application dates?
- The 2024/2025 FAFSA and CADAA forms will be available by the end of December 2023 (instead of October as in previous years). The exact date has not yet been released by the U.S. Department of Education.
- In the future years, the FAFSA and CADAA are expected to open on October 1st
- The Cal Grant priority deadline for the 2024/25 academic year has been extended to April 2, 2024, due to the delayed application opening. UCLA students are still encouraged to complete the FAFSA by March 2, 2024 priority date to allow for new freshman and new transfer students to receive timely aid offers.
What are the benefits of FAFSA Simplification for CADAA filers?
Students and families will see a different measure of their ability to pay for college and experience a change in the methodology used to determine aid. The benefits of CADAA simplification include:
- An enhanced application process
- Expanded eligibility for California student aid
Better CADAA: Embedding the AB 540 Affidavit in the CADAA (AB 1540)
Starting with the 2024-25 CA Dream Act Application (CADAA), students will experience a more streamlined financial aid process as they will be able to submit both their CADAA and AB 540 affidavit form (also known as the nonresident tuition exemption form) at the same time.