Important Terminology
Student Aid Index (SAI): An eligibility index number that a college's or career school's financial aid office uses to determine how much federal student aid the student would receive if the student attended the school. This number results from the information that the student provides in their CADAA form.
Student and Parent(s)
Family Size: Replaces the term “household size." It captures the appropriate number of family members and dependents in the applicant’s household.
Cal Student Aid Report (SAR): A summary of all information reported on the Dream Act, available a few days after you submit your application.
General CADAA FAQs
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.
- The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) will be changed to the Student Aid Index (SAI). SAI will be used when referring to the amount that families may be able to contribute towards the student’s education. This will also include a change in the financial aid calculation for students.
- CSAC is working to build the parental signature into the original submission, which may eliminate the separate PIN creation process that students and parents have done in the past
- Students will now be able to submit both their CADAA and their AB540 affidavit forms (also known as the nonresident tuition exemption form) at the same time
- There will be overall enhancements (per the recommendations of California higher education work groups) to reduce challenges for undocumented students accessing financial aid.
What will stay the same on the California DREAM Act Application (CADAA) Form?
- Unlike the new FAFSA, which will have the number of questions reduced, the CADAA will keep the same number of questions as before.
- The CADAA will have similar income requirements and questions as it has in the past.
- The new FAFSA has updated terminology, using “contributor” to describe anyone required to input their information into the FAFSA, including the student, parent(s), guardian(s), or spouse. The CADAA will keep the language as “student” and “parent”.
- Data sharing with the IRS will be available for the FAFSA, but not for the CADAA. CADAA filers will need to manually input their financial information. The new FAFSA requires the applicant and each contributor to individually consent to the direct data exchange with the IRS. Students filling out the CADAA do not have to complete this requirement. CADAA filers also do not need to create an FSA ID, while FAFSA filers do.
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:The new CADAA will be more enhanced, and the application process will be more streamlined, making it an easier user experience for students.
- Expanded eligibility for California student aid: The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) hopes to expand eligibility for California student aid, as the underlying calculation of the family’s ability to contribute will change. This will allow more students to qualify for more financial aid.
What documents will you need?
- Student’s name, permanent mailing address, and citizenship status
- Student‘s Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), Statewide Student Identification number, Social Security number, or Alien Registration number (if you have one)
- Parent's federal income tax return from tax year 2022 (if any contributors got an extension, complete soon to help with the process). If they didn’t file taxes, you can use information from their W-2 forms
- Student's 2022 federal income tax return, or evidence of income earned (W-2 form or pay records)
- Records of child support received and federal benefits (SNAP, WIC, TANF, etc.) received
- Current balances of cash, savings, and checking accounts
- Net worth of investments, rental properties, businesses, and farms
- Your school code: UCLA (001315)
What to expect after filing
Once completed, you will receive an email confirmation that you have successfully submitted your financial aid application.
You will need to log in to CADAA to view your Student Aid Report (SAR) or to check the status of your application.
- The SAR provides you with a Student Aid Index (SAI) amount for 2024-25. Financial Aid and Scholarships will use the SAI to determine the types of aid you for which you qualify.
- You also can print your SAR via the CADAA website (look for the “Cal SAR” tab in your online Dream Act application).
You can submit corrections to your application online through the CADAA website.
Common CADAA Mistakes
If the name, date of birth, and/or social security number you reported on the CADAA does not match what is on your school record, you will need to resolve the discrepancy before we can review your application and financial aid eligibility.
Compare the information you entered on the UC Application and the CADAA to your social security number. Make sure they are an exact match.
If your name, date of birth, and/or social security number are incorrect:
- You’ll need to submit a CADAA Name/Date of Birth Change Request.
- You'll also need to submit a correction with UCLA Admissions.
If your name, date of birth, and/or social security number are correct:
- Contact the Social Security Administration to ensure that the discrepancy is resolved.