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Financial Aid

CA Dream Act - Financial Aid for AB 540 Eligible Students

The AB 540 benefit is available to all U.S. citizens, permanent residents of the U.S., and aliens who are not nonimmigrants (including those who are undocumented), who meet all other eligibility criteria.

In 2001, Assembly Bill (AB) 540 was passed to allow non-resident students who meet specific high school criteria to pay the lower resident fees at California's public colleges and universities.

The California Dream Act: 

  • In July 2011, AB 130 was passed to allow students who meet AB 540 criteria (California Education Code 68130.5(a)) to apply for and receive non-state funded scholarships for public colleges and universities.

  • Dream Act Part II: In October 2011, AB 131 was passed to allow students who meet AB 540 criteria to apply for and receive state-funded financial aid such as institutional grants, community college fee waivers, Cal Grant and Chafee Grant. AB 131 goes into effect beginning January 1, 2013.

Financial Aid for AB 540 Eligible Students

You must be determined AB 540 eligible by the Admissions & Records Office.

U.S. Citizens or Eligible Non-Citizens

If you are not a California resident, but meet the AB 540 criteria, your non-resident tuition will be waived until you have established CA residency (1 year and 1 day) with Admissions & Records.  You may qualify for Federal and State financial aid if you submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Undocumented, Under-documented, and DACA Non-Citizens

If you meet the AB 540 criteria, you may qualify to receive State financial aid if you submit the California Dream Act Application (CADAA).

How to Apply

STEP #1: Submit the AB 540 & AB2000 California Nonresident Tuition form to the Admissions & Records Office for an AB 540 eligibility determination. Contact the Welcome Center in person or by phone at (707) 256-7214 for additional information. You may disregard this step if you have already been determine AB 540 eligible with the Admissions & Records Office.

NOTICE FOR DACA STUDENTS:  You must be determined AB 540 eligible in order to qualify for Cal Grants and/or the Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) program.

STEP #2: Submit your financial aid application. All AB 540 eligible applicants are considered for the CA College Promise Grant (formerly BOG fee waiver). U.S. Citizens and eligible non-citizens are considered for Federal and State aid. Undocumented non-citizens, including students who have completed the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), are considered for State aid only. All students must apply for scholarships separately.

STEP #3:  Login to WebAdvisor, Financial Aid Self Service, to check your financial aid status and awards (preferred method):

  • Documents required to complete your financial aid application (FAFSA and CA Dream App) may be found under the FA Self Service link. Submit any required documents promptly to the Financial Aid/EOPS Office to avoid awarding delays.  Documents are now available online using DocuSign services.

  • Financial aid award letters and  individual awards, including CCPG, grants, and scholarships may be found under the review awards link.

You may also call or visit the Financial Aid/EOPS/Veterans Services Office using our virtual services during regular business hours to make an online video appointment to meet with a Financial Aid staff person.  A picture ID will be required to verify your identity when you arrive for your scheduled video appointment. Due to confidentiality laws, the Financial Aid/EOPS Office cannot give out information about your application over the phone or by email.

Step #4:  Pay to Stay - Napa Valley College has a Pay to Stay in your classes policy. Students who register for classes, but fail to pay their course related fees in full, will be dropped from their classes after the grace period has ended.

  • Napa Valley College (NVC) Promise Program:  If you are a recent high school graduate, you may qualify to have your enrollment, course, and semester fees paid for you through the NVC Promise program. To see if you qualify, click here to view the NVC Promise webpage.
  • If you qualify for the CA College Promise Grant (CCPG-formerly BOG fee waiver), only the enrollment fees will be waived when you register for classes. You are responsible for paying all other course related fees IN FULL. Any unpaid or partially paid courses will be dropped for non-payment after the 7-day grace period.
  • Pay your outstanding fees on WebAdvisor or in person at the Cashier Office. You will have a 7 days from the date you register to pay all of your course fees in full or you will be dropped for non-payment.
  • If you pay your enrollment fees and then become eligible for the CCPG or the NVC Promise, the enrollment fees or NVC Promise covered fees you paid will be refunded to you.

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  • California Dream Act Application
    The California Dream Application may be used by AB 540 eligible students (who cannot file the FAFSA) to apply for California grants and fee waivers. Student who qualify for federal student aid should file the FAFSA.
  • What is AB540?
    Easy to understand information about AB540 eligibility criteria and other related information.