How to Apply - DREAM (Graduate Students)

Completing the DREAM Application is the first step toward getting financial aid for college.

Your DREAM Application is used to determine your eligibility for CSULB financial aid, and some scholarship providers may use your DREAM Application information to determine whether you qualify for their awards. When you fill out the DREAM Application, you are applying for aid for a specific year. In order to receive aid the next year, you’ll need to submit that next year’s Application.

Submit or renew your DREAM Application between October 1 and March 2 for the following academic year. The DREAM Application becomes available every October 1. Be sure to file before the priority filing deadline (March 2) in order to be considered for financial aid!

If you missed the DREAM Application Deadline, you will not be eligible for any CSULB Institutional Grants for the academic year. You may wish to still complete the DREAM Application, as some scholarships, or private loans, may require you to complete the DREAM application to be considered.

DREAM students pursuing a graduate degree are eligible to be considered for the State University Grant; eligibility for SUG is determined by the DREAM Application. 

In order to be eligible for funding through the DREAM Application, you must meet the AB540 criteria

Your eligibility for AB540 status must be confirmed by CSULB Admissions before we can determine your eligibility for financial aid through the DREAM Act. Be sure that you have submitted your AB540 Affidavit (California Non-Resident Tuition Exemption Request Form) with Admissions / Enrollment Services – or do so as soon as possible. Monitor your email for any follow up requests for documents needed to confirm your status.

Males between the ages of 18 and 25 are required to register with Selective Service.

  • If you have a Social Security Number, you can register online at the Selective Service website
  • If you would like CSAC to forward your information to Selective Service for registration, you can indicate so on your DREAM Application
  • If you don’t have a Social Security Number, you can view available resources

For more information on DREAM eligibility, visit the California Student Aid Commission’s DREAM Website.

All students pursuing a graduate degree (Master’s or Doctoral) are considered to be “Independent” for financial aid purposes. As a result, parent information does not need to be reported on your DREAM Application. 

The DREAM Application asks for important personal identification information as well as financial information. You should have the following information and documents with you as you fill out your Dream Application:

You should have the following information and documents with you as you fill out your Dream Application:

  • Your Social Security Number (if you have one)
  • Your Driver’s License number if you have one
  • Federal Tax information or tax returns – including IRS W-2 information for you (and your spouse if
    married)
  • Records of your untaxed income, such as child support received, interest income, and veterans non-
    education benefits for you (and your spouse if married)
  • Information on cash, savings, and checking account balances; investments – including real estate (not
    including the home in which you live); and business and farm assets for you (and your spouse if married).

Be sure to use the exact name and date of birth on the DREAM Application that you use on your application for admission!

Completing the DREAM Application is not the last step; your application has to be processed, and then you get an Expected Family Contribution (EFC), which CSULB uses to figure out how much aid you can get.

  • After initial successful submission of your application, CSAC will send you an email with your nine-digit Dream I.D. number. If you do not receive an email from CSAC, be sure to check your spam/junk mail folders. Keep your Dream I.D. number in a safe place because you will use it to log back into the Dream Application, when you correct errors on the Dream Application, or when you talk to CSAC or your school. Be sure to review the Confirmation Page within your application to alert you to error codes that need correction.
  • Review your California Student Aid Report (CA-SAR). Your SAR will list the information that you
    provided on the California Dream Act Application, as well as an Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
  • Check your CA-SAR for accuracy:
    • If no corrections are needed, save the form for your records.
    • If corrections are needed, return to the California Dream Act website and
      make the changes immediately. Keep in mind every time a correction is made, you must sign your application.

Both the EdD and the DPT Program begin enrollment with the Summer term, which is considered to be part of the previous academic year. Financial aid may be available for your Summer term, but may require completion of a separate process – including completing a separate DREAM application (for the prior academic year – if one is not already on file at CSULB).

Review the Information Guide for your program, which details the process, and required Applications, for students applying to the Ed.D. or DPT Programs.

If you missed the Priority Filing Deadline (March 2), you will have missed the opportunity to be considered for CSULB Grant funds for the upcoming year. 

You may still wish to complete the DREAM Application, though, as some scholarships, or private loans may require you to complete the DREAM Application to be considered.

You will have the opportunity to be considered for CSULB Institutional Grants next year – you must complete a new DREAM Application for each academic year. The DREAM Application becomes available every October 1 and must be completed by the Priority Filing Deadline (March 2) in order for you to be considered for CSULB Grant funds.