California Dream Act

The Financial Aid Office offers a variety of programs to assist students with meeting the costs of higher education. You must complete the California Dream Act Application on the web to apply for State-funded programs. 

When you complete your CA Dream Act application, the information you provide will be used to determine your eligibility for the following State-funded programs:  

California Promise Grant 

For eligible California residents, the California Community College system offers a fee waiver program known as the California College Promise Grant (formerly known as Board of Governors Enrollment Fee Waiver or BOGW). The program may waive the enrollment fees for an eligible student. 

Cal Grant

The State of California, through the Student Aid Commission, offers several grant programs for undergraduate students. These include Cal Grant A, B, and C. A student can receive only one type of Cal Grant.

Cal Grant B - Cal Grant B provides students a living allowance and tuition and fee assistance for low-income students. Awards for most first-year students are limited to an allowance for books and living expenses.

  • Student Success Completion Grant (SSCG): The intent of this grant is to support student persistence, retention and success by providing additional assistance to Cal Grant B recipients who are enrolled in a minimum of 15 unit per term and have a minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA. 

Cal Grant C - Cal Grant C awards assist with tuition and training costs at occupational or vocational programs. The award can include an amount for books, tools and equipment.

Chafee Grant (For Foster Students Only)

If you are or were in foster care and have financial need, you may qualify for up to $5,000 a year for career and technical training or college. You don’t have to pay this money back. You can use your Chafee Grant at any eligible California college or university or career or technical school, as well as schools in other states.  

Middle Class Scholarship (only offered at CSU/UC)

Is a program that provides undergraduate students with family incomes up to $150,000 and a maximum annual household asset amount of $150,000, a scholarship to attend University of California (UC) or California State University (CSU) campuses.

Scholarships

Students should also seek and apply for scholarships. We encourage you to  visit the Hartnell College Scholarship page  for additional scholarship information.

On-Campus Resources:

Visit Mi CASA: Hartnell College Dreamer Center

The Center for Achievement and Student Advancement (Mi CASA) is committed to supporting all students regardless of their residency status by providing a safe space for Dreamers (Building B, Room 204A) and providing additional resources such as helping students complete the AB540 Affidavit and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) paperwork. Mi CASA also provides additional counseling and scholarship information. 

EOPS

The Hartnell College office of Extended Opportunity Program and Services (EOPS) provides support services to first generation, low income, under-represented college students. Students must complete a application with EOPS to be considered.

Additional Resources:

Immigrants Rising: Empowering undocumented young people in their pursuit of educational and career goals.

The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF): Since its founding MALDEF has supported the next generation of civil rights advocates for the Latino Community. MALDEF currently offers a Scholarship Resource Guide for high school, college, and graduate students.

National Immigration Law Center: one of the leading organizations in the U.S. exclusively dedicated to defending and advancing the rights of low-income immigrants. 

I Can Afford College: Is a statewide, financial aid awareness initiative sponsored by the California Community Colleges. This link features additional information on they types of aid that are available to Dream Act (AB 540) students.