SB-323
Education

Student Aid Commission: California Dream Act application.

Engrossed
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Expands the California Dream Act application to serve all students eligible for state financial aid by 2026.
  • Requires colleges to inform students about financial aid options and application differences.
  • Mandates clear disclosure that Dream Act applicants cannot receive federal financial aid.

Summary

Senator Pérez's legislation directs the California Student Aid Commission to modify the California Dream Act application process to accommodate all students eligible for state financial aid programs, regardless of their federal aid status. The changes must be implemented before the 2026-27 financial aid cycle.

The bill requires the Commission to collaborate with California's public and private colleges and universities on promoting the Dream Act application while clearly communicating available financial aid options to students and families. The Commission must prominently display eligibility criteria, types of aid available through each application pathway, and key differences between applications on its website and Dream Act forms. Applicants must also explicitly acknowledge that completing the Dream Act application precludes consideration for federal student aid programs.

These modifications build upon existing provisions that allow students exempt from non-resident tuition under Education Code Section 68130.5 to access state financial aid programs. The bill maintains current eligibility requirements while updating administrative procedures to ensure the application system serves all qualifying students.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Assembly Higher Education Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Higher Education Hearing
Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate 3rd Reading SB323 Pérez
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Do pass
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Placed on suspense file
Senate Education Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Education Hearing
Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
Introduced
Senate Floor
Introduced
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Anna CaballeroD
Senator
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Sabrina CervantesD
Senator
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 19 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 4
Select All Legislators
Profile
Anna CaballeroD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Sabrina CervantesD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Mike FongD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Diane DixonR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Gregg HartD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Blanca PachecoD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Gail PellerinD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Kate SanchezR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Tri TaR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Jessica CalozaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Robert GarciaD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Mark GonzalezD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Heather HadwickR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Jose SolacheD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Sasha Renee PerezD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Sade ElhawaryD
Assemblymember
Committee Member

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Sasha Renee Perez
Sasha Renee PerezD
California State Senator
Co-Authors
Anna Caballero
Anna CaballeroD
California State Senator
Sabrina Cervantes
Sabrina CervantesD
California State Senator
Robert Garcia
Robert GarciaD
California State Assembly Member
Jose Solache
Jose SolacheD
California State Assembly Member
40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (6/2/2025)

Latest Voting History

July 8, 2025
PASS
Assembly Committee
Assembly Higher Education Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
82010PASS

Key Takeaways

  • Expands the California Dream Act application to serve all students eligible for state financial aid by 2026.
  • Requires colleges to inform students about financial aid options and application differences.
  • Mandates clear disclosure that Dream Act applicants cannot receive federal financial aid.

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Sasha Renee Perez
Sasha Renee PerezD
California State Senator
Co-Authors
Anna Caballero
Anna CaballeroD
California State Senator
Sabrina Cervantes
Sabrina CervantesD
California State Senator
Robert Garcia
Robert GarciaD
California State Assembly Member
Jose Solache
Jose SolacheD
California State Assembly Member

Summary

Senator Pérez's legislation directs the California Student Aid Commission to modify the California Dream Act application process to accommodate all students eligible for state financial aid programs, regardless of their federal aid status. The changes must be implemented before the 2026-27 financial aid cycle.

The bill requires the Commission to collaborate with California's public and private colleges and universities on promoting the Dream Act application while clearly communicating available financial aid options to students and families. The Commission must prominently display eligibility criteria, types of aid available through each application pathway, and key differences between applications on its website and Dream Act forms. Applicants must also explicitly acknowledge that completing the Dream Act application precludes consideration for federal student aid programs.

These modifications build upon existing provisions that allow students exempt from non-resident tuition under Education Code Section 68130.5 to access state financial aid programs. The bill maintains current eligibility requirements while updating administrative procedures to ensure the application system serves all qualifying students.

40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (6/2/2025)

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Assembly Higher Education Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Higher Education Hearing
Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate 3rd Reading SB323 Pérez
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Do pass
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Placed on suspense file
Senate Education Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Education Hearing
Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
Introduced
Senate Floor
Introduced
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Latest Voting History

July 8, 2025
PASS
Assembly Committee
Assembly Higher Education Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
82010PASS

Contacts

Profile
Anna CaballeroD
Senator
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Sabrina CervantesD
Senator
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 19 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 4
Select All Legislators
Profile
Anna CaballeroD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Sabrina CervantesD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Mike FongD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Diane DixonR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Gregg HartD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Blanca PachecoD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Gail PellerinD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Kate SanchezR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Tri TaR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Jessica CalozaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Robert GarciaD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Mark GonzalezD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Heather HadwickR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Jose SolacheD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Sasha Renee PerezD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Sade ElhawaryD
Assemblymember
Committee Member