SB-323 • 2026

Student Aid Commission: California Dream Act application.

Education

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Pérez
Last action: 2025-08-29
Official status: August 29 hearing postponed by committee.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide specific details on how much additional federal aid students might receive as a result of these changes, nor does it specify penalties for failing to meet deadlines.

California Dream Act Application Changes

This law requires the Student Aid Commission to update the California Dream Act application by the start of the 2026-27 school year so that it can be used by any student eligible for state financial aid, regardless of their eligibility for federal financial aid.

What This Bill Does

Requires the Student Aid Commission to change the California Dream Act application and its grant processing systems by the start of the 2026-27 school year so that it can be used by any student eligible for state financial aid, regardless of their eligibility for federal financial aid.
Requires the commission to work with California’s public and private colleges and universities to promote the use of the California Dream Act application effectively.

Who It Names or Affects

Students who are eligible for state financial aid but not necessarily for federal financial aid.
Colleges and universities in California, both public and private.

Terms To Know

California Dream Act: A program that helps students pay for college if they cannot get federal financial aid because of their immigration status.
Student Aid Commission: The group in charge of managing and distributing student financial aid in California.

Limits and Unknowns

It is not clear how much extra money students will get from federal programs as a result of these changes.
This bill does not specify the consequences if the Student Aid Commission fails to make the required updates by the deadline.

Bill History

2025-08-29 California Legislative Information
August 29 hearing postponed by committee.
2025-08-20 California Legislative Information
August 20 set for first hearing. Placed on APPR. suspense file.
2025-07-10 California Legislative Information
Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2025-07-09 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 8. Noes 2.) (July 8).
2025-06-09 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on HIGHER ED.
2025-06-03 California Legislative Information
In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.
2025-06-02 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 31. Noes 1. Page 1365.) Ordered to the Assembly.
2025-05-23 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2025-05-23 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 5. Noes 0. Page 1196.) (May 23).
2025-05-16 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing May 23.
2025-05-05 California Legislative Information
May 5 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file.
2025-04-25 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing May 5.
2025-04-23 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 6. Noes 0. Page 865.) (April 23). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2025-04-04 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing April 23.
2025-04-02 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on ED.
2025-03-25 California Legislative Information
From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on RLS.
2025-02-19 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on RLS.
2025-02-12 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 14.
2025-02-11 California Legislative Information
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Official Summary Text

SB 323, as amended, Pérez.
Student Aid Commission: California Dream Act application.
Existing law exempts a student, other than a nonimmigrant alien, as defined, from paying nonresident tuition at the California State University and the California Community Colleges if the student meets certain requirements. Existing law makes a student who meets these requirements for exemption from nonresident tuition, or who meets equivalent requirements adopted by the Regents of the University of California, eligible to apply for, and participate in, any student financial aid program administered by the state to the full extent permitted by federal law. Existing law requires the Student Aid Commission to establish procedures and forms that
enables
enable
these students to apply for, and
participate in, those student financial aid programs.
This bill would require the commission, by the start of the 2026–27 financial aid cycle, to amend the California Dream Act application, and any of its grant processing systems, to clarify and ensure that the application can be used by any student eligible for state financial aid programs, regardless of their eligibility for federal financial aid. The bill would also require the commission to consult with
the segments of postsecondary education in promoting
California’s public and private colleges and universities to promote
the California Dream Act application
in a manner that maximizes the amount of federal aid that students may access while apprising students of the choices available regarding which application they and their families may use.
effectively and inform students and their families of their available financial aid application options, as provided.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF