Question 1

What is the California Dream Act Application (CADAA)?

Accepted Answer

The California Dream Act Application (CADAA) is the financial aid application for undocumented students in California who meet AB 540 criteria. It is filed at dream.csac.ca.gov and opens each October 1. Eligible students can receive Cal Grant, the California College Promise Grant, and institutional aid at California public colleges and universities. CADAA is separate from FAFSA, which is for U.S. citizens and eligible noncitizens. The priority deadline for both FAFSA and CADAA is March 2.

Question 2

Can alternative education students get financial aid in California?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Students from continuation schools, community day schools, and independent study programs qualify for the same financial aid as any other California student. Graduating from a continuation school, passing the California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE), or earning a California GED all meet the requirements for Cal Grant eligibility. Students must file FAFSA or CADAA by the March 2 priority deadline. The type of alternative education program attended does not affect eligibility.

Question 3

What is the College/Career Indicator (CCI) in California?

Accepted Answer

The College/Career Indicator (CCI) is the metric California uses to measure whether high school graduates are prepared for college or a career. It appears on every school's California Dashboard and is tied to LCAP accountability. Students earn Prepared status through A-G completion with a qualifying exam score, dual enrollment at a California Community College, AP or IB credit, CTE pathway completion with an industry certification, or AB 288 dual enrollment CTE courses. Alternative education students can earn Career Prepared status through CTE and dual enrollment pathways.

Question 4

What are A-G requirements in California?

Accepted Answer

A-G requirements are the 15 college-preparatory courses California students must complete to be eligible for admission to the University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) systems. The seven subject areas are: History/Social Science (A), English (B), Mathematics (C), Laboratory Science (D), Language Other Than English (E), Visual and Performing Arts (F), and College-Preparatory Elective (G). Each course must be completed with a C or better. Students can track their A-G progress in real time on CaliforniaColleges.edu through their CCGI account.

Question 5

What is CaliforniaColleges.edu and how does my student use it?

Accepted Answer

CaliforniaColleges.edu is the official college and career planning platform for California students in grades 6 through 12, operated by CCGI. Every California public school student has a free account. The platform tracks A-G course completion in real time, connects to the Cal Grant GPA verification process, links career interest assessments to California labor market data, and feeds into the College/Career Indicator (CCI). Districts are required to connect students to their accounts.

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