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California Dream Act applicants dwindle
September, 2, 2025 deadline for application approaches fast
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Ritu Marwah - Wed, 25, Jun 2025
- 16:23 EDT
- 6
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Representative image. / Canva
Too many California high school graduates are failing to complete the application for financial help, resulting in missed opportunities, college decisions made with limited information, and unclaimed aid. As federal challenges with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) continue to create confusion and concern—particularly around unprecedented federal data sharing—California leaders are working together to promote the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) as a safe, inclusive, and reliable alternative.
American Community Media, in partnership with the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) reaffirmed California’s commitment to immigrant, refugee, and undocumented students. The panelists assured the students that their one act of applying for aid and gaining education could change the life of their families forever. California community colleges, they said, will NEVER share your information with the federal government.
The application and verification process for FAFSA, a gateway to accessing federal, state, and institutional financial aid, can involve providing sensitive personal information. This is deterring students, who fear repercussions due to their or their families immigration status, from applying for financial aid. While FAFSA completion decreased, the CADAA experienced an even harder fall (a 16% drop compared to FAFSA's 6% drop in 2024).
“Don’t give up the dream,” said Mr. Christopher Gonzales, Chief Strategy Officer in 10,000 Degrees.10,000 Degrees® is the leading, equity-focused scholarship provider and college success nonprofit in California.
Reach out to 10,000 Degrees
“We have seen thousands of students have opportunity doors open to them. We are seeing the cyclical impact it has on them and their families for the betterment of our communities. We have an amazing team of program staff called 10,000 Degrees fellows. They are recent college graduates of 10,000 Degrees who are more often than not first generation and they come back to work for us full-time.”
“Working in our schools during after school events we are not only helping the students fill out applications and check all the boxes, we are making sure that they understand all the opportunities on the table in their language, that is culturally relevant and delivered by staff or fellows who are new role models for them,” said Gonzales.
10,000 Degrees centers are in northern California as well as Utah. They have locations in Marin county, Sonoma County, Lake County, NAPA, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara County.
Fear in the community
“Secondary education is an act of resistance and persistence for this generation. It is a beacon of hope for all Californian- refugees, and mixed status families,” said Dr. Daisy Gonzales, Executive Director, California Student Aid Commission.
The Trump administration is slowly but surely chipping away at education.”The immigration raids have not happened on a great scale here in the Fresno area, but there’s still that fear that they are gonna be out here. Fresno city council member mentioned that a swap meet was going to be visited by ICE agents on Saturday a week ago. Though ICE did not show there were very few vendors, customers and students. Similarly the organizer of the annual Chicano/Latino Commencement Ceremony, which now regularly draws more than 1,000 graduates and 13,000 family members, were afraid to publicize this year's ceremony for fear that he would draw the wrath of Trump and his administration.”
Colleges and school districts in Fresno proceeded with their popular ethnic graduation ceremonies.
Protecting access to higher education for all California students, the panelists urged students to not leave money and opportunities on the table.
“There are different deadlines for different colleges like Stanford, USC. For community college the deadline is September 2nd.”
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