Statement from Manny Rodriguez, Director of California Policy and Advocacy at The Institute for College Access and Success (TICAS):
“We commend today’s announcement by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) that allows students from mixed-status families to access state and institutional financial aid by filling out the California Dream Act Application (CADAA). This approach provides a vital pathway for first-time applicants in mixed-status families—where a student is a U.S. citizen, but one or more parents lack a Social Security Number—to obtain state and institutional financial aid and supports college enrollment and success in the 2024-25 academic year. Those students will still need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to access federal financial aid.
“We support CSAC’s efforts to ensure students can apply for financial aid before the state’s May 2 deadline and have the best possible information on which to base their college enrollment decisions. Policymakers and advocates will need to continue to work together in the months ahead to ensure students have the support they need to complete the FAFSA. That work will safeguard their ability to secure critical federal financial aid dollars, including Pell Grants. TICAS remains committed to ensuring that California’s students can make their college dreams a reality.”
