Navigating financial aid for mixed-status families in California

February 6, 2025 /

For many students in mixed-status families, accessing financial aid can be complicated and daunting. While U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents are eligible to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), their parents or legal guardians may lack a Social Security number (SSN), creating additional barriers to financial assistance. However, recent changes in California have provided more options to protect families while ensuring students can still receive aid.

A mixed-status family typically includes a student who is a U.S. citizen or legal resident, while their parents or contributors do not have an SSN. In the past, these students could only file a FAFSA, which required their parents or legal guardians to provide information to the federal government. This created concerns about privacy and potential immigration consequences.

“Understandably so, many of our mixed-status families and students continue to raise concerns about applying for federal financial aid and how that could impact their families’ data and immigration status. Although we can not make these decisions for them, what we can and will continue to do is provide the best information possible for families to make informed decisions,” said the Southern San Joaquin Valley Consortium, Youth2Leaders Education Foundation, and CSUB TriO in a joint statement.

To address these concerns, the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) expanded the eligibility for the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) to include students from mixed-status families. Previously, CADAA was available solely for undocumented students, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, and students meeting AB 540 non-resident tuition exemption criteria. Now, mixed-status students whose parents prefer not to disclose their information to a federal agency can choose to complete the CADAA instead of the FAFSA.

CADAA allows undocumented students and students with mixed-status family members to receive free state and institutional-based financial aid such as state and university grants, community college fee waivers, Cal Grants, and intuitional scholarships. Additionally, the CADAA, with an AB540 Affidavit, allows students to pay in-state tuition at any public college or university in California.

Any information provided on the CADAA is sent to the state of California (i.e. California Student

Aid Commission – CSAC) and is only used to determine eligibility for state financial aid. CSAC does not share this data with the federal government or use it for immigration enforcement.

While this change increases privacy protections, it also comes with trade-offs. Students who file a FAFSA are eligible for both federal and state financial aid, including Pell Grants, federal student loans, and federal work-study programs. However, those who choose CADAA are limited to state and institutional financial aid, excluding them from federal funding sources.

Organizations like Youth 2 Leaders Education Foundation, TRIO at California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB), and Bakersfield College have collaborated to develop guidance materials to assist families in making informed decisions. These resources help families understand the differences between the FAFSA and CADAA and outline the pros and cons of each option.

As of right now, the financial aid application deadlines for 2025 are as follows:

  • March 3, 2025: Priority deadline for students attending a University of California (UC), California State University (CSU), or private university.
  • September 2, 2025: Deadline for students enrolling in a California community college.

There is also potential for the state to extend the deadline to April, as it has already done for students in Los Angeles and Ventura counties due to recent wildfires.

Financial aid experts encourage families to assess their options carefully, considering privacy concerns and financial needs. For those who need additional support, the local organization Youth2Leaders offers workshops and resources. Its goal is to ensure that all eligible students can access the financial aid necessary to pursue higher education.

Questions for Youth2Leaders can be sent to their email: cash4college@y2lef.org.

More information on CADAA can be found here. 

Victoria Rodgers

Victoria Rodgers is an editor and reporter for Kern Sol News. Born in Bakersfield, CA, she received her Bachelor of Arts in English from Rockford University in Illinois. She can be reached at victoria@southkernsol.org.