The term “DREAMer” describes young undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as children. These young adults have lived and gone to school here and, in many cases, identify as American and consider the United States their home.

The term “DREAMer” originated from The Federal Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act. The Federal Dream Act aims to create a pathway to citizenship for undocumented youth who grew up in the United States.

First introduced to Congress in 2001, the Federal Dream Act has not yet passed into law. Young undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as children do not have pathways to citizenship. Although pathways to citizenship are not available for undocumented youth, some states (like California) passed their versions of the DREAM Act.

The California Dream Act was passed in 2011. It enabled eligible undocumented students to receive state-funded financial aid and privately funded scholarships. The California Dream Act does not deal with immigration or pathways to citizenship. It is only to receive state financial aid.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) grants eligible undocumented youth a 2-year renewable temporary relief from deportation and a social security number for work authorization. DACA does not currently provide a long-term pathway to citizenship and is unrelated to the California Dream Act. Students do not have to be DACA eligible to apply for the California Dream Act and vice versa— each program has its unique eligibility criteria.

Undocumented students are not eligible to apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or receive any federally funded student financial aid, including Pell Grant, SEOG Grant, work-study, and student loans. Students who receive a social security number from Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) are not eligible to apply for FAFSA.