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In a statewide media briefing organized by American Community Media in partnership with the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC), state officials, student advocates, and education leaders reaffirmed California’s commitment to immigrant, refugee, and undocumented students facing new challenges in accessing higher education.
Amid ongoing confusion surrounding the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)—particularly concerns about federal data sharing—California officials are intensifying efforts to promote the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) as a safe and inclusive alternative for eligible students.
Dr. Daisy Gonzales, Executive Director of CSAC, opened the briefing with a pointed message: “We are living in unparalleled times. Our communities are under threat, and students are afraid. But we are here to say—loudly and clearly—that California stands with you.”
Gonzales underscored CSAC’s role in managing more than $3 billion in state financial aid and affirmed that CADAA allows undocumented and mixed-status students to apply for financial aid without federal data exposure. “This is California’s application,” she said. “And we will protect your data to the fullest extent of the law.”
The briefing featured voices from across the state, including student Celeste Mar from California State University, Long Beach, and Christopher Gonzales, Chief Strategy Officer of 10,000 Degrees, a Northern California college access nonprofit.
Mar shared her personal experience as a first-generation student from an immigrant family and the fear she and many others felt in applying for financial aid. “Students are scared that sharing personal information could put their families at risk,” she said. “But with the Dream Act application, we can offer a safer alternative.”
Now a graduate student and counselor-in-training at CSU Long Beach, Mar supports students navigating the same barriers she once faced. “I want them to feel safe, supported, and informed,” she said. “Access to education is not just about paperwork—it’s about trust.”
Christopher Gonzales echoed this sentiment, citing a growing need for culturally responsive support. “We meet students where they are,” he said. “That includes language, lived experience, and reassurance that their path to college is valid and protected.”
He described the Dream Act as having a “generational ripple effect,” not only helping individual students but lifting entire families. “When students apply and succeed, they inspire siblings, cousins, and communities,” Gonzales said.
While CADAA remains a critical tool, speakers acknowledged persistent fear in immigrant communities, amplified by reports of increased Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity. They warned that this climate could suppress applications and limit students’ access to aid, even when eligible.
“We’re in a moment were applying for college is an act of resistance,” Dr. Gonzales said. “Our job is to make sure students know that they’re not alone—and that California has their back.”
Officials reminded students that CADAA is available to those attending any public higher education institution in the state, including community colleges, and urged families to apply before the September 2 deadline.
As the state awaits final approval of the budget, Gonzales expressed optimism that financial aid remains a top priority. “Legislators understand the stakes,” she said. “The proposed budget reflects our ongoing commitment to serving vulnerable populations.”
The briefing closed with a shared call to action: combat misinformation, elevate student voices, and provide clear, accessible information to all families—especially those with undocumented members.
“Education should not come with fear,” Mar said. “It should come with opportunity. And that’s what we’re fighting for.”