California Dream Act Service Incentive Grant (DSIG)

The California Dream Act Service Incentive Grant Program (DSIG) encourages California Dream Act Application (CADAA) students with a Cal Grant B award to perform community or volunteer service.  For the 2023-2024 academic year, the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) can award up to $4,500 per academic year (up to $2,250 per semester). The grant will be available to the student for up to 8 semesters while they have an active Cal Grant B or A award (meets eligibility for both).  

Students will need to apply annually to participate in the DSIG.  Students will first submit the DSIG Grant Application to be admitted to the program then submit the Payment Request form(s) upon completion of the volunteer hours. 

WHAT ARE THE GRANT REQUIREMENTS?

  • Must have a completed and submitted California Dream Act Application (CADAA) Opens in new window for the academic year a DSIG application is filed.

  • Must be an Undergraduate or Teaching Credential student receiving a Cal Grant B or A award; Cal Grant A recipients must meet Cal Grant B eligibility.

  • Enrolled  in at least half-time of 6 units.

  • Must have sufficient financial need: at least $4,500 of unmet financial need to be eligible to receive up to $2,250 per semester.

  • Complete community or volunteer service hours in that academic year.  A minimum of 150 hours must be completed before first payment can be requested – a total of 300 hours for two payments per academic year.

  • Must meet SAP: Satisfactory Academic Progress.  Opens in new window

QUALIFYING COMMUNITY OR VOLUNTEER SERVICE ORGANIZATION

  • A nonprofit as defined in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. 

  • Any federal, state, or local government entity. 

  • Any school or organization on the List of Service Organizations Opens in new window

  • Qualifying Service Organizations not on the List of Service Organizations may register with CSAC Opens in new window

  • Shall be established for a minimum of two years before the first date on which a participating student begins performing service hours.

  • Service performed must be related to your field of study or serves to further community service or a community need.

DSIG Application Process

  1. Complete the DSIG Application found on the California Dream Act Service Incentive Grant Program websiteOpens in new window . Sections of the application:

    • Section 1 – Student Demographic information

    • Section 2 – School of Attendance Information; section must be signed by Financial Aid Office

      • Submit the form to our office in-person (Gordon Hall - 146), by mail, or through our secure Document Submission PlatformOpens in new window and select Other from the forms drop-down menu. Form will be signed and returned to student within 1-2 weeks; form can be picked up from the office or emailed back

    • Section 3 – Service Organization Information; student must have the certifying officials who will be verifying completion of service hours sign this section

    • Section 4 – Student Agreement

  2. Once all sections have been completed – both Financial Aid office and Service Organization(s) have signed their corresponding section – the student then submits the completed form to the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC). Email is preferred.

    • Email: studentsupport@csac.ca.gov

    • Or Mail:

      • California Student Aid Commission

        Attn: CA Dream Act Serv Incentive Grant

        P.O. Box 419027

        Rancho Cordova, CA 95741-9026

  3. Student receives email from CSAC when they are registered into the program.

  4. Student begins performing service hours. Student and/or service organizations should utilize the Service Hours TrackerOpens in new window to document service hours performed.     

DSIG Payment Process

  1. Students can request first payment after performing at least 150 hours of community or volunteer service. Service hours must be completed within the school year, defined as July 1st through June 30th. Student must submit the Payment Request form Opens in new window along with documentation of service hours performed.

    • The Financial Aid office verifies student’s eligibility a second time, section 2 of Payment Request form, and the service organization confirms completion of the 150 hours (Section 3).

  2. Submit completed Payment Request form to CSAC. Email is preferred.

    • Email: studentsupport@csac.ca.gov

    • Or Mail:

      • California Student Aid Commission

        Attn: CA Dream Act Serv Incentive Grant

        P.O. Box 419027

        Rancho Cordova, CA 95741-9026

  3. Student receives email from CSAC when they are approved for payment. Payments will be processed by our Financial Aid office and it can take 4-5 weeks, this includes the time it takes for CSAC to send the funds to our office.

  4. Once Financial Aid office is ready to pay funds, it will post the DSIG on the student’s Financial Aid package and send an email to student about the revision to their Financial Aid. If student is signed up for Direct Deposit, the funds will be deposited within a week of grant being awarded.

    • A new Payment Request Form must be completed to request a second DSIG payment.

    • For the 2023-2024 academic year, the deadline to request a payment is September 2024.

For more information:
Please visit the   California Dream Act Service Incentive Grant Program website   Opens in new window for program overview, additional details, and Frequently Asked Questions.

California Student Aid Commission Student Support:
Call: (888) 224-7268
Email: studentsupport@csac.ca.gov