California Student Aid Commission Hosts Town Halls to Boost Awareness and Application Rates for CA Dream Act
SACRAMENTO, CA, January 28, 2025 — The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC), in collaboration with Institutional Solutions, California Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, and Immigrants Rising, are hosting two upcoming town hall events to amplify the “I Heart CA Dream Act” campaign. These events aim are designed to raise awareness about California financial aid opportunities for undocumented and other immigration-impacted students, with the ultimate goal of increasing financial aid application rates across California.
The campaign and town halls serve as a powerful call to action, addressing the growing uncertainty and challenges faced by these students and their families. By convening leaders and advocates, CSAC aims to educate communities, promote access to financial aid and dispel misinformation.
A central feature of these events will be highlighting the vital work of educators and advocates who champion the California Dream Act Application. The program will also include current and former students sharing their experiences and emphasizing the importance of visibility, access and affirmation in their educational journeys. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies to expand and promote opportunities and support these communities.
“The I Heart CA Dream Act campaign is a vital opportunity to stand with and support California’s undocumented and immigration-impacted students,” said Dr. Daisy Gonzales, Executive Director of CSAC. “By sharing accurate information and fostering a sense of community, we can empower a generation of students to pursue their educational dreams in California. Families need to know that we believe their students, and when they join institutions of higher education, they will not be alone.”
“We are deeply committed to ensuring that every student, regardless of their immigration status, has the opportunity to access the educational resources they deserve and are eligible for by law,” said Nancy Jodaitis, Founder & Principal Consultant at Institutional Solutions. “The ‘I Heart CA Dream Act’ campaign and town halls are vital so that undocumented students know they can still go to college and get financial aid in California-even in this current political climate. Together we can foster a more inclusive system that supports the academic aspirations of all Californians.”
“In today’s climate of escalating attacks and uncertainty for immigrant communities, fear and misinformation are keeping too many undocumented students from the financial aid that could change their lives,” says Dr. Illiana Perez, Executive Director of Immigrants Rising. “These town halls provide essential information and demonstrate our collective commitment to affirming immigrant students’ right to education and opportunity. We look forward to sharing our resources, including our Championing Equity: Systemwide AB 540 FAQ, and working with practitioners and allies across the state to build a strong ecosystem of financial aid support for all students in California, regardless of their immigration status.”
“As financial aid officers, we witness daily the complex challenges students face in navigating the financial aid landscape,” said Lorena Lara Rodriguez, Executive Director of the Financial Aid & Scholarship Office at University of California, Santa Cruz and former President of California Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (CASFAA). “These town halls are invaluable for demystifying the CA Dream Act process, building trust, and encouraging more eligible students to apply, knowing that support and resources are available to help them achieve their educational goals.”
Event Details:
- Town Hall 1: Thursday, January 29, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
- Town Hall 2: Tuesday, February 24, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
All interested individuals are warmly invited to register and stand in solidarity with California students by participating in these important discussions.
