Dream Service Incentive Grant (DSIG)

CSULB CA Dream Act recipients who have a Cal Grant A award that meets Cal Grant B eligibility, or a Cal Grant B award can apply to be part of the Dream Service Incentive Grant Program (DSIG). DSIG provides an additional grant to perform community or volunteer service at any office on campus or at an approved non-profit that directly aligns with your career aspirations.

Grant Award Amount: $2,250/ per semester
Volunteer Hours Required: 150 hours/semester
Requirements: Must be a Cal Grant B recipient

On Campus Internship Opportunities Off Campus Internship Opportunities

 

  1. Review our on-campus internship opportunities.
  2. Schedule an appointment with a Dream Success Center staff member if you are not sure where you would like to intern.
  3. Reach out to the volunteer site supervisor via email to let them know you are interested in volunteering with them. Please note that some volunteer sites may interview you to determine if you are a good fit for their project. Here is a drafted email template you can use to email the staff/faculty site supervisor. 
  4. Once your volunteer opportunity has been confirmed, submit your DSIG Grant Application via DocuSign to obtain Financial Aid’s confirmation of your eligibility.
  5. Download completed form and have the staff or faculty who you will be volunteering with sign it.
  6. Complete the Student Agreement (section 4) of the form.
  7. Email the completed form to dsig@csac.ca.gov

  1. Review DISG’s off-campus internship opportunities
  2. Schedule an appointment with a Dream Success Center staff member if your preferred site is not listed or if you are not sure where to volunteer.
  3. Reach out to the site you are interested in to learn more about their volunteer opportunities. Please note that some volunteer sites may interview you to determine if you are a good fit for their project.
  4. Submit your DSIG Grant Application via DocuSign to obtain Financial Aid’s confirmation of your eligibility.
  5. Download completed form and have the non-profit site staff member who you will be volunteering with sign it.
  6. Complete the Student Agreement (section 4) of the form.
  7. Email the completed form to dsig@csac.ca.gov.

DSIG FAQ For Students

If you have been awarded Cal Grant B, you are eligible for this program. If you are not sure of your eligibility, schedule an appointment with a Dream Success Center staff member.

Contact the Dream Success Center and we will be more than happy to help you identify an internship site on or off campus.

If it is an on-campus site, the DSC team can help you get started. If it is an off-campus nonprofit that is not listed on the DSIG website, you must submit the Service Organization Registration form.  Please note that you cannot volunteer for an organization that engages exclusively in political, social, or religious advocacy.

You can do that! Please make sure you submit the paperwork for both sites to get approved. 

It depends on how busy the CSAC DSIG team is. It may take a few days to weeks. You can begin your internship while you wait but just keep in mind that you may not be approved. It is okay to wait to begin your internship until you are approved.

You can always switch internship sites. We just ask that you communicate with your site lead and let them know you would like to end your internships. You can always reach out to the DSC team for support.

It is up for you and your internship led to decide on your weekly hours. Most students complete 10-20 a week. We just ask that you do not complete more than 20 hours a week to ensure you prioritize your studies.

For Fall semester: Your 150 hours can be completed in spring semester.

For Spring Semester: Your 150 hours must be completed by June 30th.

Make sure you keep note of your hours by using the Services Hours Tracker. Once 150 hours have been completed, submit your Payment Request form via DocuSign to obtain Financial Aid’s confirmation of your eligibility for payment. Once completed by financial aid, download the form and have your services organization complete section 3. Sign the form and email it to dsig@csac.ca.gov.

Once you submit your payment request form to CSAC, the DSIG team will let you know if you are approved for payment. If approved, you and the financial aid administrator on your Payment Request will receive an email notification once your check is mailed to your school’s Financial Aid Office. This process usually takes 4-6 weeks. We highly encourage you to submit your payment request as soon as you complete your 150 hours.

 

For more information visit CSAC’s DSIG FAQ for Students

DSIG FAQ For Faculty and Staff Hosting DSIG Students 

Please submit our CSULB Service/Volunteer Experiences form to list your site. The DSC team will share your opportunity with students.

No, this program is covered by the California Student Aid Commission. We do ask that if funding is available, that you provide all the supplies and tools needed for the student to complete the volunteer experience.

Yes, you must submit a volunteer form via DocuSign to HR so that they are approved.

Yes, once you submit your volunteer form to HR, they will reach out to you to let you know that their paperwork has been processed. You must then submit an IT ticket to get them an SA email.

No, this is an experiential learning opportunity where the student is a volunteer. The goal of this program is to provide students the opportunity to volunteer and gather career experience while supporting departmental projects.

Yes, they can.

Yes, they can, and their participation in career opportunities like these are highly encouraged. If your department does not have the funding to support their attendance, there are various CSULB funding sources that may be able to support. Feel free to reach out to the Dream Success Center team if you need support.

You can always refer students to the Dream Success Center, and we can help students verify if they qualify. Please note that the DSIG program is only for CA Dream Act eligible students.