The Santa Barbara Foundation and the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara have taken a bold step in no longer requiring proof of citizenship for student financial aid applicants.

The move brings the foundations closer in line with administrative actions by the Obama Administration and the passage of California’s own Dream Act. Under the new guidelines, applicants for scholarships will be judged based on academic merit, regardless of immigration status.

Santa Barbara Foundation CEO Ron Gallo said the move allows the organization to invest in “all of the best and brightest” students in the region. The change comes as Congress inches along toward passing a federal Dream Act that would provide a path to citizenship for children who were brought to the U.S. as minors by parents who are illegal immigrants.