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Financial Aid

Types of Financial Aid

Gift Aid

 

Self-Help Aid

 

Gift Aid

 

Self-Help Aid

 

 

NEW Requirement for All students

FAFSA/CADAA Graduation Requirement
 

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) determines a student’s eligibility for financial aid to assist with a student’s attendance at a college or career school. California Education Code (CEC) § 51225.7 requires a local educational agency to confirm each 12th-grade student’s completion and submission of a FAFSA or CADAA unless the student is determined to be exempt or an opt-out form is completed.

 
For guidance on whether you should complete the FAFSA or CADAA learn more here.
 

Why apply?

    • Apply for government grants, loans, and work study all in one application

    • Access to free money for college

    • You don’t know your eligibility until you apply

    • It can only benefit you!

    • As ‘insurance’ in case your family’s income falls.

    • Can benefit high-income applicants to need-aware colleges.

 

This opt-out form permits a student to opt out of the completion of a FAFSA or CADAA form graduation requirement. Completing this graduation requirement opt-out form does not prevent you from applying for the FAFSA or CADAA.

 

Free Application for Federal Student Aid 

(FAFSA)

Application opens Oct. 1

Due Mar. 2nd for CA

 

FAFSA is federal aid determined by collecting student and parent(s) income, assets and household information. Calculates the Expected Family Contribution (EFC), a measure of the family’s ability to pay for college. It’s FREE to fill out. It takes about 45 minutes to fill out.  

 

Who can apply:

  • U.S. Citizen

  • Permanent Resident

  • Certain Eligible Non-Citizens

  • T Visa Holder

 

What you will need to fill out an application:

  • FSA ID (For FAFSA ONLY-student & one parent, if have SSN)

  • Driver's License, if you have one

  • Social Security Number, if you have one

  • Alien Registration Card, if you have one

  • ITIN, if you have one

  • List of College, you are applying to or considering

  • Most current bank statements

  • Any records of untaxed income

  • Prior-prior year tax information (1040s and W2s)

 

FSA ID

The FSA ID is a digital signature used to sign the FAFSA. SSN and Date of Birth needed.

▪Student creates their own

▪Parent creates their own

▪FSA ID Help: (800) 433-3243

 

Alternative to FSA ID for Parents

  • If a student is a FAFSA filer but the parent does not have or is unable to create an FSA ID, they can print a signature page by selecting Print Signature Page on the “My FAFSA” or “Signature Status” page.

  • Use regular mail (tracking or special handling may result in the signature page not being processed), the completed signature page must be mailed to the address listed on the printed page.

  • Signature pages are rejected if they don’t contain applicant or parent signatures, or if the signatures on the page don’t meet specific rules and guidelines.

 

Assistance

  • Find Answers to Common Questions About the FAFSA® Process:

https://studentaid.gov/apply apply-for -aid/fafsa/filling filling-out/help

▪ Online assistance and contact information for Federal Student Aid

Information Center (FSAIC):

− 1-800-433-3243

− https://studentaid.gov/help help-center/contact

 

 CA DREAM Act or CADAA

Application opens Oct. 1

 

Who can apply:

  • Undocumented

  • Have a valid or expired DACA

  • U Visa holders

  • Have Temporary Protected Status (TPS)

  • Meet the non-resident exemption requirements under AB 540, SB 2000, SB 68

 

Dream Act FAQs


 
 

CSS Profile

Application opens Oct. 1

 

Some private colleges and non-CA public college systems, as well as some scholarship competitions, ask for additional information such as home equity, income and assets from non non-custodial parents, retirement plans, etc. CSS is not used for awarding federal or state financial aid, only aid from the colleges/universities directly.

 

▪ Cost -$25 for registration & one college, $16 for additional colleges

▪ Online Registration only cssprofile.collegeboard.org


 
 

Scholarships

Types of scholarships available:

  • Merit Aid

  • Need-based Aid

  • Identity-based Scholarships

  • Government Scholarships

  • Athletic Scholarships

  • Activity-based Scholarships

  • Military Scholarships (occasionally extended to family members)

  • Employer-sponsored tuition assistance

 

Where to Find Scholarships: