Financial Aid
FAFSA Deadline: March 2, 2022
Dream Act Deadline: March 2, 2022
Cal Grant Deadline: March 2, 2022
CSS Profile Deadline: Varies
What is the FAFSA?
The FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. It is used by most colleges to determine financial aid assistance.
Why apply for the FAFSA?
The US Department of Education and many states use the FAFSA to determine your eligibility for federal, state aid or school aid. (Grants, Loans and Work-Study). Your FAFSA determines if you are eligible for student aid.
If a student completes the FAFSA, are they require to take out loans?
No. Completing the FAFSA does not obligate students or parents to accept student loans or any other form of financial aid.
Who is eligible to apply for the FAFSA?
You (not your parent) must be a US citizen or permanent resident
You (not your parent) must have a Social Security number
When should I apply for the 2022-23 FAFSA?
Beginning October 1, 2021. Many schools award money first come, first served, so it's best to submit early.
What questions will I have to answer on the FAFSA?
You'll need your parents (and your) tax information for 2020.
The FAFSA questions are all on the FAFSA on the Web worksheet (a helpful tool that explains each section! Very user friendly!) The worksheet can be completed before sitting down to file the FAFSA.
The FAFSA questions are all on the FAFSA on the Web worksheet (a helpful tool that explains each section! Very user friendly!) The worksheet can be completed before sitting down to file the FAFSA.
By completing the FAFSA on the Web worksheet, students and parents can have all of the answers ready.
What if you are undocumented?
You will fill out the California Dream Act Application (CADAA). It also opens Oct 1, 2021
What is the California Dream Act?
The California Dream Act allows undocumented students, DACA recipients (valid or expired), U Visa holders and students under Temporary Protected Status (TPS), who qualify for a non-resident exemption, to receive certain types of financial aid.
Types of aid include: private scholarships funded through public universities, state administered financial aid, university grants, community college fee waivers, and Cal Grants.
In addition, the California Dream Act, allows eligible students to pay in-state tuition at any public college in California.
Who can apply for the California Dream Act?
Students who live in California and meet the eligibility requirements for a non-resident exemption, as well as students who have a U Visa or TPS status
What is the difference between the FAFSA and the California Dream Act application?
Students should only complete one of the applications (not both), according to the citizenship requirements below:
1. You are eligible to complete the FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov if you are a:
• U.S Citizen
• Permanent Resident
• Eligible non-citizen
• T Visa holder
2. You are eligible to complete the CADAA at https://dream.csac.ca.gov if you are:
• Undocumented
• Have a valid or expired DACA
• U Visa holders
• Have Temporary Protected Status (TPS) 2 | Pa g e Revised 11/21
• Meet the non-resident exemption requirements under AB 540, SB 2000, SB 68
Cal Grant
A Cal Grant is money for college you don’t have to pay back.
To qualify, you must apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or CA Dream Act Application (CADAA) by the deadline and meet the eligibility and financial requirements as well as any minimum GPA requirements.
Cal Grants can be used at any University of California, California State University or California Community College, as well as qualifying independent and career colleges or technical schools in California
There are three kinds of Cal Grants — A, B and C — but you don’t have to figure out which one to apply for. Your eligibility will be based on your FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application responses
Cal Grant A
Will help pay for tuition and fees at four-year colleges.
Cal Grant B
Provides a living allowance of up to $1,648, in addition to tuition and fee assistance after the first year, at a two- or four-year college.
Cal Grant C
Assists with the costs of a technical or career education.
CSS Profile
What is the CSS Profile
The CSS Profile is an online application used by colleges and scholarship programs to award Institutional (their own) aid.
When do I complete the CSS Profile?
Most students complete the application in their senior year of high school.
Who must complete the CSS Profile?
Check your colleges’ information to determine whether they require the CSS Profile.
How do I complete the CSS Profile?
You submit the CSS Profile at cssprofile.org