Embedded Files
Fall 26-27 HS Nights.pdf2025 Cheat Sheet Types of Financial Aid FINAL.pdfFree Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
To apply for federal student aid, such as federal grants, work-study, and loans, you need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Completing and submitting the FAFSA is free. Many states and colleges use your FAFSA information to determine your eligibility for state and school aid. Get started now by visiting https://studentaid.gov/
Even if a family’s income is too high for need-based aid, the student may qualify for scholarships, work-study, or low interest student loans. Don't assume you won't qualify for financial aid. The FAFSA formula considers not just income and savings when calculating a family's Expected Family Contribution (EFC), but also other factors such as the age of the parents and the number of children enrolled in college. Eligibility Info Graphic
FAFSA Process
FAFSA Process
Each October, the FAFSA is available for the next school year. It's important for seniors and their parents/guardians to fill it out as soon as possible to meet school and state financial aid deadlines. The deadline for the state of California is March 2 each year. Other colleges and universities may have earlier or priority deadlines; it is important to check filing dates for specific colleges.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Application
FAFSA Overview - Video link
FAFSA: Determining Your Dependency Status - Video link
How to Fill Out the FAFSA - Video link
How to create an account username and password (FSA ID) - Video link
After the FAFSA: What Happens Next - Video link
The California Dream Act Application
The California Dream Act Application
The California Dream Act allows undocumented and nonresident students (U.S. Citizens and eligible non-citizens) who qualify for a non-resident exemption under Assembly Bill 540 (AB 540) to receive certain types of financial aid such as: 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.
Get started now by visiting https://dream.csac.ca.gov/
Cal Grants
Cal Grants
The State of California provides aid for students through its Cal Grant program.
To qualify, you must complete the FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application 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 CADAA responses, your verified Cal Grant GPA, the type of California colleges you list on your FAFSA and whether you’re a recent high school graduate.
Please note that LVJUSD submits the Cal Grant GPAs for all seniors to the California Student Aid Commission. Students do not need to submit a GPA verification form. Your Cal Grant GPA is not your cumulative GPA that you see on your transcript. Click here to learn more about how a Cal Grant GPA is calculated.
Are you wondering if your Cal Grant GPA has been received by the Commission? After you have filed a FAFSA or CADAA, you can go on-line and check the status of your Cal Grant application by logging on to WebGrants for Students and creating an account.
For more information about Cal Grants, please visit https://www.csac.ca.gov/cal-grants
Links & Resources
Links & Resources
Federal Student Aid - an office of the U.S. Department of Education. Read about the types of financial aid available from the government and other sources: grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study.
College Board EFC (Estimated Family Contribution) Calculator - Get a general estimate of how much a student’s family will be expected to contribute for the year. This information helps families plan ahead for college.
US Dept. of Education Net Price Calculator Center - If you have a specific college in mind, you can get a more accurate estimate of your real cost by using the net price calculator provided on each college's website. A particular college’s net price calculator uses the financial aid policies of that college to calculate its estimate. Find the net price calculator for your prospective college at this site provided by the US Department of Education.
Tool to Compare Your Financial Aid Offers
College Scholarship Search (CSS)/Financial Aid Profile - The CSS PROFILE is required by many private colleges and universities - in addition to the FAFSA - to determine your eligibility for non-government financial aid, such as the institution's own grants, loans and scholarships.
Info about the CSS Profile - Article and video from Get Schooled explaining how and why to use the CSS profile.
CSS List - List of California colleges/universities/and scholarship programs that participate in the CSS profile.
Page updated
Report abuse