There are several steps to complete your Financial Aid Application:

1. Make sure your name matches  on  your Transcript, Social Security Card, Birth Certificate, College Applications and Financial Aid Applications

2. Collect Information needed (Social Security Card,  2023 Taxes, FSA ID for FAFSA only)

3. Open your California Colleges account

4. Fill out either the 2025-26 FAFSA or the 2025-26 CADAA

5. Receive email from FAFSA or CADAA saying "Your application was processed successfully"

6. Set up a My Grant info account to tell any grants you receive which school you want your money to go to.

7. After Graduation,  Log back into My Grant Info to change your status to graduated so your money will go to the school you chose.