Applying to College
Instructional Integration Materials for Students in Partner Districts (2).pdfHow to use CaliforniaColleges.edu
This document provides videos and tutorials on how to utilize the website to search for colleges, majors, careers. You can also launch college and financial aid applications from the website.
Setting up Your CaliforniaColleges.edu Student Account.pptx.pdfFINANCIAL AID
What Is the FAFSA, and Why Is It Important?
FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. It’s how U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens get money for college, including:
Federal financial aid, like grants, work-study, or loans.
State financial aid, like the Cal Grant.
Some school-based financial aid, like scholarships or grants given out by colleges.
Fill out the FAFSA even if you’re not sure you’ll get financial aid.
When should you fill out the FAFSA?
You can fill out your FAFSA online starting October 1 of your senior year in high school.
Be sure to apply by the March 2 Cal Grant deadline so you can be considered for this big state grant.
Your college may have earlier deadlines for school-based awards. Check with the financial aid office.
CA DREAM ACT
When should you fill out the CADAA?
You can fill out the CADAA online starting October 1 of your senior year in high school.
Be sure to apply by the March 2 Cal Grant deadline so you can be considered for this big state grant.
Your college may have earlier deadlines for grants or scholarships they give out. Check with the financial aid office.
Is it safe to apply?
Don’t be afraid to fill out the CADAA. Your information will only be used to figure out if you can get state financial aid. It won’t be shared with the federal government or used for immigration enforcement.
What Is the California Dream Act, and How Do You Apply?
If you’re undocumented, you can get money to pay for college. The California Dream Act Application (CADAA) is how you apply.
Undocumented students in California can:
Pay less for tuition at California public schools, just like U.S. citizens who live in the state. These schools include:
California Community Colleges (CCC).
California State University (CSU).
University of California (UC).
Get state financial aid, including:
California College Promise Grant (for CCC).
California DREAM Loans (for CSU or UC).
Scholarships or grants from college campuses.
Fill out the CADAA even if you’re not sure you’ll get financial aid. If you don’t, you could miss out on a lot of money to help you pay for college.
Note: The CA Dream Act is separate from the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Your parents’ citizenship status doesn’t matter for getting state financial aid.
CALIFORNIA COLLEGE PROMISE GRANT
What Is the California College Promise Grant?
The California College Promise Grant is for students who go to a California Community College (CCC). If you get it, you don’t have to pay to take classes. Sometimes, it’s called a “fee waiver.” More than a million CCC students get free tuition every year thanks to this grant.
You can get the California College Promise Grant if:
You live in California.
You’re a U.S. citizen, eligible non-citizen, or AB 540/AB 2000/SB 68 student.
You have financial need.
Do you have financial need?
Financial need means your college costs more than you can pay. You can show financial need in a few ways.
Your family gets money from a public program.
Your income is low for your family’s size. See this chart (pdf).
You need at least $1,104 based on your financial aid application.
You don’t have to show financial need in some special cases. You can also get free tuition if your parent:
Was disabled or killed while serving in the military.
Was a law enforcement officer disabled or killed in the line of duty.
Won the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Was a victim of the 9/11 attacks.
CAL GRANT
What Is a Cal Grant?
A Cal Grant is free money to help you pay for college. It’s the state’s biggest financial aid program. More than 500,000 students get a Cal Grant each year.
You can use a Cal Grant at participating colleges in California, including:
All public colleges.
California Community Colleges (CCC).
California State University (CSU).
University of California.
Most private, four-year colleges.
Some trade schools.
Apply by March 2
Applying for a Cal Grant is simple.
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) by March 2.
List at least one participating college (pdf) on your application.
Make sure your Cal Grant GPA is submitted by March 2. (Your high school will probably do this for you. See the Cal Grant GPA tab.
What are the different types of Cal Grants?
There are three different types of Cal Grants—A, B, and C. You don’t actually have to know which one you qualify for when you apply. Just fill out your FAFSA or CADAA by March 2. You’ll be considered for the Cal Grant that fits your GPA, financial need, and the college you’re planning to attend.
Cal Grant A
Guaranteed if you:
Are a current high school senior or you graduated last year.
Meet the requirements.
Apply by March 2.
For low to middle income students.
Requires at least a 3.0 GPA.
Helps cover tuition and fees at CSU, UC, and private colleges.
Can’t be used at a CCC unless you’re enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program.
Awards up to:
$5,742 for CSU.
$12,570 for UC.
$9,084 for private colleges.
Will be held for two years if you decide to attend a CCC and then transfer to a four-year college.
Cal Grant B
Guaranteed if you:
Are a current high school senior or you graduated last year.
Meet the requirements.
Apply by March 2.
For low income students.
Requires at least a 2.0 GPA. (See the Cal Grant GPA tab for details.)
Can be used at CCC, CSU, UC, and private colleges.
Available for up to four years. Learn how this works if you transfer from a CCC to a four-year college.
Your First Year
Awards a $1,672 living allowance for books and other costs.
If you go to a CSU or UC and qualify for Cal Grant B, the college will cover your tuition and fees your first year.
If you go to a CCC, your enrollment fees could be waived through the California College Promise Grant.
If you go to a private college, talk to your financial aid office about options for covering tuition and fees.
After Your First Year
Awards the $1,672 living allowance plus the Cal Grant A amount to help cover tuition and fees. So, you can get a total of up to:
$7,414 for CSU.
$14.242 for UC.
$10,756 for private colleges.
Talk to the financial aid office about award amounts for CCC bachelor’s degree programs.
Cal Grant C
For low to middle income students.
No GPA requirement.
Can be used for occupational, technical, or vocational programs at CCCs or private trade schools.
Programs must be in an approved occupation (pdf).
Programs in priority occupations (pdf) improve your chances of getting an award.
Awards up to:
$1,094 for books, tools, and equipment at CCCs. Your enrollment fees could be waived through the California College Promise Grant.
$547 for books and supplies, plus $2,462 for tuition and fees at private trade schools.
Available for up to two years depending on the length of your program.
CHAFEE GRANT FOR FOSTER YOUTH
What Is the Chafee Grant for Foster Youth?
The Chafee Grant is financial aid for California foster youth. You can use it to help pay for tuition and fees. It can also help you cover living costs, like rent, transportation, and child care. A Chafee Grant is free money. You don’t have to pay it back.
How much can you get?
You can get up to $5,000 per year if:
You’re between age 16 and 18, and you’re in foster care now.
You were ever in foster care between age 16 and 18—even if it was just for one day!
You go to a qualifying college.
All public colleges and most private colleges in California qualify. Some out-of-state colleges do, too.
Who can get the Chafee Grant?
You can get the Chafee Grant if:
You’re between age 16 and 18, and you’re in foster care now.
You were ever in foster care between age 16 and 18—even if it was just for one day!
You’re younger than 26 as of July 1 the year you get your grant money.
You have financial need based on your FAFSA or CADAA information.
You enroll at least half time at a qualifying college.
All public colleges in California.
California Community Colleges (CCC).
California State University (CSU).
University of California (UC).
Most private colleges in California.
Some out-of-state colleges that meet specific requirements.