Financial Aid
FAFSA at a Glance 2022-2023
What is Federal Student Aid?
To get a better understanding about what Financial Aid is, How to qualify to receive Financial Aid, and what steps to take to Apply click on the document below.
Financial Aid Application Window
Here is the Financial Aid Application Workshop Presentation! Please click on the PDF link below to view the presentation slides!
October 1st - March 2nd!
All seniors should complete a Financial Aid application regardless of your plans after high school. There are two applications available depending on your citizenship status: FAFSA or CADAA. You complete the application that pertains to you! DO NOT complete both applications.
1. If you are a US Citizen or Permanent Resident, you will complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Before completing the FAFSA, you will need the following to create a FSA ID:
Your Social Security Number or Alien Registration Number (can be found on your Permanent Resident card)
Date of Birth
Legal name as it appears on your social security card
*Note: If your parent is a US Citizen or Permanent Resident, they will need to create an FSA ID as well. Do not create an FSA ID for a parent that is not a US citizen or Permanent Resident.
For a step by step guide on how to create your FSA ID click the following link: https://studentaid.gov/sites/default/files/creating-using-fsaid.pdf
To complete your FAFSA Application, you will need the following:
Your FSA ID
Your parents social security number (if they have one)
Your parents birth date
Month & year if your parents are: married/ divorced/ separated/ deceased
Your parents 2019 Taxes (if they filed) or estimated income for 2019 (if they did not file taxes)
2. If YOU are NOT a US Citizen or Permanent Resident, you should complete the California Dream Act Application ( CADAA).
To complete your CA Dream Act Application, you will need the following:
Your DACA card (if you have one; it is not required)
Your parent or parents' dates of birth
Month & year if your parents are/were: married/ divorced/ separated/ deceased
Your parents 2019 Taxes (if they filed) or estimated income for 2019 (if they did not file taxes)
The California Dream Act- Financial Aid for Undocumented Students
Cal Grant Income Ceilings 2022-2023
Cal Grants are based on your GPA from 10th-11th grades including summer school after each AND your parents' income! Check out the Cal Grant Income Ceilings for 2022-2023.
Cal Grant A requires a 3.0 minimum GPA
Cal Grant B requires a 2.0 minimum GPA
Cal Grant C has no minimum GPA requirement
For more information about Cal Grants visit the California Student Aid Commission website at https://www.csac.ca.gov/cal-grants
Financial Aid Tips!
Hi Seniors! Here are some Financial Aid Tips to help you through your FAFSA or CA Dream Act application! If you need assistance, please reach out to us in the College & Career Center or your Guidance Counselor.
Federal School Codes for Colleges/Universities
Hey Seniors! Use these Federal School Codes to easily add your UC, CSU, and/or RCC to your Financial Aid Application!
How to Create Your FSA ID for FAFSA
Paying for College
For helpful resources and videos click on the links below to learn more about how to afford college!
You are a CA Dream Act Student (AB540) if you meet all of the following criteria:
1. Attended a California high school for at least three years; or attained the equivalent of at least three years of credits from a California high school and attended at least three full years at California K-12 schools
2. Graduated from a California high school, got a CA GED or passed the California High School Proficiency Exam
3. Are registered or enrolled at a California college
4. Some colleges may require the student to, complete an affidavit saying you have filed (or will file when you are eligible to do so) for legal immigration status
Launch Your Financial Aid Application!
Paying for College: Understanding types of loans
Financial Aid Application Guide: Pathways to Higher Education
Pathways to Higher Education.mp4Frequently Asked Financial Aid Questions
Please note, these are responses received from UC Riverside Office of Financial Aid.
Question 1: If a student decides to NOT house on campus, this will decrease their COA estimates, thus what is the first source of aid that will be adjusted/reduced from their Financial Aid offer? Considering a student with an EFC= 0 who is being offered Pell Grant, Cal Grant, and UCR Grant as well as Work Study, and Loans (Subsidized and Unsubsidized).
Answer: In this particular scenario, the student's UCR grant and USHIP Fee grant would be reduced based on the new COA of living off campus or with parents.
Question 2: Should the student request a re-assessment of their Financial Aid NOW, before they SIR or after they SIR?
Answer: At the moment we recommend that students use our Net Price Calculator (https://vcsaweb.ucr.edu/FinAidManualCalculator/). Students can request a Change of Income appeal once they have SIR'd to UCR. We may use 2019 or 2020 (projected income) based on where the decrease occurred.
Question 3: Is Work Study ever adjusted or taken away?
Answer: Yes, it can be adjusted or taken away. If a student is selected for verification at a later point and the outcome is a higher EFC they will then become ineligible.