What are Scholarships?

Scholarships are Free Money that DOES NOT NEED TO BE PAID BACK!!


  • They are awarded by private and public organizations and companies.

  • There are many available for every type of student

  • They are ongoing and continuous with various deadlines year-round

  • Awarded based on

    • Need (based on household income)

    • Merit (based on academic performance

    • Requirements outlined by the awarding organization

Financial Aid Information

Even if you think your family may not qualify for Financial Assistance, it is recommended that every senior fill out the free FAFSA OR CA Dream Act application.

WHY?

Many college scholarship programs, Promise Programs and college awards require a financial aid application on file.

The FAFSA/CA DREAM Act application window is October 1st -March 2, 2021.

APPLICATION STEPS

FSA ID/FAFSA APPLICATION FSA I.D. :is needed by both student and one parent to submit the FAFSA electronically. Create your FSA I.D. in advance. Here is a video to help. You’ll need your Social Security number, full name, and date of birth. You’ll also need to create a memorable username and password, and provide answers to some challenge questions so you can retrieve your account information if you forget it.
FAFSA Application: For the FAFSA application you will need your/parents federal income tax returns (2019), W-2s (2019), and other records of money earned (2019). (Note: You may be able to transfer your federal tax return information into your FAFSA using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.) Bank statements and records of investments (if applicable). Records of untaxed income (if applicable). Independent students will require their own documentsRESOURCES: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/resources
CA DREAM ACT APPLICATION The California Dream Act Application allows students interested in attending eligible California Colleges, Universities and Career Education Programs to apply for state financial aid. This application is unrelated to the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. An FSA I.D. is not required for the Dream Act Application RESOURCES: https://www.csac.ca.gov/california-dream-act
CSS ProfileThis is an additional financial aid application used by some Private and out-of-state schools. This application requires more detailed information than the FAFSA/Dream Act and is used by schools of higher cost to determine more demonstrated need. This application is required in addition to the FAFSA for schools using them. RESOURCES: https://cssprofile.collegeboard.org/

Types of Funding:

Grants: Free MoneyScholarships: Free MoneyWork Study: Free Money Loans: ***MUST BE PAID BACK*** Avoid if at all possible!

Local and Community Scholarships

*Note* a scholarship application should never ask you for personal information such as Social Security Number, credit/debit card information or fees. Please be advised that this is an indicator that the scholarship is a scam.

Scholarships

University and College Scholarships

Scholarship Table

Scholarship Search Engines

Click on the image to visit their scholarship page