FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid
RUSD Seniors!
It's FAFSA/CADAA time! All seniors must complete a FAFSA or CADAA no later than April 2, 2024. (Please note this message from the UC financial aid community for students applying to a UC school): Even though the state deadline has been extended to April 2, 2024, in order for students to get their financial aid packages shortly after an offer of admission, UC encourages students to file their FAFSA by March 2, 2024, whenever possible. UC will still consider California students for all eligible financial aid based on the extended deadline.
IMPORTANT NOTE - FAFSA TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES
The FAFSA/CADAA has undergone significant changes which were made to make it shorter and easier to complete. However, due to the changes, there have been significant technical difficulties. Although the FAFSA is open now, you may experience less technical difficulties if you wait until after February 1 to start the FAFSA. The CADAA is ready now and is experiencing much less technical difficulties.
What is a FAFSA/CADAA?
FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid and CADAA stands for California Dream Act Application (CADAA). Both serve as the applications for California State aid (Cal Grant, Middle Income Scholarship). The completion of a FAFSA or CADAA is also required in order to receive institutional awards and scholarships like academic, athletic, or departmental monies at your college. You can click the link below to find out which form you should complete.
What is Student Aid?
Student Aid comes in different forms, offered at the Federal level, state level and institutional level. Grants = FREE money, Scholarships = FREE money, Loans = money that has to be paid back, Work Study = money earned through campus work.
Why complete a FAFSA/CADAA?
Access! If you do not complete a FAFSA or CADAA you will not know what you may qualify for. If you do not know what you qualify for, your access to college and programs may be limited based on how much cash you are able to pay for college or trade/technical school. You may be surprised at the student aid that is available for all income levels.
Almost all scholarships awarded, both academic and need based, require completion of the FAFSA before they are awarded.
In the state of California, the completion of a FAFSA or CADAA is a graduation requirement.
Next step: Use the links below to answer any questions you may have, determine which application is right for you and know what documents and information you should have ready before you start. Be sure to avoid errors by double checking the spelling of your name (always use the legal name on your birth certificate, never use a nickname), accuracy in social security numbers, address etc. Best practice is to sit down with a parent, as you will both need to create an FSA ID before completing the FAFSA/CADAA. Parents should not create the student’s FSA ID and students should not create the parent’s FSA ID.
***NEVER use a school-issued email address. Use your personal email account***
Helpful Links
What is the FAFSA and why should I fill it out?
What is a CADAA and why should I fill it out?
FAFSA or CADAA, which one should I complete?
Financial Aid Programs - California
To view the list of Cash for College workshops, see below for dates and locations, the STEM HS website under the GUIDANCE tab, or pick up a flyer from your counseling office.
$$ Cash for College Workshops $$ :
The first of fourteen workshops is scheduled to take place next week Thursday January 18th, 2024 at North High School at 6pm.
Mrs. Unrath, our Guidance Technician, is the primary contact at STEM if you have questions about the FAFSA application.
nunrath@riversideunified.org 951-788-7308 ext 42658