Financial Aid
Reasons to Submit the FAFSA /CADAA
1. You can get "free" money
When you submit a FAFSA, you automatically apply for federal grants, such as Pell and Promise, free government money you do not have to pay back.
2. Almost everyone qualifies
Every student is eligible for some type of aid, whether it's grants, loans or both.
3. It's free and fast
The application is free to submit and takes less than 30 minutes to complete.
4. It's a requirement
Some scholarships, grants and loans and college specific aid require an application be on file.
5. Federal loans
Federal loans are offered by the federal government and have much lower interest rates than private lenders. An application is required to be eligible.
6. Financial aid award
Schools that have accepted you will put together a financial aid package based on the information you submit.
7. You only need to complete one
List all the colleges you applied to on your FAFSA. The information goes to all of them.
Which Application Should I Complete?
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is for citizens of the United States, plus eligible non-citizens and permanent residents (typically, these students would hold a Green Card). By submitting a FAFSA, you'll be eligible for both federal and state financial aid.
The CA Dream Act is the application for non-citizens and non-permanent residents of the United States. Students who have been granted DACA or are categorized as AB-540 students should submit the CA Dream Act.
By submitting a CA Dream Act, you'll be eligible for California state-based aid. The CA Dream Act is unique to the state of California, and Dreamers are eligible for much more financial aid than in other states.
Apply Here
Apply Here
How To Videos
The videos below provide an overview of what each application looks like to get you familiar with the process before you begin and covers how to fill it out.
Creating an FSA ID
The first step in the Financial Aid Application Process. Students and parents should create an FSA ID. Check with your parents to see if they already have one from when they went to college or an older sibling.
Understanding Financial Aid
Financial aid to pay for college is available from a variety of sources. Student aid includes grants, scholarships, work-study jobs, and loans. Financial aid is money to help pay for college or career school. Grants, work-study, loans, and scholarships help make college or career school affordable. Financial aid can come from federal, state, school, and private sources to help you pay for college or career school.
Understanding Your Financial Aid Award Letters
Types of Federal Student Aid
Responsible Borrowing
What is Work Study
How to qualify for Work Study?
Cal Grant Awards
WebGrants is required for you to manage your Cal Grant and/or Chafee account(s) by letting you view updates, make school changes, make address changes, make corrections, and post leave of absence requests. Note: your WGS account does not replace your School or FAFSA accounts. Each account must be monitored and managed independently.