MOney
How Do I pay for college?
You will fill out one of the following to receive scholarships, grants, work study, and/or loans from the state of California and the national government to cover your tuition and college expenses.
Opens: October 1st Deadline: March 2nd
Fill out FAFSA -OR- CADAA "Dream Act"
-AND maybe- CSS Profile (select colleges)
#1 fafsa
Opens: October 1st Deadline: March 2nd
EVERYONE WILL FILL OUT THE FAFSA! Citizens, Eligible Non-Citizens: US National, US Permanent resident, Refugee, Asylum Granted, T-Visa.
*Opt out form required if you decide not to submit one.
Apply AS SOON AS POSSIBLE ... the sooner, the better!
Add ALL the colleges you think you may apply to.
#1 cadaa "California Dream Act"
Opens: October 1st Deadline: March 2nd
Who fills out CADAA? Students under DACA, are undocumented and do not hold a valid non-immigrant visa (F, J, H, L, A, B, C, D, E, etc.)
Apply AS SOON AS POSSIBLE ... the sooner, the better!
Add ALL the colleges you think you may apply to.
** CSS Profile
Who fills out the CSS Profile? Students who are applying to a college that asks for it.
NOT for UC and CSU colleges. Check your college website financial aid webpage.
#2 College scholarships
Most college applications are your application for scholarships also.
Colleges will tell you if you qualify for scholarships &/or if they need more information or a different application.
MOST early application deadlines are scholarship deadlines....so, apply by the early deadlines.
You must submit FAFSA or CADAA in order to get maximum aid.
After you are accepted, CALL the Financial Aid office and let them know you were accepted and that you are interested in knowing about any additional aid you may be eligible for once you are a student there.
Ask about other scholarships, grants, jobs on campus (specifically housing because they could even give you housing and food for free!)
#3 local private scholarships
Will be updated to your Google Classroom between December through May
financial aid award letter
After you are admitted to a college, they will send you a letter stating your financial aid offer (FAFSA grants, scholarships, work study, loans, etc.)
If your financial situation has drastically changed since you submitted your FAFSA or CADAA, you will need to contact the financial aid office at your college to explain your circumstances; in many cases, financial aid is adjusted as a result.
