Financial Aid

Ask your counselor ...

Find out when financial aid workshops will be hosted at your school or in the community. In the mean time please find the resources below.

General information about paying for college

• 1. Financial Aid TV: this site provides videos detailing general information about financial aid.

1. Ed Fund: Paying for College: this site provides information about the various sources within financial aid. They also publish the finanical aid bible called "Fund your Future". Make sure to pick up a copy from your college/ career center or you can download an electronic copy from the website.

2. Scholarship resources: AMAZING resource that provides details on how to get free money!!

Forms you may need to complete to help pay for college

1. AB540 Sample California Non-resident Tuition exemption form: Qualified undocumented students can pay in-state tuition if they meet AB540 requirements.

2. Cal grant GPA verfication form: must be completed before March 2. (Only for California residents.)

3. CHAFEE grant: for foster care students

4. CSS profile form: if you are applying to certain private schools

5. FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): Complete this online form every year you are in college starting between Jan 1 - March 2 (only CA state) of your senior year in high school.

6. FAFSA4Caster: Plan for financial aid early: You can determine what the federal government will expect you and your parents to contribute to your education WAY before you are ready to apply for colleges...

7. FAFSA Pin: WRITE this down and tell your parents to remember their pin!! The pin serves as an official signature every year you complete the FAFSA.

Additional Scholarship Resources

The resources with a * symbol are especially useful for AB540 students.

• 1. Bill and Melinda Gates scholarship

     1. College Net Scholarship engine

     2. College Board- Paying for college

     3. Fastweb

     4. Finaid.org

     5. Hispanic Fund *

     6. Hispanic scholarship Fund *

     7. MALDEF scholarships for AB540 students*

     8. QuestBridge Scholarship

     9. Salvadoran American Leadership and Education Fund

     10. Scholarships for students under the age of 13

     11. UCLA incoming freshman alumni scholarships: deadline for this scholarship is in February (before you know if you were admitted).

Important websites to help you avoid scholarship scams!

1. Federal trade Commission info to prevent scholarship scams

   1. National Consumer League's Fraud Center

Additional AB540 resources

1. Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles

2. Frequently asked questions about AB540

3. Korean Resource Center

4. MALDEF