Approximately 86% of full-time undergraduate students at 4-year institutions receive some type of financial aid* 

Estimated current student costs (educational expenses which include fees, books & supplies, student housing, food, personal expenses, transportation) before financial aid for freshman year: 

University of California (UC) schools - $36,700** 

California State University (CSU) schools range from $22,232 - $30,240 (on campus housing)*** 

Private colleges and universities - Can range from $15,000-$70,000 

Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC) - $12,994 (living at home) =~$138-184 per class**** 

Financial aid is monetary assistance available to students/families with financial need and is used to pay for part or all of the education. "Need” is the difference between the educational expenses and the amount of money you and your family are able to pay. 

For FAFSA applicants, the vast majority of aid comes from federal aid, while a small portion may come from state aid and college aid. For California Dream Act applicants, aid comes from the state (not federal government). 

*www.nces.ed.gov 

**www.universityofcalifornia.edu/paying-for uc/tuition-and-cost/index.html ***https://www2.calstate.edu/attend/paying-for-college/Documents/20-21-coa.pdf (2020-2021 estimated cost of attendance)

****SRJC (2017-2018)

California Nonresident Tuition Exemption Education Code commonly known as AB 540 allows certain students from paying nonresident tuition (higher than resident tuition) and allows them to apply for different types of California Dream Act financial aid.

Students Must Have

1. Satisfaction of either of the following:

   1. High School attendance in California for three or more years.

   2. Attained credits earned in California from a California high school equivalent to three (3) or more years of fulltime high school course work and attended a combination of elementary, middle and/or high schools in California for a total of three (3) or more years, or a combination of those schools. or

   3. Attained credits earned at a California adult school, or

   4. Attained credits at a California Community College, or

   5. A combination of the schools listed above.

2. Graduated or will graduate from a California high school, or

   1. Attained a General Education Development (GED), High School Equivalency Test (HiSET), Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC), or

   2. Attained an associate degree from a California Community College, or

   3. Fulfilled the minimum transfer requirements to transfer from a California Community College to a University of California or California State University, and

3. Will register or enroll in an accredited and qualifying California college or university, and

4. If applicable, complete the affidavit stating that you will legalize your immigration status as soon as you are eligible, and

5. Do not hold a valid non-immigrant visa (A, B, C, D, E, F, J, H, L, etc.) *

**If you have Temporary Protected Status or hold a U Visa you are eligible

AB 1899 allows U and T visa holders to also apply for state financial aid. (T visa holders should file a FAFSA, U visa holders should file a CA Dream Act Application)

If you meet the requirements above, you should complete the CA Dream Act Application for financial aid. (A certified GPA is also necessary for Cal Grant consideration.)

Your college is responsible for verifying your AB 540 eligibility. Check with your Admissions Office early in the summer before the Fall Term starts.

Steps to Apply for Financial Aid

Step 1: Explore your options. 

Starting in your high school junior year, explore all financial aid options from federal, state and school sources. Try using the FAFSA4caster online, to estimate aid. Also find out about private grants and scholarships. Talk with a counselor and ask your parents to check with employers and labor unions. Go online and look at scholarship, grant and student aid resources. 

Step 2: Find out what schools require. 

During the college admission application process, also find out what each school requires to apply for financial aid. Even at similar colleges in California, requirements and deadlines are not the same. Schools outside the state will have their own financial aid application process.

Step 3: Get and complete the right applications. 

Step 4: Apply for a Cal Grant by March 2. 

Step 5: Other Grants and Scholarships 

Follow up on application requirements for private scholarships and grants. Prepare to spend some time researching this subject; writing letters or essays and even speaking before community groups may be part of the private scholarship application process. 

Step 6: Federal Student Loan Programs. 

Application requirements for student loan programs vary. A direct Subsidized Loan and a Direct Unsubsidized Loan have different terms. A loan application/promissory note form must be completed. Loans will have different eligibility and application requirements, and it is important to carefully review all loan terms before committing. All loans must be repaid with interest. Click here for more information on the different types of federal student loans. 

Ask your college financial aid office for exact loan application information and requirements. (Some schools are restricted from participation in the various student loan programs due to high default rates.) Complete the required forms and return them to the college for certification. 

The financial aid office at the college has a list of banks, savings and loan institutions, and credit unions that make student loans, along with the current lending policies for many of them. Before applying for a student loan, make sure that doing so will not affect other aid. 

Step 7: After student aid is offered 

Carefully read all letters and notices received from colleges, the federal student aid processor, the need analysis service, the Student Aid Commission and private scholarship organizations. The offers of financial aid vary by school and may be sent either before or after you are notified about admission. If additional information is requested, respond promptly. 

When offering campus-based aid, schools take into account family contributions, Federal Pell Grants, Cal Grants, other scholarships and veterans' benefits. Read your award letter carefully. 

Here are things you should know about a financial aid offer: 

Sign and return all forms, indicating whether you are accepting or rejecting the award. 

You need not accept the whole student aid package. If you do not accept the loan portion, the aid office usually will not be able to increase the size of your grants.

Your award may be changed if your financial resources or expenses change. Report any changes, both before and during the school year, to the financial aid office 

Financial aid generally is disbursed when a student begins classes. Ask the financial aid office how your Pell Grant, campus-based aid and Cal Grant payments will be made and plan accordingly. Also ask how to get your checks; some schools mail the awards, while others expect students to pick them up. 

Private organizations will notify you directly of an award. Students may be paid directly or through the campus financial aid office. If you receive other aid, you must report it to the financial aid office right away. 

Step 8: Expect to Reapply Annually. 

To receive continued student aid, you must submit a new or renewal FAFSA and supporting documents each year and must maintain satisfactory academic progress toward a degree or certificate. The school's financial aid office has information on when and how to reapply.