If you plan to attend an accredited institution after high school (trade school, community college, college or university, you are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). There are many benefits to completing the FAFSA:

Eligibility for Grants, Loans and Work Study; Student loans have the lowest interest rate of any loan. Additionally, if you meet certain requirements you may qualify for loan forgiveness on Direct loans.

Scholarships: many scholarships require a completed FAFSA in order to qualify

Institutional Aid: many colleges use the information on the FAFSA as a deciding factor when evaluating applications for merit scholarships

Community College "California College Promise Program: To qualify for two years of free tuition at a community college, you must complete the FAFSA