Recommendations before you begin:

Create a professional email that you will use for your college applications, financial aid, scholarships, etc. For example, if your first name is "John" and your last name is "Lancer", you can use: johnlancer@gmail.com or jlancer@gmail.com or lancerjohn@gmail.com
DO NOT USE your school email!!! Once you graduate, you will no longer have access to your school email.
Be sure to frequently check your email for important information
For in-person support, attend one of our workshops and contact your counselor.

Step 1

It is recommended that all students who plan on attending a college or university complete one of the following:

Go to studentaid.gov and create an FSA ID
One of your parents will also need to create an FSA ID
Use FSA ID to start your application, you will need the following information.
1. Parents/ students complete taxes from 2020
2. Parent/ student SS# if you have one
3. Parent/ student must have active reliable emails.

FAFSA

Once you have completed your FAFSA, you will automatically be applied for the Cal-Grant.Your next step is to Create a Cal-Grant Account to select which college/university you would like the specific money grant to go.
CHECK you emails!!! You will receive your SAR Report ( Student Aid Report) make sure all information is correct.
Any changes can be made by going back to your FAFSA Account and submit a make a change request.

In helping your decision of which college/university to attend:
Research the college's/university's financial aid website/information. There may be specific grants and scholarships given regardless of income.

Grants: This type of funding is considered to be free money. Grant monies do NOT have to be repaid. Grants can come from the federal government, state government, private sources, and college/universities.
Scholarships: Much like grants, scholarships are also considered free money and do NOT have to be paid back to the funding source. Scholarships typically require the student to follow an application process. Eligibility for scholarships can be based on either merit, financial need, or both.
Loans: Unlike grants and scholarships, loans will require the student to pay back the monies borrowed to the lender. The terms of the loan will depend on the lender.
Work-Study: Federal Work-Study provides part-time jobs for students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses.

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