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What is financial aid?
What is financial aid?
Click here for a glossary of commonly-used financial aid terms.
Financial aid is any monies given to a student for the purpose of meeting educational expenses. Types of aid include:
Scholarships - gift aid that does not need to be repaid; Based on need or merit, scholarships are usually offered to students who show potential for distinction or who possess certain characteristics specified by the scholarship provider (such as community service, athletics, talent, hobbies, ethnicity, etc.)
Grants - another name for gift aid that does not need to be repaid
Loans - "self-help" aid that must be repaid
Work-study - money earned by having an on-campus job while attending college
To the extent they are able, parents have the primary responsibility to contribute to their dependent child’s education. Students also have a responsibility to contribute as they are the primary beneficiary of the education. Financial Aid is designed to supplement the family’s resources, not supplant them. It is there to bridge the gap between the cost of a college education and what the family can afford.
Financial Aid can be divided into categories:
Need-based Aid- Determined by income and awarded based on demonstrating financial need
Non-need based Aid- Awarded on merit or talent
Financial Aid To Do List
No matter where you are in your college search, there are resources available to guide you. Prepare for the college financial aid process by checking off the items below.
9th Grade
Make a plan: The sooner you think about making a plan to go to college, the easier your choices will be in the future. Complete the Naviance tasks assigned by grade level so you feel prepared by the time you become a high school senior.
Saving for College: If possible, save what you can from birthday gifts or your part-time job. Savings will allow you to limit the amount you may need to borrow. Savings also provide you with options. The University of Notre Dame has info on their website if you want to Review some ways to save for college.
Check your CalKIDS scholarship eligibility: 60%+ of California's public school students are eligible for a CalKIDS scholarship worth $500 to $1,500. Students can check eligibility in seconds and then quickly claim their account. You will need to know your Statewide Student Identifier (SSID) number. Please ask your counselor or the College & Career Specialist to look up this number for you.
10th Grade
The Language of Financial Aid: Learn the financial aid terms that will help you understand the process.
Ask Questions: Each school is unique in how they offer financial aid. Ask questions about the process and opportunities available at each one. This can occur when you visit colleges, when you attend their sessions on our campus, or you can email the school directly.
Check your CalKIDS scholarship eligibility (if you didn't do it your first year of high school): 60%+ of California's public school students are eligible for a CalKIDS scholarship worth $500 to $1,500. Students can check eligibility in seconds and then quickly claim their account. You will need to know your Statewide Student Identifier (SSID) number. Please ask your counselor or the College & Career Specialist to look up this number for you.
11th Grade
Know Your Options: Explore financial aid options at the colleges and universities on your list. The best way to do this is to look at the financial aid page for each school you are considering.
Understand Net Price: Most students do not pay the full "sticker price" for college tuition. Estimate your costs by using the Net Price Calculator tool that every U.S. college/university has on their websites.
Visit Naviance to start looking for scholarships. Continue searching when you are a senior.
Check your CalKIDS scholarship eligibility (if you have not yet done so): 60%+ of California's public school students are eligible for a CalKIDS scholarship worth $500 to $1,500. Students can check eligibility in seconds and then quickly claim their account. You will need to know your Statewide Student Identifier (SSID) number. Please ask your counselor or the College & Career Specialist to look up this number for you.
12th Grade
Start the Process: Visit the financial aid websites of the schools where you will apply to see which financial aid applications they ask for and to look up their deadlines. You should also look at their scholarship options, including ones that are offered directly by the university AND see if they have a list of "private" or "outside" scholarships.
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), required by most colleges and universities.
Depending on your citizenship status, you may complete the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) instead of the FAFSA. Check out the requirements to decide.
Complete the CSS Profile (available Oct. 1 each year for the current senior class) if it is required by the schools to which you are applying.
It is the student's responsibility to know if their colleges require the CSS Profile. The priority dates for submitting these financial aid applications are based on whether you apply early (if applicable) or regular decision.
Continue searching for scholarships on Naviance.
Check your CalKIDS scholarship eligibility (if you have not yet done so): 60%+ of California's public school students are eligible for a CalKIDS scholarship worth $500 to $1,500. Students can check eligibility in seconds and then quickly claim their account. You will need to know your Statewide Student Identifier (SSID) number. Please ask your counselor or the College & Career Specialist to look up this number for you.
New as of the 2022-23 academic school year: California Education Code (CEC) § 51225.7 requires a local educational agency to confirm each 12th grade pupil’s completion and submission of a FAFSA or CADAA unless the pupil is determined to be exempt or an opt-out form is completed by a legally emancipated pupil, a pupil who is 18 years or older, a legal guardian, or parent, or a local educational agency on a pupil’s behalf. The goal behind this requirement is to expand access to financial aid to thousands of students who may have otherwise not been aware of these opportunities. Each graduating class will receive an email communication with more information.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as the FAFSA, is the official form to apply for federal aid to pay for college. It is also used by many states, individual colleges, and universities in making their financial aid decisions. Specifically, the FAFSA determines who will receive aid in the form of loans, scholarships, and grants based on the information collected from the application.
This page provides detailed information about the FAFSA and who contributes to the form: studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out/understanding-fafsa-form
Another very important financial aid application is the CSS Profile, short for the College Scholarship Service Profile. This online application, created and maintained by College Board, allows college students to apply for non-federal financial aid. Only some colleges require this additional financial aid application, so check the financial aid/scholarship page for each of your schools to see if it is listed. To be considered for full aid from your school, if they accept the CSS Profile, you need to submit it and the FAFSA.
The California Dream Act allows undocumented students, DACA recipients, U Visa holders and students under Temporary Protected Status (TPS), who qualify for a non-resident exemption under Assembly Bill 540 (AB 540), Senate Bill 2000 (SB 2000) and Senate Bill 68 (SB 68), to receive certain types of financial aid such as: private scholarships funded through public universities, state administered financial aid, university grants, community college fee waivers, and Cal Grants. In addition, the California Dream Act, allows eligible students to pay in-state tuition at any public college in California. Students should only complete one of the applications (not both), according to the citizenship requirements (so the FAFSA or CADAA).
Cal Grant is a financial aid program administrated by the California Student Aid Commissions (CSAC) providing aid to California undergraduates, vocational training students, and those in teacher certification programs. Cal Grants are the largest source of California state funded student financial aid (free money). There are several types of Cal Grant awards – click here for more information about the different types.
The Tamalpais Union High School District automatically submits the required documents for students to the California Student Aid Commission to determine eligibility for the Cal Grant. Eligibility is determined by unweighted grades earned in Sophomore & Junior year. Students are required to submit a completed FAFSA by March 2nd to be eligible for a Cal Grant.
Net price calculators are available on a college’s or university’s website and allow prospective students to enter information about themselves to find out what students like them paid to attend the institution in the previous year, after taking grants and scholarship aid into account.
This year's Financial Aid Night Webinar took place on Wednesday, October 15, 2025. Here are the slide decks in English and Spanish, the recording of the Webinar and a transcript of the questions & answers from the event.
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