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About Financial Aid - Students can complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) by March 1, 2026, to qualify for federal and state grants, scholarships, work-study, or loans. Students can also complete the CSS Profile, which is only for institutional aid. Please see the details below.
FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. It’s how U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens get money for college, including:
Federal financial aid, like grants, work-study, or loans.
State financial aid, like the Cal Grant.
Some school-based financial aid, like scholarships or grants given out by colleges.
Fill out the FAFSA even if you’re not sure you’ll get financial aid. Each year, almost 90,000 California students miss out on major grant money because they choose not to fill out the FAFSA--don’t be one of them!
Application Fee: FREE!
Application Website: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
Application Deadline: March 1, 2026 for priority funding.
The California Dream Act Application (CADAA) is an application for the following students to apply for and receive California state financial aid: Undocumented Students, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, and U-Visa holders must meet the eligibility criteria under Assembly Bill 540. The California Dream Act allows students to receive state and institutional grants if they meet income guidelines, apply by the priority deadlines and complete all necessary paperwork on-time. This application is unrelated to the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
Application Fee: FREE!
Application Website: https://dream.csac.ca.gov/landing
Application Deadline: March 1, 2026 for priority funding.
The CSS Profile is an online financial aid application. Some colleges use it for institutional grants and scholarships. This kind of aid comes from your college, not the government. The CSS Profile is used mainly by private colleges. Some public colleges use it, too. Check to see if your college is on the list.
Application Fee: $25 for one college, $16 for each additional college. Eligible students may qualify for a Fee Waiver.
Application Website: https://cssprofile.collegeboard.org/complete-application
Application Deadline: You can apply as early as October 1 the year before you start college. Deadlines are different for every college. Plan to apply no later than two weeks before the earliest deadline.
The California Promise -
Most colleges can (but are not required to) waive enrollment fees for all first-time, full-time students who do not qualify for the California College Promise Grant.
Common Benefits include:
Waived tuition for two years of full-time college
Priority enrollment
A dedicated support team providing a wide array of academic and student support services (i.e. mentorship, academic advising)
Students must complete the FAFSA/Dream ACT application (CADAA) to be eligible for the Promise Program. College-bound students can begin the Promise Application as early as February.
Please see some local Promise Programs previously used by our Alumni.
Los Angeles College Promise (LACP) https://lacollegepromise.org/about.html
Includes all 9 Los Angeles Community Colleges.
South Bay Promise - https://www.elcamino.edu/admissions/south-bay-promise/
Long Beach College Promise - https://www.lbcc.edu/post/long-beach-college-promise
Ventura College Promise - https://www.venturacollege.edu/departments/student-services/financial-aid/types-of-financial-aid/ventura-college-promise
Moorpark College Promise - https://www.moorparkcollege.edu/departments/student-services/financial-aid-office/moorpark-promise
Antelope Valley College’s First Year Experience & Promise Program- https://www.avc.edu/students/student-life/first-year-experience/avc-promise-program
CalKids - A children's savings program
CalKIDS is the long-awaited children’s savings account program that offers all newborns and eligible low-income public school students in California between $25 and $1,500 to start saving for college and career training. Families are encouraged to build on this investment by opening and contributing to a ScholarShare 529 account of their own and see their college savings balances all in one place. Visit www.calkids.org today to learn more about eligibility, registering for the program, and getting started on your savings!
#CaliforniansForAll College Corps
College students at any partner college campus of the #CaliforniansForAll College Corps are eligible to apply as a fellow. There are 45 colleges and universities currently part of the program roll-out.
College Corps Fellows will be placed in community-based organizations working in K-12 education, climate action, and food insecurity. The student will complete a year of service (450 hours)
The fellow will complete a year of service (450 hours), earn up to $10,000 plus potential academic credit, receive ongoing training, and become part of a statewide cohort of young leaders across California.
AB 540 Dreamers are eligible to participate but must first apply for the California Dream Act Service Incentive Grant Program
Application Link: https://www.californiavolunteers.ca.gov/californiansforall-college-corps-for-college-students/
CaliforniaCollege.edu provides an abundant amount of information about Financial Aid Options, Eligibility, and Applications. Students are encouraged to register for their student account with our school district, "Blue Ridge Academy Charter".
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