Paying for College
A variety of financial aid sources are available to help students and families pay for college or technical/vocational schools. Financial aid can come from federal, state, school and private sources. Financial aid can come in the form of grants, scholarships, work-study jobs and/or loans.
Applying for Financial Aid.pdfFree Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
To apply for federal student aid, such as federal grants, work-study, and loans, you need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Completing and submitting the FAFSA is free. It gives you access to the largest source of financial aid to pay for college or career school. In addition, many states and colleges use your FAFSA information to determine your eligibility for state and school aid.
California Dream Act Application (CADAA)
The California Dream Act allows undocumented and nonresident students (U.S. Citizens and eligible non-citizens) who qualify for a non-resident exemption under Assembly Bill 540 (AB 540) 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.
Cal Grant
The Cal Grant is a California-specific financial aid allocation that does not need to be paid back. Cal Grant applicants must apply for the FAFSA or CADAA by the deadline and meet all eligibility, financial, and minimum GPA requirements of either program. Grants are for students attending University of California, California State University or California Community College, or qualifying independent and career colleges or technical schools in California.
Scholarships
Scholarships are gifts and don't need to be repaid. There are thousands of them, offered by schools, employers, individuals, private companies, nonprofits, communities, religious groups, and professional and social organizations. To find scholarship opportunities, start with your high school College & Career Center. You can also contact the college you plan to attend, community organizations that you and/or your family are involved in, scholarship search engines and more.
Grants, Loans & Work-Study
Grants are aid that generally doesn’t have to be repaid. Loans are borrowed money for college or career school; your loans must be repaid with interest. Work-Study is a federal work program through which undergraduates and graduate students at participating schools earn money to help pay for school.
Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)
The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) is an agreement among 16 member states and territories, through which 160+ participating public colleges and universities provide nonresident tuition savings for Western students. Through WUE, eligible students can choose from hundreds of undergraduate programs outside their home state, and pay no more than 150 percent of that institution’s resident tuition rate.
CCS Profile
The CSS Profile, short for the College Scholarship Service Profile, is an online application created and maintained by the College Board that allows college students to apply for non-federal financial aid. The CCS Profile is used by about 200 schools.
Net Price Calculator
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.
Comparing Financial Aid Offers
A school award letter tells you what financial aid you can receive at a particular college or career school. If you’ve applied to several schools, be sure to compare aid offers to see which school will be the most affordable. It's easy to compare your financial aid offers. There are various free tools and help you choose an offer that is best for you and your family.
Choosing Which Financial Aid Offer to Accept
When your school financial aid office sends you an aid offer, they’ll ask you to indicate which financial aid you want. Look carefully at your options and make an informed decision.