Free Application for Federal Student Aid. It is an annual form administered by the U.S. Department of Education that evaluates a student's financial situation to determine their eligibility for federal, state, and college-based financial assistance, including grants, scholarships, work-study programs, and student loans.
Beginning with the 2022–2023 school year, California requires all graduating seniors to either complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or submit an official opt-out form in order to meet the state's graduation requirement.
Use the link below to begin the FAFSA application process. Completing the FAFSA can help you qualify for grants, scholarships, work-study opportunities, and other forms of financial aid to help pay for college or career training.
Planning to Attend a University of California (UC)?
If you're planning to attend a University of California campus, use the link below to access the UC application. You'll also find important information about admissions requirements, application deadlines, and everything you need to begin the application process.
Be sure to apply early and review all requirements carefully to stay on track!
https://apply.universityofcalifornia.edu/my-application/login
What is this?
The University of California (UC) Personal Insight Questions (PIQs) require applicants to choose and answer exactly 4 out of 8 provided prompts, with a strict maximum of 350 words per response. All questions are weighted equally, and there is no preferred prompt.
The 8 UC PIQs
Applicants choose four topics, covering themes such as leadership, creativity, specific talents, educational barriers, personal challenges, academic interests, community service, and a general prompt for additional information. Transfer students must answer the question regarding major preparation, plus three others.
CSU Apply is the official centralized online application portal used to apply to all 23 universities within the California State University (CSU) system. Through the portal, you can create a single account to research degree programs, log your coursework, and apply to multiple CSU campuses at once.
Key details about the CSU Apply system include:
Cost: The application fee is $70 per campus. However, eligible California residents are automatically evaluated for application fee waivers during the checkout process, which can cover up to four campuses.
Requirements: Most undergraduate applicants do not need to submit letters of recommendation, resumes, or personal essays. Admission is generally determined by your academic coursework and GPA.
Deadlines: The primary fall application filing window generally runs from October 1 through November 30, though some campuses may extend deadlines depending on space and program availability.
The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) is the main state agency in California that handles financial aid for students. It helps people pay for college or vocational school by giving out grants and scholarships. Its goal is to make education after high school affordable for everyone in the state.
The California Dream Act Application (CADAA) is a financial aid application for eligible California students who are not eligible to file the FAFSA because of their immigration status. It allows qualifying students to apply for California state financial aid to help pay for college.
What is the Common App?
The Common App is a single online platform that lets students apply to multiple colleges and universities at one time. It saves time by allowing you to fill out your personal information, grades, and activities just once for all participating schools.
Interested in Joining the Military?
If you're considering a career in the military after high school, use the link below to explore your options. You'll find information about each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, career opportunities, eligibility requirements, benefits, and contact information for local recruiters who can answer your questions and guide you through the enlistment process.
The Smittcamp Family Honors College is a prestigious honors program at California State University, Fresno (Fresno State). Established in 1998, it accepts just 50 incoming freshmen each year, offering them the President's Honors Scholarship, which fully covers undergraduate tuition and provides a stipend for on-campus housing.
The honors college is highly competitive, typically drawing applicants with an average weighted GPA above 4.2. Scholars take specialized general education classes together, receive personalized faculty mentoring, and benefit from unique study abroad and community service opportunities. The college and the on-campus Smittcamp Alumni House are named after Earl and Muriel Smittcamp, prominent Central Valley agribusiness founders and long-time supporters of the university.
Looking for scholarships? The websites below are great resources to help you find local, state, and national scholarship opportunities. Be sure to check these sites regularly, as new scholarships are added throughout the year. Applying for multiple scholarships can increase your chances of earning financial assistance for college or career training.
Scholarships.com: https://www.scholarships.com/
Fast Web: https://www.fastweb.com/ppc?utm_source=google&utm_medium=ppc&ESRC=fw_ggl.kw&pibrand=FW&pichannel=paid&pivertical=recruitment&piproduct=recruitment&pipartner=internal&piform=owned&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=209138163&gbraid=0AAAAAD_qkBef-XjW81ciFBKlInaYUU2Iy&gclid=Cj0KCQjwm8bTBhDWARIsAC9Hi8kGxz1ON1E4egGZW-t3KVGXBrW1xfcos2hFoXNuA7DoJHooEjI9P94aAjI2EALw_wcB
FinAid: https://finaid.org/
StudentScholarships.org is a free online database and resource platform that helps high school, undergraduate, and vocational students find and apply for college scholarships, grants, and bursaries.
Please use the links below for helpful tips on what to expect and how to prepare for a college visit. These resources can help you make the most of your visit and know what questions to ask while exploring your options.
https://www.familiesgotravel.com/2023/03/college-campus-tours-tips/