What is the importance of applying for Financial Aid?

Financial Aid is free money that is awarded to students to help cover the cost of college expenses, regardless of what learning institution a student may attend upon graduating from high school. For students attending any of the California community colleges that awards free tuition for 2 years for incoming first time college students, applying for Financial Aid is a requirement. In addition to the community college requirement, it has been declared by California Governor Newsome in 2021 a legal bill. In bill AB-469, all California seniors must fill apply for Financial Aid or California Dream Act. If students and families choose not to, there is the option to opt out and not apply. For students wishing to opt out, forms can be obtained in the Career Center.

What do I need to apply for Financial Aid?

In order to apply for Financial Aid, you will need to create a FSA ID first by clicking the following link https://fsaid.ed.gov/npas/index.htm. This ID will allow you to access the online application for Financial Aid as well as be used to sign all documents electronically. 

What do I need to create a FSA ID?

• Social Security Number- if you do not have a SSN, you will not be able to create a FSA ID and will need to complete the California Dream Act application instead. See below for details and information on how to apply to the California Dream Act

• Full legal name- this will be the name that matches the name that is on your social security card

 What do I need for my Financial Aid application?

• Your Social Security Number

• Full legal name

• Parent's taxes- Class of 2024=2022 taxes

• Parent's full legal name-must match names on tax information

• Parent's Social Security Number- if parents do not have a SSN, put ONLY 000000000

• Home address

• Parent's phone number and email address

• Parent's date of marriage if applicable (MM/DD/YYYY)

Once you have the items mentioned above, you can start the free Financial Aid application by clicking the following link https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. Remember, you must have these items in order to apply for Financial Aid and to complete your application accurately.

When can I start applying for Financial Aid?

• Due to changes within Financial Aid, students can start applying beginning December 2023

When is the deadline to apply for Financial Aid? 

• April 2nd

This is a free application for state financial aid for California colleges, universities and trade schools for undocumented students. To be eligible, students must have attended California schools for at least 3 years (it does not need to be consecutive years of attendance). Students must also live in California and meet the eligibility requirements of a non-resident exemption, have a U Visa or TPS status.

What do I need to apply?

• Full legal name

• Parent's taxes, if filed- Class of 2024=2022 taxes

• Parent's full legal names as it appears on taxes

• Parent's Social Security Numbers if they have it

  • for parents without SSN, put ONLY 000000000

• Parent's phone number and email address

• Parent's date of marriage if applicable (MM/DD/YYYY)

When can I start applying for the CA Dream Act?

• Due to changes within CA Dream Act, students can start applying beginning December 2023

When is the deadline to apply for the CA Dream Act?

• April 2nd

To qualify for financial aid from the state of California, the following requirement must be met:

Complete your financial aid (FAFSA)/CA Dream Act application BEFORE April 2nd.

After the completion of FAFSA/CA Dream Act, you will have access to create and log on to your webgrant account by clicking on the link My Grant Info. You will need to access this account to update your declared college (done by May 1st) and check on the status of your awarded California grants.

 Aside from applying for FAFSA/ CA Dream Act, there are opportunities to apply for scholarships and outside grants to assist in paying for college. Please check the Scholarship page for current scholarship opportunities that may be available.