Financial Aid & Scholarships
SCHOLARSHIPS
Find and apply for as many scholarships as you can. Scholarships are free money. The 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.
Scholarship Resources
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FINANCIAL AID
There are billions of dollars of financial aid available to students who need help paying for college. If you want this assistance, it's important that you determine your eligibility and apply on time. There are two main forms to fill out for financial aid; the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA).
FAFSA
To apply for most financial aid - including federal and state grants, work-study, and loans - you'll need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Although this financial aid form may seem complex, there are many free resources to help you. Visit the College and Career for information on upcoming workshops and assistance completing the application.
You are eligible to complete the FAFSA if you are a:
- US Citizen
- Permanent Resident
- Eligible non-citizen
- T visa holder
APPLICATION EXPECTED TO OPEN: DECEMBER 1, 2024
PRIORITY DEADLINE: MARCH 3, 2025
The FAFSA is available online at: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
Need help completing your FAFSA???
Receiving an error message or having technical issues, contact customer service at 1-800-4FED-AID (1-800-433-3243).
CA Dream Act Application (CADAA)
The California Dream Act allows undocumented and nonresident students who qualify for non-resident exemption under Assembly Bill 540 (AB540) to received certain types of 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.
- You are eligible to complete CADAA if you are:
- Undocumented
- Have a valid or expired DACA
- U Visa holders
- Have Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
APPLICATION EXPECTED TO OPEN: DECEMBER 1, 2024
PRIORITY DEADLINE: MARCH 3, 2025
The CADAA is available online at: https://dream.csac.ca.gov
Receiving an error message or having technical issues, contact customer service at 1-888-224-7268.
Before you apply to FAFSA or CADAA have the following information and documentation ready:
- Your Social Security Number (for FAFSA only)
- Your Alien Registration Number (for FAFSA only)
- Parent's federal income tax return, W-2s, and other records of money earned.
- Bank statements and records of investments (if applicable)
- Records of untaxed income (if applicable)
Not sure whose information to put on your financial aid application?
For more information visit https://studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out/parent-info
Documents Needed to Complete Your Financial Aid Applications
Students need to have a copy of their Social Security number, if they have one, and parent(s) 2022 tax returns, or pictures of the forms, to successfully complete the application. Below are screenshots of the forms where most of the information comes from. Those forms include the Form 1040 page 1 and 2, the W-2(s) and any schedules parents may have.
WebGrants 4 Students
The WebGrants 4 Students (WG4S) portal provides students with the resources, information and tools needed to assist with the college financial aid process. WebGrants will allow you to manage your Cal Grant and/or Chafee account(s) online by letting you view updates, make school changes, make address changes, and post leave of absence requests. You MUST create a WG4S account to finalize your school of attendance for Fall 2024. If you don't do this, your financial aid money CANNOT be sent to your school.
Note: your WG4S account does not replace your College or FAFSA/CADAA accounts. Each account must be monitored and managed independently.
Understanding Your Financial Aid Package
Receiving your financial aid award letter can be an exciting time when you’re prepping for college. You can see how much financial aid you’re eligible to receive per college you’re accepted to. But it can also be confusing – what do the numbers mean? What is the financial aid award letter, and do you need to act on it? Which college has offered you a better “deal?” Go Merry is breaking all of this down for you. Click here for more information.
SELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM
Under the Military Selective Service virtually all male U.S. citizen, regardless of where they live, and male immigrants, whether documented or undocumented residing in the United States, who are 18-25 are required to register with Selective Service.
It is important to know that even through a man is registered, he will not automatically be inducted into the military. Registering with Selective Service does not mean you are joining the military. In a crisis requiring a draft, men would be called in a sequence determined by random lottery numbers and year of birth. Pending other evaluations they would then be deferred or exempt from military service or inducted into the Armed Forces.
Remember, by registering, a young man stays eligible for jobs, college loans and grants, job training, driver's license in most states, and US citizenship for immigration.
To register online visit: Selective Service System
If you do not have a Social Security Number you can download the registration form (available below) or pick up a form in the Career Center.