Financial Aid & Scholarships

!!!FINANCIAL AID ALERT!!!

Deadline Extension and New Resources

In consideration of the challenges students and families have experienced since the launch of the redesigned Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the state filing deadline has been extended from April 2 to May 2, 2024. We are encouraging students to complete the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) as soon as possible, before the state deadline. Students can be reassured that any delays in processing will not negatively impact their financial support.

The California Student Aid Commission is hosting free Cash for College workshops across California to help students complete their FAFSA or CADAA applications. Find a local workshop or online webinar here.

New Guidance for Mixed-Status Families

The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC), together with the University of California (UC), the California State University (CSU), and the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO) announced on April 9th an alternative financial aid application option for California students from mixed-status households for those that have been unable to successfully complete the FAFSA. Mixed-status families include a student who is a U.S. citizen with one or more parents without a Social Security Number (SSN). Students are encouraged to attempt to complete FASFA first, to ensure that federal aid can be received. Additional instructions for mixed-status families completing the FASFA are available here.

¡¡¡ALERTA DE AYUDA FINANCIERA!!!

Extensión de Plazos y Nuevos Recursos

Teniendo en cuenta los desafíos que los estudiantes y las familias han experimentado desde el lanzamiento de la Solicitud Gratuita de Ayuda Federal para Estudiantes (FAFSA) rediseñada, la fecha límite de presentación estatal se extendió del 2 de abril al 2 de mayo de 2024. Alentamos a los estudiantes a completar la FAFSA o Solicitud California Dream Act (CADAA) lo antes posible, antes de la fecha límite estatal. Los estudiantes pueden tener la seguridad de que cualquier retraso en el procesamiento no afectará negativamente su ayuda financiera.

La Comisión de Ayuda Estudiantil de California (CSAC) está organizando talleres gratuitos de Cash for College en todo California para ayudar a los estudiantes a completar sus solicitudes FAFSA o CADAA. Encuentre un taller local o un taller en línea aquí.

Nueva guía para familias de estatus mixto

La Comisión de Ayuda Estudiantil de California (CSAC), junto con la Universidad de California (UC), la Universidad Estatal de California (CSU) y la Oficina del Canciller de Colegios Comunitarios de California (CCCCO) anunciaron el 9 de abril una opción alternativa de solicitud de ayuda financiera para estudiantes de California de hogares de estatus mixto para aquellos que no han podido completar exitosamente el FAFSA. Las familias de estatus mixto incluyen un estudiante que es ciudadano estadounidense con uno o más padres sin un Número de Seguro Social (SSN). Alentamos a los estudiantes a intentar completar FAFSA primero para garantizar que puedan recibir ayuda federal. Instrucciones adicionales para familias de estatus mixto que completan la FAFSA están disponibles aquí.

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.

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

PRIORITY DEADLINE: MAY 2, 2024

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)

PRIORITY DEADLINE: MAY 2, 2024

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) 2021 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.

1040 Page 1 — Sample IRS Form 1040, Page 1

Schedule 1, page 1 — Sample IRS Form Schedule 1, Page 1

Schedule 1, page 2 — Sample IRS Form Schedule 1, Page 2

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.

Selective Service System Registration Form