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Financial Aid Applications
Fequently Asked Financial Aid Questions
Why should I fill out a financial aid application?
Because the rumors are NOT true. Most families in California qualify for free money in the form of grants, scholarships, and other aid. It is worth it to apply if your family has a little or has a lot.
Is it safe?
Yes! Your application is safe on the Internet. FAFSA on the Web, CADAA, and Chafee Grant in conjunction with the supported browser, use Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocol to establish a secure session between the browser and the FAFSA on the Web server.
How do I know which application to fill out?
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) applies to citizens, legal permanent residents, eligible non- citizens (per FAFSA), and T visa holders.
Students may need to fill out the California Dream Act (AB 540/SB 68) Application if they are an undocumented individual, DACAmented individual, U visa holder, or have TPS Protected Status.
The Chafee Grant Application, is for students who are or were in foster care for at least one day, between the ages of 16 and 18 as a dependent or ward of the court and have financial need.
For more information, see this handy guide.
What do I need to get started & finish my financial aid application in the quickest way possible?
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Social Security Numbers for the student & parent or Alien Registration Number (if you are not a U.S. citizen)
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FSA ID & password information for student & parent
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Use the IRS data retrieval tool and bring your tax documents from the prior year to answer a few questions.
What will this qualify me for?
Apply for the FAFSA or CADAA, and, if you were in foster care or were a ward of the court for at least one day between the ages of 16 -18, the Chafee Grant. California has one of the country’s most generous state aid programs in the nation!
- Cal Grant: There are three kinds of Cal Grants — A, B and C — but you don’t have to figure out which one to apply for. Your eligibility will be based on your FAFSA or CADAA responses, your verified Cal Grant GPA, the type of California colleges you list on your FAFSA and whether you’re a recent high school graduate. Visit https://www.csac.ca.gov/cal-grants for more information.
- State University Grant: The State University Grant (SUG) program provides need-based awards to eligible undergraduate and graduate/post baccalaureate students who are California residents or otherwise determined as eligible, such as AB 540-eligible students. When you apply for financial aid via the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) you are considered for a SUG by your campus. Visit https://www2.calstate.edu/attend/paying-for-college/financial-aid/types/Pages/state-university-grant-program.aspx for more information.
- Pell Grant: Pell Grants are awarded to students with demonstrated financial need who haven’t earned a bachelor’s, associates, or professional degree. Visit https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/types/grants-scholarships/pell for more information.
- California Chafee Grant for Foster Youth: If you are or were in California’s foster care system, you could receive up to $5,000 annually for career or technical training or college. Visit: https://chafee.csac.ca.gov/ for more information.
Want more grant information? Ask the schools you have been accepted to for more information, also, visit https://www2.calstate.edu/attend/paying-for-college/financial-aid/types/pages/grants.aspx