FAFSA

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)


What is FAFSA? 
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form to apply for financial aid (grants, work-study, and loans) to pay for college or career school (click on the logo).
 
When do I complete the FAFSA?
The FAFSA form is available on Oct. 1 for the next school year and the priority deadline to submit is March 2nd (2023-2024 School Year - FAFSA will open in December and CA Priority Deadline is April 2nd) 
 
Who must complete the FAFSA?
The most vital step in applying for federal grants, work-study, and loans for college is the FAFSA form.
 
To apply you must:
- Be a US citizen or Permanent Resident (have a green card/eligible non-citizen)
- Have a valid Social Security Number
- Have a high school diploma or recognized equivalent, such as a GED
 
How do I complete the FAFSA?
Filling out the FAFSA form can be a straightforward and easy process. Select the “Fill Out the FAFSA” button on the home page, and just follow the directions on the screen. The 2020–21 FAFSA form is on the myStudentAid app! 
 
Note: Students completing a FAFSA application will also need to create a FAFSA IDbefore starting their application. 
 
FAFSA

CADAA

California Dream Act Application (CADAA)


What is CADAA?
The California Dream Act Application allows undocumented/dreamer students interested in attending eligible California Colleges, Universities and Career Education Programs to apply for state financial aid. This application is unrelated to the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. (click on the logo below)
 
When do I complete CADAA?
The CADAA form is available on Oct. 1 for the next school year and the deadline to submit is March 2nd (For 2023-2024 School Year, CADAA will open in December and CA Priority Deadline is April 2nd)
 
Who must complete the CADAA?
Students who live in California and meet the eligibility requirements for a non-resident exemption, as
well as students who have a U Visa or TPS status, can use the California Dream Act application
(CADAA). Similarly, students without Social Security Numbers or students who have lost DACA
status (or never applied for DACA), may still be eligible.
 
*To qualify for AB540/AB2000, students must have:
  • attended a high school (public or private) in California for three or more years, OR
  • attained credits earned in California from a California high school equivalent to three or more years of full-time high school coursework and attended a combination of elementary, middle and/or high schools in California for a total of three or more years AND
How do I complete the CADAA Application?
The form is available online at https://dream.csac.ca.gov/ Ca Dream Act Logo
 

CSS

College Scholarship Service Profile

 
What is the CSS profile?
The CSS Profile is an online application that collects information used by nearly 290 private colleges and some public univerisity scholarship programs to award non-federal aid. (For federal aid you must complete the FAFSA, available Oct. 1 at fafsa.ed.gov.) Some colleges may require the CSS Profile from both biological/adoptive parents in cases of divorce or separation. 
 
When do I complete the CSS Profile?
You may complete the CSS Profile as early as Oct. 1, 2020. You should submit no later than two weeks before the EARLIEST priority filing date specified by your colleges.
 
Who must complete the CSS Profile?
Check your colleges’ information to determine whether they require the CSS Profile. A list of participating colleges is also found on the CSS Profile Homepage.
 
How do I complete the CSS Profile?
You submit the CSS Profile at cssprofile.org. Once you signin, you will find a list of useful documents, such as your federal tax returns and other financial information that you’ll need to have at hand to complete the application. Help is provided within the application and additional help is available by chat, phone, or email by clicking “Contact Us” in the application. 
 
Resources:
CSS Profile Student Guide

CSS Profile Participating Institutions and Programs

Additional Financial Aid Resources

Understand the difference between Net Price versus Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and the Cost of Attendance versus Federal Government Calculation on how much a family will pay. 

 

Scholarships

All scholarships available to Sequoia students are listed on Naviance. Each month a list is available to students (see link below). Most scholarships are based on community service, grades, or significant financial need.
 
Visit our Scholarship page for monthly updates.

Research Costs

 
Is this college affordable?
Look at Net Price Calculators on every college website (Do NOT include Merit Aid)
Do they cap their loans? 
 

Institutional Aid and Costs

Most colleges provide financial aid programs for students. You can research Merit Aid at each school's requirements (most based on GPA, SAT, or ACT) and deadlines (some are different from application deadlines) 
Some colleges have more Paid Internships than others to help with costs. 
 
 

Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)


What is WUE?
A program coordinated by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE). Click on the logo for more information.
 
 
WUE

California State Aid: Learn about Cal Grant, Middle-Class Scholarship, and other state aid programs. 


What is Cal Grant?
Cal Grant is money for college you don’t have to pay back. To qualify, you must apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) by the deadline and meet the eligibility and financial requirements as well as any minimum GPA requirements.

What is the Middle-Class Scholarship?
The Middle-Class Scholarship (MCS) is a program that provides undergraduate students with family incomes up to $177,000* and a maximum annual household asset amount of $177,000,* a scholarship to attend the University of California (UC) or California State University (CSU) campuses.*Subject to the approval of the 2020-2021 State Budget.

 

CSAC 


Whether you are a US citizen, a permanent resident, or an undocumented student who qualifies under AB 540, money for post-secondary education is available for you! Read below for information on Financial Aid opportunities and applications!