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
- 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.
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.
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/ 
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
