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The State of California also provides grants. Cal Grants are for students who are pursuing an undergraduate degree or vocational or career training, and do not have to be repaid. In addition to meeting the financial criteria and Cal Grant requirements, you must:

• submit the FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application and your verified Cal Grant GPA by the deadline
• be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen or meet AB540 eligibility criteria
• be a California resident for 1 year
• attend a qualifying California college
• not have a bachelor’s or professional degree
• have financial need at the college of your choice
• have family income and assets below the minimum levels
• be enrolled or plan to enroll in a program leading to an undergraduate degree or certificate
• be enrolled or plan to enroll at least half time
• not owe a refund on any state or federal grant or be in default on a student loan
• not be incarcerated
• maintain the Satisfactory Academic Progress standards as established by the school. Recipients who do not meet the standards are ineligible for Cal Grant payment and will not use eligibility during the terms they are ineligible for payment.

View more information about Cal Grants

The California Dream Act allows undocumented students, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients, U Visa holders and students under Temporary Protected Status, who qualify for a non-resident exemption under Assembly Bill 540, Senate Bill 2000, and Senate Bill 68, to receive certain types of financial aid such as private scholarships funded through public universities, state administered financial aid, university grants, community college fee waivers , and Cal Grants. The California Dream Act allows eligible students to pay in-state tuition at any public college in California. 

The California Dream Act Application (CADAA) must be completed by March 2.

Learn more about the CADAA

Many colleges, universities and private scholarship programs collect additional information to assist in the awarding of aid through non-federal financial aid programs. Many private colleges require the CSS profile in addition to the FAFSA and some require that their own financial aid forms are submitted as well. If you are applying to one or more colleges on the CSS Code List, you should complete both the FAFSA and CSS profile.

Please check with individual colleges for deadline dates.

Learn more about the CSS Profile

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required by both public and private universities and colleges before scholarships or financial aid is awarded. For more information about the FAFSA and instructions, the website is www.fafsa.ed.gov. The filing priority date for most colleges is March 2. Within four weeks of filing by mail and a few days after filing online, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) from the federal processor. It will list the student’s expected family contribution, or EFC. A standard formula is used to calculate the EFC, based on the information the student provides on the FAFSA. The SAR will also be sent to the colleges you indicated on the FAFSA. The colleges will use the EFC to determine if you will be offered grants, loans, and/or work-study program. The earlier you file a FAFSA, the more likely you are to hear from the Commission early. Since most colleges have a May 1 deadline for intention to register, it is to your advantage to know as soon as possible about financial aid so that you can make an informed decision regarding which college you will attend. You will fill the FAFSA out your senior year in high school.

The FAFSA must be completed by March 2.

Learn more about the FAFSA

Federal Student Aid - provides an overview of federal student aid programs

FinAid - provides detailed information about scholarships, loans, savings plans, financial aid applications, and more

For additional scholarship information, explore these resources:

• Fastweb
• GoingMerry