GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS

You must complete the FAFSA application on time to be considered for federal student aid. States and colleges also use FAFSA information to award their own financial aid packages.

Create an account and get an FSA ID. You can use your FSA ID right away to sign and submit your first FAFSA form. But to use your FSA ID for anything else, you will have to wait up to three days for your information to be confirmed by the Social Security Administration (SSA).

Log in to the FAFSA if you already have an account.

Find out what information you need to fill out the FAFSA. It will be easier to complete the form if you have everything together before you start.

Begin the FAFSA application.

After you submit your application, check its status to make sure it has been processed. You can:

• Log in to your account at fafsa.gov
• Or contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center

If you submit a paper FAFSA form, you can check its status 7–10 days after you mail it. 

You will receive a report with a summary of the information you entered on your FAFSA form. Review it and make any necessary corrections by the due date.

Each college and career/trade school may have its own deadline. Check with the school you’re interested in attending. You may also want to ask about the school’s definition of an application deadline. 

For example, the deadline could be the date your FAFSA form is processed or the date the school receives your processed FAFSA data.

A school aid offer (sometimes called an award letter) tells you what financial aid you can receive at a particular college or career school.
If you’ve applied to several schools, be sure to compare aid offers to see which school will be the most affordable.

If you listed a school on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form and have been offered admission by that school, the financial aid office at the school will send you an aid offer (often electronically). The offer includes the types and amounts of financial aid you may receive from federal, state, private, and school sources. This combination of aid is your financial aid package.

Review your FAFSA Submission Summary carefully to make sure it’s correct. The college(s) or career school(s) you listed on your FAFSA form will use your information to determine your eligibility for federal—and possibly nonfederal—financial aid. A school may ask you to verify the accuracy of your FAFSA data, so you need to be sure the information is correct.

The types of aid included in the CA Dream Act are: Cal Grants, UC Grants, State University Grants, California College Promise Grant and EOP or EOPS grants. It also includes the Middle-Class Scholarships and school-specific scholarships. The CA Dream Act can also give you access to Dream Loans at the CSU or UC, even if you are undocumented.

Undocumented Students must meet the eligibility criteria for AB 540, AB 2000, SB 68 or U-Visa holders to apply for and receive California state financial aid. The California Dream Act allows students to receive state and institutional grants if they meet income guidelines, apply by the priority deadlines, and complete all necessary paperwork on-time.

The Dream Act was created for students who are not U.S. Citizens, National or Permanent residents or do not fulfill ALL of the FAFSA requirements. The DREAM application is unique to California promoting access to all students regardless of immigration statues and/or documentation.

For Students who have completed a California Dream Act Application (CADAA) — When creating your MyFA Forms account you need to use your Dream Act I.D. in place of a Social Security Number. The Dream I.D. can be found on your CA Student Aid Report at Webgrants 4 Students.

The California Dream application opens in December. Given the number of times students who complete the application and have run into issues, we recommend starting your application for the upcoming school year, no later than January. Starting early will give you enough time to troubleshoot issues with your application and still submit the application on time, by that March 2 deadline.

Cal Grant Programs are for students attending Universities of California, California State Universities or California Community Colleges, or qualifying independent and career colleges or technical schools in California.

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 CA Dream Act Application responses, your verified Cal Grant GPA, the type of California colleges you list on your application and whether you’re a recent high school graduate. 

For students enrolling at a CA Community College starting

The Cal Grant Community College Entitlement Award is for students attending a California Community College (CCC). Applicants must submit a FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application, plus a verified Cal Grant GPA to the California Student Aid Commission by September 2.

Who is considered for a Community College Entitlement Award

• Students must be enrolled at a California Community College
• Students who meet the general Cal Grant eligibility requirements.

For current high school seniors and recent high school graduates

The Cal Grant High School Entitlement Award is for current high school seniors and recent high school graduates. Applicants must submit a high school GPA, FASFA or CADAA to the California Student Aid Commission by March 2.

Who is considered for a High School Entitlement Award

• Current High school seniors and last year’s high school graduates
• Students who meet the general Cal Grant eligibility requirements.

This grant is for students who plan to transfer directly from a California Community College to a 4-Year University that offers a bachelor degree in the academic year that they are applying for the award. Deadline is March 2 and applicants must submit a FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application and have a minimum GPA of 2.4.

For students who are not eligible for the Cal Grant Entitlement awards

This is a competitive award and limited to 13,000 awards each academic year. To be considered for the award, you must meet the general Cal Grant eligibility requirements and complete a FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application. Only students who are not awarded a Cal Grant Entitlement award can be considered. 

At California College Bound High School, we believe that diversity is our strength. Our student body comes from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, and we celebrate the unique perspectives and talents that each student brings to our community. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment where every student feels valued and supported.

Free Money For students who are pursuing an Occupational or Technical Program

The Cal Grant C program provides FREE MONEY to students pursuing an occupational or technical program. Students must apply for FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application to apply. No GPA requirement.

Are you interested in pursuing an occupational or technical program that could bring you closer to your dream job? The California Student Aid Commission provides State financial aid for those who meet certain income, asset, and other financial aid standards to attend college. The Cal Grant C program provides FREE MONEY to students pursuing an occupational or technical program.