El Dorado

Use this helpful guide to walk you through the FAFSA

The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is a federal form for financial aid that is accepted by most schools. The information you provide will be used to figure the amount your family can afford to contribute toward your education (also known as your EFC: estimated family contribution).

The FAFSA for college attendance beginning Fall of 2021 can be filed beginning on October 1, 2021, using your 2020 tax year information. If your financial or living situation has significantly changed since 2020, you will still be required to use your 2020 information, then follow up with a call to each of your colleges' financial aid offices to explain your situation. You will be asked for documentation.

Fill out the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

Families wanting to get a preliminary EFC (Estimated Family Contribution) before they are eligible to fill out the FAFSA can use the FAFSA4caster.

Your Cal Grant GPA will be uploaded to the California Student Aid Commission during fall semester of Senior year. This gpa is calculated differently than most gpa's you've seen, but should be close to what you normally know as your cumulative gpa. There is nothing you need to do, no paperwork to fill out.

What you DO need to do is follow up! It is important for you monitor your Cal Grant status and make sure your GPA actually made it all the way into the state's database. Remember, a missed deadline is a missed deadline, even if it wasn't your fault. After you file your FAFSA. visit webgrants4students to verify your status - you'll need to create a profile. If anything you see (or don't see) worries you, ask Mrs. Yurkovic or your Counselor to help you figure it out.

• FAFSA Basics

• FAFSA Opens October 1st for college enrollment next Fall.

• Cal Grant info (EDHS electronically uploads GPA's for all Seniors in the fall without use of a paper form.
• Webgrants for Students - Students should create an account & check that their GPA came through.

• FAFSA early estimate of Federal Aid eligibility
• California Dream Act website
• California Dream Act Information - great info for DACA & AB540 students
• U.S. Department of Education: College Affordability and Transparency Center
• U.S. Department of Education: Financial Aid Toolkit

• CSS Profile - a few colleges require this financial aid application, in addition to the FAFSA. (Your college will let you know.)