El Dorado

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the CA Dream Act Application (CADAA) are FREE applications that can grant you thousands of dollars in financial aid to be used for your college education and/or career & technical training beyond high school. In addition, students planning to attend a local community college will qualify for TWO FREE YEARS OF TUITION by completing the FAFSA or CADAA!

 

 

Which Application Do I Apply to?

Apply for the FAFSA If:

• You are a U.S. Citizen or an eligible noncitizen;
• You have a valid Social Security number (with the exception of students from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau);
• You plan to be enrolled in a degree or certificate program at a college or career school (trade/vocational)

Apply for CADAA If:

• Are Undocumented
• Have a valid or expired DACA status
• Are a U Visa holder
• Have Temporary protected Status (TPS)
• Meet the non-resident exemption requirements under AB 540
• You plan to be enrolled in a degree or certificate program at a college or career school (trade/vocational) in the state of California.

 

 

Getting Started

Apply for FAFSA starting October 1st. Students will apply for the 2022-2023 FAFSA.
Step1: Utilize the FAFSA Checklist
Step 2: Create an FSA ID for you and one parent at fsaid.gov (this should be done at least a week prior to applying for FAFSA)
Step 3: Complete your FAFSA Application
Subscribe to the Federal Student Aid Youtube channel for helpful videos/tutorials.

 

Step 1: Visit the CADAA Website for application steps. This application is only for undocumented students or students without a Social Security Number.

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.