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Financial Aid

 

 

What is the FAFSA?? 

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a form completed by current and prospective college students in the

United States to determine their eligibility for student financial aid. All students, regardless of if they think they will qualify for aid or not, should apply. Your college's financial aid office will need that information to match you with any possible institutional scholarships or grants.

 

  • Before you begin filling out the FAFSA, you and your parents will both need an FSA ID. 

  • Be sure you have all documents needed before beginning the applicaiton process.

  • If you get stuck filling out the application, this step by step guide may help.

California Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile

The CSS Profile allows students to apply for non federal financial aid at specific institutions. Not all colleges and universities use the CSS Profile, find a list of those that do here and be sure to apply if yours is one of them. 

Did you know...

  • In 2019-20, 82 percent of all CSU students (391,000+) received over $4.5 billion in total financial assistance.

  • 59 percent of all undergraduates have the full cost of tuition covered by grants, scholarships or waivers.

  • More than half (54 percent) of CSU baccalaureate recipients graduated with zero education loan debt.

  • Of the 46 percent who graduated with debt, the average loan debt of $18,173 is well below the national average of $28,950.

For more information about CSU costs, financial aid and fee waivers visit the CSU Paying for College site.

Community College Tuition Grants-  Be sure to check out the community colleges for FREE tuition through a variety of grants. Here are some examples, but if you do not see your school listed here, be sure to check their website:

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- CALIFORNIA COLLEGE PROMISE GRANT - Waives enrollment fees for eligible students

- MERRITT PROMISE - Free tuition for full-time student's enrolled in their first year of college. 

- College of Alameda COLLEGE PROMISE - free tuition for a year, book stipends, priority registration, and counseling for eligible students. 

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Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) - If you are looking at going out of state.

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The WUE is an agreement between the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education's (WICHE) 16 member states and territories, through which over 160 participating public colleges and universities provide steep nonresident tuition savings for Western students. Through the agreement, eligible students will have access to undergraduate programs outside their home state, and pay no more than 150% of that schools's resident tuition rate. Note that full non resident tuition rates may be over 300% resident rates. For more info, visit the WICHE site HERE. 

Important Financial Aid Websites

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Additional Resources

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Scholarships

  • Scholarships are free money for college that are usually based on an area of study or merit.

    • Merit scholarships can be based on things such as good grades, high test scores, athletics, musical or drama talents, community service, and financial need. 

    • You need to do your research!  You are not going to find free money lying around. You have to look for it!

 

Some tips

  • Each scholarship will list "Eligibility Requirements."  Read these to be sure  you qualify.

  • Check dates for "Deadline for submission."  You cannot submit a scholarship application late - period!

  • Most scholarships will require at least one letter of recommendation.  

  • Most scholarship applications are online but there are still some that only accept paper applications. Please check in with Ms. Gwen in the College and Career Center for these applications.   

  • Do your own research before spending money!

    •  Most scholarship information is available for free. Check your school website, the internet or your local library. No scholarship is guaranteed.

    • Beware of companies that guarantee a scholarship. Scholarships should come with a disclaimer, not a guarantee

    •  Never give your credit card information, bank account information or Social Security number to hold a scholarship or grant. 

  • Apply for as many scholarships as you can.  There is no limit to how many you may receive.

  • Reputable companies neither guarantee scholarships nor use aggressive tactics.

    • Watch out for companies that make generous scholarship promises, charge you money to apply for and/or receive a scholarship, ask you to send money first, require you send a seminar or request your credit card/bank account number. 

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