1. STUDENT FINANCIAL AID APPLICATIONS ARE EARLIER, EASIER, FASTER.
Presentation points for a student audience…
Financial aid can go a long way in helping you make college or career education after high school affordable.
And applying for student financial aid is now earlier, easier and faster than ever.

2. Cal Grant
A state program that provides FREE money to California students for college or career education.
For those of you who aren’t familiar with the Cal Grant, this is a state-funded program that provides free money for California students who want to go to college or gain career education. Cal Grants never need to be repaid.
Depending on your financial situation, you may be eligible for thousands of dollars through a Cal Grant for up to four years, to help you pay for education or training after high school.

3. Cal Grant Supporting students with financial need who apply to:
University of California
California State University
Community College
Eligible career, technical and vocational schools
Eligible private non-profit and for-profit colleges
Cal Grants help students with financial need attend colleges or career, technical or vocational education after high school graduation or receiving a GED.
Cal Grants may be used at:
Any University of California campus
Any California State University
Any California Community College
Eligible private non-profit and for-profit colleges; and,
Eligible career, technical and vocational education schools
However, Cal Grants can only help support your education costs if you apply!

4. Two ways to apply Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
For students with a Social Security number
California Dream Act Application (CADAA)
For students without a Social Security number
or students issued a DACA Social Security number
*Not all students who don't have an SSN are eligible to do a CADAA
There are two ways to apply for student financial aid:
If you have a Social Security number, you can apply through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This form is often referred to as “FAFSA” for short.
If you do not have a Social Security number or if you have a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Social Security Number, you can apply through the California Dream Act Application, or the “CADAA.”
For Cal Grants, your high school will need to send the California Student Aid Commission your verified GPA. Check your webgrants4students.org account as soon as possible to make sure it was sent in by the March 2nd Cal Grants deadline.

5. FAFSA or CADAA + Verified GPA = Cal Grant
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
For students with a Social Security number
California Dream Act Application (CADAA)
For students without a Social Security number
or students issued a DACA Social Security number
To be eligible for a Cal Grant your high school or college campus must verify your GPA to the California Student Aid Commission by the March 2nd deadline. Open an account and track your GPA and state financial aid online at webgrants4students.org.
It’s worth your time!
*Not all students who don't have an SSN are eligible to do a CADAA
If you attend a public school or charter, your high school is required by law to electronically upload your GPA to the California Student Aid Commission. Most college campuses automatically send students GPAs to the commission. Check your webgrants4students.org account as soon as possible to make sure it was sent in by the March 2nd Cal Grants deadline. You may also download a paper GPA verification from csac.ca.gov and ask your campus to complete the form; it can then be mailed into the commission.

6. For 2018-19 Financial Aid Applicants
High school seniors and college students can complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) beginning on October 1, 2017.
Students and families should use 2016 income information in this process.
There are significant changes that make the application process work much better for students applying for Cal Grants in the school year.
First, high school seniors as well as college students can begin the FAFSA or CADAA application process early in the school year. You can complete your application beginning October 1.
Plus, when completing your application, you can use financial information based on income made in This means you and your family can use the income tax information you filed earlier this year to fill out the application.

7. Take these steps, it’s worth your time.
Complete your financial aid application
Apply for college
Check your
Submit your FAFSA or CADAA
› Beginning October 1, 2017
Receive an estimate of your eligibility for financial aid (State, federal, and campus aid; private scholarships)
› As early as November, 2017
Choose schools
and apply for admission
(Application fee waivers might be available)
› Dates on Campus Websites
Before you apply to colleges or career education, you will have important information about how much in Cal Grant awards may be available to support your education.
Keep in mind that, based on financial need, the cost of applying to colleges might be waived—so some application fees may be free.

8. Your college and career dreams are possible!
When you have information on your financial aid opportunities, you may find that you are able to attend schools and make your college and career dreams possible.
Getting started this fall can offer real possibilities for your future success.

9. Be on the fast track Get your ID number
Have a Social Security number? Get a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID (FSAID.ed.gov or call FIN-AID or )
No Social Security number? Get a California Dream Act ID (caldreamact.org)
Attend a free Cash for College workshop between October 1 and March 2 for help with your financial aid application (cash4college.org)
Students and parents are encouraged to attend together
Bring information on 2016 income and use the new Internal Revenue Service IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) within the FAFSA
Please know exactly how your mailing address appears on your tax returns
Open a Webgrants4students Account to see your state financial aid awards or make changes (webgrants4students.org)
You can be on the fast track today.
Begin by getting an application ID number.
If you have a Social Security number, you will want to get a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID.
If you do not have a Social Security number, you will get a California Dream Act ID when you file the CADAA.
Next, attend a FREE Cash for College workshop. These take place between October 1 and March 2. At the Cash for College workshop you will be able to work through your application process with the assistance of a counselor or volunteer. To get the most from the workshop:
Students and parents are encouraged to attend together
Bring information on 2015 income (filed with your 2016 taxes) and use the new Internal Revenue Service IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) within the FAFSA
Please know exactly how your mailing address appears on your tax returns
Finally, you can open a Webgrants4students Account to see your state financial aid awards or make changes (webgrants4students.org)

10. Start here: Cash for College Workshops
Attend between October 1 and March 2 for help with your financial aid application.
Cash for College at RHS is October 21st from 9am-12pm in both the Library and I-64
Cash4College.org
IT’S FREE!
We encourage you to attend a FREE Cash for College workshop. These take place between October 1 and March 2. At the Cash for College workshop you will be able to work through your application process with counselor assistance.
We recommend that you attend with a parent or guardian.
When you come to the Cash for College workshop you will want to make sure that you bring any tax forms filed earlier this year by you and your parents—bring your 2015 tax documents or, you can use the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) to electronically transfer your tax information into the FASFA. Whoever filed your taxes and made income last year will need to be in the workshop to use this tool, as it requires social security numbers, birthdates and other personal information.
To find information on upcoming dates, times and locations for Cash for College workshops download the student aid commission mobile app at mobilegallery.ca.gov or visit cash4college.org.

11. For more information
Visit csac.ca.gov or icanaffordcollege.org or call CA-GRANTS
CONNECT THROUGH
If you seek additional information about applying for financial aid, please visit the website for the California Student Aid Commission at csac.ca.gov or check out icanaffordcollege.org.
You can also connect with the California Student Aid Commission through any of these social media sites or download our digital magazine and smartphone app at fundyourfuture.org.

12. STUDENT FINANCIAL AID APPLICATIONS ARE EARLIER, EASIER, FASTER.
We hope you will take advantage of the opportunities presented by an earlier, easier and faster financial aid application process.
We wish you well throughout the exciting process of preparing for education beyond high school.