FINANCIAL AID
Financial aid is the general term used to describe money that is given or lent to students to help finance their college education. There are several forms of financial aid including:
Applying for Financial Aid
Students who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents or eligible non-citizens must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) during their senior year. The application is open from October 1st- June 30th but must be submitted by March 2nd to receive the maximum student aid possible and qualify for the Cal-Grant. California students who are undocumented may apply for the California Dream Act(CADAA).
Southwest High School counselors, IVC counselors, and outreach staff work with seniors on FAFSA/CADAA applications in their government and economics classes as well as through workshops and Saturday school events. Please contact your school counselor should you have any questions regarding FAFSA or the California Dream Act.
FAFSA vs Dream Act: What's the difference?
The California Dream Act allows undocumented students, DACA recipients (valid or expired), U Visa holders and students under Temporary Protected Status (TPS), who qualify for a non-resident exemption under Assembly Bill 540 (AB 540), Senate Bill 2000 (SB 2000) and Senate Bill 68 (SB 68), to receive certain types of financial aid such as: private scholarships funded through public universities, state administered financial aid, university grants, community college fee waivers, and Cal Grants. In addition, the California Dream Act, allows eligible students to pay in-state tuition at any public college in California.
Who can apply for the California Dream Act?
Students who live in California and meet the eligibility requirements for a non-resident exemption, as well as students who have a U Visa or TPS status, can use the California Dream Act application (CADAA). Similarly, students without Social Security Numbers or students who have lost DACA status (or never applied for DACA), may still be eligible. The full language of the law and eligibility requirements is stated in CA Education Code 68130.5.
What is the difference between the FAFSA and the California Dream Act application?
Students should only complete one of the applications (not both), according to the citizenship requirements below:
1. You are eligible to complete the FAFSA at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsstudentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa if you are a: • U.S Citizen • Permanent Resident • Eligible non-citizen • T Visa holder
2. You are eligible to complete the CADAA at https://dream.csac.ca.gov if you are: • Undocumented • Have a valid or expired DACA • U Visa holders • Have Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
- Grants (Financial aid that's typically based on need and doesn't typically have to be repaid)
- In California, eligible students may receive thestate sponsored Cal Grant.
- Students with a GPA of 3.0 and above (unweighted, grades 9-11) may be considered for Cal Grant A
- Maximum awards for Cal Grant A: CSU - $5,742 // UC - $13,104// Private Non-Profit College - $9,358
- Maximum awards for Cal Grant A: CSU - $5,742 // UC - $13,104// Private Non-Profit College - $9,358
- Students with a GPA of 2.0-2.9 (unweighted, grades 9-11) Cal Grant B
- Students attending a trade/vocational school may be considered for Cal Grant C
- Parent income and assets are also taken into consideration when determining Cal Grant eligibility. See income and asset ceilings HERE
- Students with a GPA of 3.0 and above (unweighted, grades 9-11) may be considered for Cal Grant A
- In California, eligible students may receive thestate sponsored Cal Grant.
- Scholarships (Free money that is based on academic or other achievements, or on financial need, to help pay for school)
- Loans (Money you borrow to pay for college or career school; you must repay your loans and the interest that accrues)
- Work-Study Jobs (Part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses)
Applying for Financial Aid
Students who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents or eligible non-citizens must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) during their senior year. The application is open from October 1st- June 30th but must be submitted by March 2nd to receive the maximum student aid possible and qualify for the Cal-Grant. California students who are undocumented may apply for the California Dream Act(CADAA).
Southwest High School counselors, IVC counselors, and outreach staff work with seniors on FAFSA/CADAA applications in their government and economics classes as well as through workshops and Saturday school events. Please contact your school counselor should you have any questions regarding FAFSA or the California Dream Act.
FAFSA vs Dream Act: What's the difference?
The California Dream Act allows undocumented students, DACA recipients (valid or expired), U Visa holders and students under Temporary Protected Status (TPS), who qualify for a non-resident exemption under Assembly Bill 540 (AB 540), Senate Bill 2000 (SB 2000) and Senate Bill 68 (SB 68), to receive certain types of financial aid such as: private scholarships funded through public universities, state administered financial aid, university grants, community college fee waivers, and Cal Grants. In addition, the California Dream Act, allows eligible students to pay in-state tuition at any public college in California.
Who can apply for the California Dream Act?
Students who live in California and meet the eligibility requirements for a non-resident exemption, as well as students who have a U Visa or TPS status, can use the California Dream Act application (CADAA). Similarly, students without Social Security Numbers or students who have lost DACA status (or never applied for DACA), may still be eligible. The full language of the law and eligibility requirements is stated in CA Education Code 68130.5.
What is the difference between the FAFSA and the California Dream Act application?
Students should only complete one of the applications (not both), according to the citizenship requirements below:
1. You are eligible to complete the FAFSA at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsstudentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa if you are a: • U.S Citizen • Permanent Resident • Eligible non-citizen • T Visa holder
2. You are eligible to complete the CADAA at https://dream.csac.ca.gov if you are: • Undocumented • Have a valid or expired DACA • U Visa holders • Have Temporary Protected Status (TPS)