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Free Application for Federal Student Aid

FAFSA video - to view click below!
Federal Student Aid PSA

To apply for a Cal Grant, you must complete and submit two forms: the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Cal Grant GPA Verification Form between January 1 and March 2* of the year immediately before the fall term in which you would like to use your Cal Grant.

The FAFSA is also the application used to apply for financial aid from the federal government, including federal Pell Grants, as well as financial aid from colleges. You can submit the FAFSA online,or complete the PDF version of the FAFSA and mail it, or complete the paper FAFSA, available by calling toll free 800.433.3243. Get a federal personal identification number, or PIN, ahead of time to electronically sign the online FAFSA. If you're a dependent student, your parents can also get a PIN to e-sign your FAFSA.

If you'll be mailing the FAFSA or the Cal Grant GPA Verification Form, be sure to get a Certificate of Mailing from the Post Office ($1.15 plus postage) as evidence you met the Cal Grant March 2* application deadline. (The FAFSA must be mailed to the federal processor and the Cal Grant GPA Verification Form must be mailed to the California Student Aid Commission.)

If you or your parents are in a Registered Domestic Partnership at the time you submitted your FAFSA, you'll need to complete the G-37: Cal Grant Registered Domestic Partner Reporting Form (284kb) to be considered for a Cal Grant.

Need help completing the FAFSA or other forms? See your high school counselor or college financial aid administrator, or attend a free California Cash for College workshop.

The California Dream Act

Steps to College 2013 video - to view click below!
Steps to College 2013

Dream Act video - to view click below!
California Dream Act Application PSA

Authored by Assembly Member Gil Cedillo (Los Angeles), became law through the passage of two Assembly Bills, AB 130 and AB 131.

AB 130 allows students who meet AB 540 criteria (California Education Code 68130.5(a)) to apply for and receive non-state funded scholarships for public colleges and universities.

AB 131 allows students who meet AB 540 criteria to apply for and receive state-funded financial aid such as institutional grants, community college fee waivers, Cal Grant and Chafee Grant.

California Dream Act Video Interviews on UNIVISION

California Dream Act Training Webinar

Presented by the California Student Aid Commission. Watch the newest California Dream Act Training Videos.You can download the five training video presentations here: Dream Act Training Webinar!

2013-14 Dream Act Application Documents

Need Cash for College?
You Could Get a Cal Grant.

Cal Grants are one of the smartest ways to get cash for college. For starters, it's money you don't have to pay back. If you're a graduating high school senior or recent graduate, meet academic, financial and eligibility requirements and submit two forms by the Cal Grant deadline, you may receive a Cal Grant!

What is the Cal Grant deadline?

You must apply by March 2 to maximize your opportunity to receive an award.

If you miss the March 2 Cal Grant deadline AND you plan to attend a community college in the fall, you have until September 2 to apply. However, the number of Cal Grant awards is limited.

How Much Money Are We Talking About?

With a Cal Grant you can get up to $12,192 a year to pay for college expenses at any qualifying California college, university or career or technical school in California. Depending on which Cal Grant you get, the money can be used for tuition, room and board, even books and pencils. The best part is, it's yours to keep and you don't have to pay it back.

Here's How to Apply.

Submit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) between January 1 and September 2 and submit a verified Cal Grant GPA anytime between November and the September 2 deadline. If you meet the income, eligibility, and GPA requirements, the cash is yours. The best part is, you can fill out the FAFSA online.

To submit a verified Cal Grant GPA, first check with your school to see if they will do it for you. If not, you can go online and download a GPA Verification form, fill out the student section and take it to your school.

State Campaigns

Upcoming Events

Fox Deportes Presents El Mundo Es Tuyo Through Education. Learn How to Achieve a College Education Saturday, May 11, 2013, ... more!

On June 25, 2013, the Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund (APIASF) will host its annual Higher Education Summit around the theme, Moving Forward: Engaging the Changing Face of America, ... more!

Important News

The Shawn Carter (Jay-Z) Scholarship Fund offers scholarship opportunities to any under-served student across the United States

Scholarship Notification Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation

APPLICATION DEADLINE is May 31, 2013
Eligibility Requirements Qualified applicants must be a high school senior, college student, and/or between the ages of 18-25, pursuing studies at a vocational or trade school. All applicants must be a US Citizen and complete the on-line application no later than the published deadline date, which is May 31, 2013. The Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation is unique in that it offers scholarships to single mothers, children who attend alternative schools, students who have earned a GED, students with grade point averages of 2.0 and students who have previously been incarcerated, etc. but desire a higher educational opportunity. This group is generally not the recipients of college scholarships and is typically ignored by the Board of Education. The Shawn Carter Foundation offers scholarship opportunities to any under-served student across the United States who desires a higher education. One of the key questions asked by the Foundation when students apply for a scholarship is: What are your plans to give back to the community? CLICK HERE TO APPLY TODAY!!! This scholarship is open to the public. Please apply before the deadline May 31, 2013.

New Student Loan Repayment Option to Help Recent Graduates
If you are a recent college graduate a new government loan repayment plan may help you manage your monthly Direct Student Loan payments. The Obama Administration has announced the "Pay as you Earn" plan. To learn more details and to see if you quality, click here: studentaid.gov/payasyouearn
CSAC Agenda & Meetings
- ...view 2013 CSAC Calendar for more
Accessibility

The California Student Aid Commission is in the process of modifying its website to satisfy all Priority 1 and 2 guidelines, for "AA" compliance with the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0. In addition, the California Student Aid Commission website will satisfy Section 508, Subpart B, Subsection 1194.22, Guidelines A-P of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as revised in 1998. The State of California is strongly committed to improved accessibility for all Californians.

The State of California accepts no responsibility for the content or accessibility of the external websites or external documents linked to on this website.