For the 2024-25 academic year, the FAFSA and the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) will open sometime in December 2023.  Once the applications are released, we will notify schools and students. In subsequent years, the applications will open on October 1.

December 2023: The FAFSA and California Dream Act Application (CADAA) open for the 2024-25 academic year.  Be sure to submit your application by the May 2, 2024 state priority deadline. Some colleges may have earlier deadlines for institutional aid, and we encourage students to check with their colleges to make sure they are meeting those deadlines.

May 2: For the 2024-25 academic year, the deadline for Cal Grant and Middle Class Scholarship has been extended to May 2, 2024. Students should complete their application before this date to be considered for Cal Grant and Middle Class Scholarship. In subsequent years, the deadline will revert to March 2.

September 3: If you’ll be attending a California Community College in 2024-25, your Cal Grant deadline is September 3, 2024 due to September 2 falling on the Labor Day holiday. In subsequent years, the deadline will be September 2.

October 1, 2025: The FAFSA and California Dream Act Application (CADAA) will open for the 2025-26 academic year.  The state priority deadline for the 2025-26 academic year will be March 3, 2026, due to March 2 falling on a weekend. The community college deadline will be September 2, 2026.

Keep in mind that your college may have earlier deadlines for its financial aid programs, so be sure to check with each college you’re considering. Also, deadlines for private scholarships may be earlier in the year.

Once you submit your financial aid application, there might be additional actions required of you from CSAC.  Please be sure that your email is up to date so that you can complete the actions in a timely manner.