Financial Aid & Scholarships

Financial Aid is the term used for grants, scholarships, loans, work study, and other forms of monetary assistance.  The following steps need to be completed before applying for financial aid:

1.  Find out how much your education will cost.

2.  Investigate sources of financial aid and application procedures. Check on www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov.

3. Continue saving. You are expected to contribute to your college costs ($700-1200 a year).

4. Register for the Selective Service when you turn 18 (males only).

5. Obtain a Social Security Number if you do not have one.

6. Check the Career & College Center for announcements of individual scholarship programs, eligibility requirements, and application  forms.

7.  Request financial aid information and application supplement forms from each college when you write for admission information or application forms.

8.  File a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The FAFSA is required by most college financial aid offices and by many scholarships including the California Student Aid commission programs (Cal Grants A, B, and C).

Final Steps:

1. Re-check all deadlines for your financial aid applications early in January.

2.  Submit the FAFSA online between January 1 and March 2.

3. File early—don’t wait until the last minute.

Note:    Some private and out-of-state colleges and universities may require a PROFILE (www.collegeboard.com/profile) or other supplemental forms in addition to the FAFSA.