Financial Aid (FAFSA)
Financial Aid
FAFSA or DREAM Act
SEINORS - COMPLETE THE 2025-2026 APPLICATION (THIS IS THE YEAR YOU WILL BE IN COLLEGE/TRADE SCHOOL)
Which Financial Aid Form would you complete?
Difference between the FAFSA or Dream Act.
1. Financial Aid Applying Info: Understanding the FAFSA
2. Understanding and Preparing FAFSA form Contributors: Who is a Contributor?
3. Create an FSA ID (who): Contributor
4. Cal Grant Priority Deadline: March 2, 2025
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What is FAFSA? FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This form is used to determine the amount of money a family is expected to contribute to the price of attending a postsecondary institution. The results of the FAFSA are used in determining student grants, work study, and loan amounts.
Applying for financial aid is FREE! Simply complete the FAFSA. (To qualify for the Cal Grant, the student's GPA must be submitted. FHS does this automatically for all seniors, unless requested not to).
December 1, 2024 - FAFSA and Dream Act OPENS
Who submits a FAFSA? Current 12th grade student seeking to attend a 2 or 4 year college or technical /vocational school.
1. Submit the FREE Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): www.fafsa.gov
2. Before you begin your FAFSA get a Federal "ID" number at: FSA ID
Please note: Student and one parent/court ordered legal guardian need an FSA ID to sign the FAFSA application. Please use the name that is on your SSN Card to make your FSA ID.
3. The FAFSA is due by March 2, 2025.
Some private or out-of-state colleges may have an earlier deadline for the FAFSA.
Chafee Grants for Foster Youth: CHAFEE Grant Application
You must complete BOTH the CHAFEE and FAFSA to be considered for the grant.
1. Submit your CHAFEE application
2. Submit your FAFSA application
If you are or were in foster care for at least one day, between the ages of 16 and 18 as a dependent or ward of the court and have financial need, you may qualify for up to $5,000 a year for career and technical training or college. Grant money does not have to be paid back. You may also be able to use your grant to help pay for child care, transportation and rent while you’re in school. You can use your Chafee Grant at any eligible California college or university or career or technical school, as well as schools in other states.
Undocumented Students
AB540 Dream Act Application: Dream Act Application Website
Cal Dream Act AB 130 allows students who meet AB 540 criteria CA Code 68130.5(a) to apply for and receive non-state funded scholarships for public colleges and universities. AB 540 was passed in 2001 to allow non-resident students in California to pay the lower resident fees to California's public colleges and universities.
After you submit your FAFSA you must wait 7-10 days to create your WebGrants 4 students account.
After filing your FAFSA, make sure to create an account at WebGrants account link (which is a part of the Student Aid Commission). Through this account you can check the status of your FAFSA, which includes your CalGrant, Chafee Grant, Middle Class Scholarship, and student loan offerings. This is also the site where you can verify that your GPA information (that has already been sent from FHS) has been confirmed by FAFSA.
Things to know about Financial Aid:
Scholarships/Grants: This is "free money"!!! This means it never needs to be paid back. It is given to the student based on specific criteria (i.e., financial need, good grades, special talents, community service, etc).
Loans: This "borrowed money." This means that PAY BACK all the money you borrowed, PLUS MORE (because of interest)! Always try to avoid student loans (unless it is necessary).
Work-study/student employment programs: This allows you to earn money for college in an on campus/off campus job.
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