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College Corner
Financial aid for college can take on many different forms. Typically financial aid comes in three forms:

  • Grants:  Free money that does not have to be paid back
  • Work-Study:  Money earned through part time employment subsidized by the goverment
  • Loans:  Money that is loaned with accruing interest until graduation
FAFSA
Typcially the most common way to apply for federal financial aid is through the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) which is available starting January 1 and is due March 2. 

I have included some frequently asked questions regarding the FAFSA.

Who is eligible to receive Federal Student Aid?
• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
• Have a valid Social Security Number
• Register with Selective Service if you are male and 18 to 25 years of age (go to www.sss.gov for more information).
• Have a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) Certificate
• Not have a drug conviction for an offense that occurred while you were receiving federal student aid (such as grants, loans, or work-study)

What is Federal Student Aid?
• Federal student aid is financial assistance that’s available through the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Federal Student Aid.
• Federal student aid covers school expenses such as tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and transportation. This aid can also help you pay for a computer and dependent childcare expenses.
• There are three categories of federal student aid: grants, work-study and loans.
What’s the difference between grants, work-study and loans?
• Grants: Free money that does not have to be repaid
• Work-study: provides jobs to undergraduate and graduate students, allowing them to earn money to pay education expenses.
• Loans: Parent and student loans that MUST be paid back but typically charges lower interest rates than private banks.

When do I fill out the FAFSA?
• January 1, 2009

What is the deadline to submit the FAFSA?
• March 2, 2009

What documents do I need to fill out the FAFSA?
• Social Security Number
• Driver’s License (if any)
• Parents’ 2008 W-2 form and other records of money earned
• Parents’ 2008 Income Tax Return
• Parents’ Untaxed Income Records
• (Social Security, Welfare, Veteran Benefits)
• Parents’ Current Bank Statements
• Parents’ Current Business/Mortgage/Stock Records
• Alien Registration or Permanent Resident Card (Non-US Citizens)

Where do I go to fill out the FAFSA?
www.fafsa.ed.gov



CAL GRANTS

Cal Grant awards are California state funded monetary grants given to students to help pay for college expenses. The awards do not have to be paid back.  These grants only apply to  California public schools and universities  (No private schools or out of state schools)


How to apply for a Cal Grant

Step 1:

  •  Complete and submit the online Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) the FAFSA form is a federal form that must be filed by any student who wants to be considered for college financial aid. For a Cal Grant, the FAFSA must be completed and filed with the federal processor by March 2 of each year. Get a federal personal identification number, or PIN, to electronically sign the FAFSA on the Web. If you’re a dependent student, your parents can also get a PIN to e-sign your FAFSA.

  • You can also download a PDF version of the FAFSA which you will need to mail for processing. Or call toll free 800.433.3243 to have a paper FAFSA sent to you. If you’ll be mailing the FAFSA or the Cal Grant GPA Verification Form, be sure to make a copy for your records and obtain a Certificate of Mailing ($1.05 in addition to postage) from the Post Office so that you can verify the date you mailed your forms.

Step Two:

  • Obtain a Cal Grant GPA Verification Form, get it certified by a school official and mail it yourself or if you submit it to Ms. Reyes by February 19, she can submit it for you electronically. You can get this form from Ms. Reyes in the College/Career Center. 
More information on the CAL Grant if available at the following website:
http://www.csac.ca.gov/default.asp


CSS Profile
The CSS Profile is a service offerred by the College Board.  Member colleges, universities, graduate and professional schools, and scholarship programs use the information collected on the CSS PROFILE to help them award nonfederal student aid funds.

Typcially the CSS Profile is used by private and out of state colleges and univerities.  Check the link below for a complete list of participating schools that utilize the CSS Profile and more information about the CSS Profile itself:

https://profileonline.collegeboard.com/prf/index.jsp

**NOTE: There is a fee to register for the CSS Profile as well as a fee for sending your CSS Profile to individual schools**