FAFSA Completion Resources to Create a College-Going Culture

Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the most important thing a student can do to get money for college. Most students receive some type of financial aid, such as grants, work-study funds, federal student loans, and certain state-based aid. It’s free to fill out and could be a requirement for some schools and private scholarships. It’s for everyone! And it’s first-come, first-served so finish your FAFSA ASAP.

Another important acronym is the CADAA, which stands for the California Dream Act application. This allows undocumented students, DACA recipients (valid or expired), U Visa holders and students under Temporary Protected Status (TPS), who qualify for a non-resident exemption under Assembly Bill 540, Senate Bill 2000, and Senate Bill 68, to receive certain types of financial aid such as: private scholarships funded through public universities, state administered financial aid, university grants, community college fee waivers, and Cal Grants. In addition, the California Dream Act, allows eligible students to pay in-state tuition at any public college in California. 

“Schools that have high FAFSA/CADAA completion rates have created a school culture where the entire staff collectively comes together to create a goal, have conversations about financial aid in their classes, and embed this work in their curriculum. It’s a commitment to college-going access and ensuring every student thrives,” said San Diego County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Paul Gothold. “Every student deserves to graduate high school with options and that includes completing a four-year degree.”

FAFSA Applications Open Oct. 1 

1. Don’t wait! Create a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID. The number assigned is used in place of a social security number and represents an electronic signature which is needed to submit the FAFSA/CADAA.
2. Gather your documents.
3. Sign and submit your FAFSA by March 2, 2023, for federal aid and Cal Grants

State Requirements for Local Educational Agencies

California Assembly Bill 469 requires a school district, county office of education, or charter school to ensure that a 12th-grade student who has not opted out, as specified, completes and submits a FAFSA or the CADAA.

Tips and Tools from US Department of Education

• Follow @FAFSA on Twitter
• 7 Things You Need Before Filling Out the FAFSA Form
• 8 Steps to Completing the FAFSA Form
• 15 Myths We’re Busting About the FAFSA Process

Professional Learning for Educators

Fall Frenzy Learning Series 

Fall Frenzy is a new professional learning series for school counselors with tools and resources from SDCOE and community partners for the month of October. It is designed as a one-stop shop with workshops, webinars, and useful forms on college and career readiness topics to support counselors as they help students through this process. It includes resources for our K-8 school counselors because we know that the earlier we begin conversations about college and career, the more prepared our students will be when they get to high school.

On-Demand Learning to Increase FAFSA Completions

Educators and counselors can find videos to watch and learn on-demand that feature tools, resources, and best practices for school counselors and other educators to support FAFSA completion and increase the number of students who complete the FAFSA and CADAA.