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FAFSA Tutorial

Saddleback Community College has many helpful tools when it comes to Financial Aid and filling out the FAFSA/Dream Act, including this helpful video. 

 
For more helpful tutorials about Finanical Aid, please click here. 
 
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Financial Aid

SCHS would like to encourage every senior student to complete the online FAFSA or Dream Act. SCHS will submit a verified Cal Grant GPA for you. To be considered for a Cal Grant you must complete the FAFSA or CADAA.

Fafsa pictureFinancial Aid help at Saddleback

 

TYPES OF FINANCIAL AID

Colleges and Universities will expect students and their families to contribute toward the expense of college, however, most college students utilize some form of financial aid to close the gap between what their families can afford, and the actual cost of college. 
 
General Types of Financial Aid:
 
Federal Aid:  Aid that comes from the U.S. government.  Usually distributed through the college
 
Gift Aid:  Financial aid that does not need to be paid back:  Grants (typically based on financial need), Scholarships (typically based on achievement, talent, or need.
 
Loans:  Funds that must be paid back later, with interest.  Federally-guaranteed loans can be from a private lender (e.g. bank) or from the federal government (administered by the college).  Private loans are offered by private lenders with terms set by the lender, not the government.
 
Private Aid:  Financial aid from non-government sources.
 
 

FILLING OUT THE FAFSA

  • FAFSA Applications for the following school year begin October 1st. Complete the FREE online application at: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa NOTE: If you are being asked to pay money to submit the application, you are on the wrong site! The FAFSA is always free to submit. 
  • Print the paper FAFSA worksheet, available at: Paper FAFSA 22-23.pdf (PDF)
  • Gather the necessary paperwork for both the parent and the student. 
  • Once you complete the paper website, you need to enter your data online at: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa  Be sure you are filing for the FAFSA for the correct school year!    NOTE:  Save your information often during the process so you won’t lose it if your computer connection is lost.
  • Submit your completed FAFSA form no later than March 1st in order to qualify for Cal Grant (February for some colleges and/or scholarships). The Saddleback Promise Program requires the FAFSA to be filed by May 1, 2023. The Federal deadline is June 30th of the following year. You MUST complete the FAFSA if you wish to be considered for Federal loans. 
  • For helpful resources, visit: Student Aid FAFSA
  • Watch a tutorial:     FAFSA Simplification
 

CAL GRANT - GPA SUBMISSION

Cal Grants can be used at any UC, CSU, California Community College, almost all independent colleges, and many career and technical schools in California. SCHS will submit all 12th grade GPAs to California Student Aid Commission by October 1st. 
 
Set up an account at Webgrants 4 Students to monitor the progress of your application. For additional resources, visit: Grant Info Login
 
Note: In order to be considered for a Cal Grant, you must complete your FAFSA by March 1, 2023: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
 
Assembly Bill 2160 was signed into law in September 2014 mandating that all public schools electronically submit GPAs for grade twelve students to the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC).  If you wish to opt-out from this GPA submission, you must complete the "Opt Out Form' and return to the SCHS Registrar by September 23, 2022.  The form will be available in the SCHS Guidance Office. 

LOOKING FOR LOCAL SCHOLARSHIPS?

Visit our Scholarship page for a comprehensive list of local and national scholarships. 
 
FINANCIAL AID WORKSHOPS AVAILABLE AT CASH 4 COLLEGE
 

CSS/FINANCIAL AID PROFILE

The fast, easy, convenient secure way to apply for financial aid.  The CSS Financial Aid Profile is a national, not-for-profit membership association whose mission is to connect students to college success and opportunity. Many of the member colleges, universities, graduate and professional schools, and scholarship programs use the information collected on PROFILE to help them award nonfederal student aid funds.
 
For more information regarding the CSS profile please visit: Collegeboard.org
 

DREAM ACT

For information regarding the California Dream Act visit California Dream Act FAQ's.pdf (PDF)
 
 
For information in Spanish, click here : Información en español oprima aqui
 
Dream Act Service Incentive
 

ON THE WEB

  • Studentaid
  • http://www.finaid.org/
  • LenEDU's Video Series on Scholarships and Financial Aid made simple
  • Avoid Simple FAFSA Mistakes... Avoid these fafsa mistakes
  • Cal Grants: This student-focused Web site, sponsored by the California Student Aid Commission, provides information on all Cal Grants in one location
  • EdFund's Web site presents information on planning and paying for college, federal loans, tools for financial literacy and much more.
  • Fast Web  Need Money for College?  Visit FastWeb to search for over 1.3 million scholarships!
  • Financial Aid Affordability Guide