• FINANCIAL AID

     

    **Financial Aid Night Informational Night & Workshops

    Hear more about the upcoming changes to the FAFSA application, how to complete the FAFSA and CADAA applications, Q &A.  In the workshop portion of the evening, you will be able to work on the applications and get help from Sierra College financial aid experts.  

    Granite Bay High School, Library

    January 24, 2024

    6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

    REGISTER HERE for the Granite Bay Session

    OTHER LOCATIONS:

    West Park High School,  February 1, 2024,  5:30-7:30 PM  

    Roseville High School, February 13, 2024, 6-8 PM 

     

     

     

    Financial Aid Glossary

     

    The 2024-25 FAFSA Application will open in December 2023 (Date TBD).  You can create a FAFSA account now at https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch - just note you will not be able to start the application until it opens some time in December 2023.

     

     

     

    AFTER YOU SUBMIT YOUR FAFSA/CADAA

    Student Aid Report (SAR) - FAFSA 

    YouTube Video:  How to Interpret your Financial Aid Result

    What is Financial Aid? 

    Financial Aid is money that students receive to succeed in college, and that may look like grants, scholarships, loans, or work-study. This also includes the Two Years Free grant for California students attending Community College.  Financial Aid is designed to supplement the amount you and your family contribute.  There are four basic types of financial aid and they start with the FAFSA, California Dream Act Application, or CSS Profile.   

    1. Grants: awarded based on need; you do not have to repay a grant.
    2. Scholarships: awarded on special ability, academic achievement, religious affiliation, ethnic background, special interest, or random drawing; you do not have to repay a scholarship.
    3. Work Study: a federal program offering part-time jobs both on and off campus.  You don’t repay work-study funds because you’re trading work for financial aid.
    4. Education Loans: funds borrowed from a financial institution or the federal government.  You must repay educational loans, usually with interest.

    Free money includes:

    • Grants
    • Fee Waivers
    • Scholarships
    • Work-Study Programs

    Money you need to pay back includes:

    • Loans - Subsidized and unsubsidized

    *Subsidized:  Government pays interest while the student is in college

    *Unsubsidized: Student is responsible for the cost of interest while in school

     What do I need to do to apply for financial aid?

    • You must submit a 2023-24 FAFSA or 2023-24 California Dream Act Application (High School Seniors)

    Which application do I complete, FAFSA or the California Dream Act?

    • Complete FAFSA if you identify with one of the following
      • US Citizen
      • Students in mix-status homes: Meaning the student is a US Citizen and parents are undocumented
      • U.S. permanent resident, with a Permanent Resident Card (formerly known as an Alien Registration Receipt Card or "Green Card")
      • Conditional permanent resident (I-551C)
      • Other eligible noncitizens with an Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) from the Department of Homeland Security showing any one of the following designations: "Refugee," "Asylum Granted," "Indefinite Parole," "Humanitarian Parole," or "Cuban-Haitian Entrant."
      • A citizen of the Republic of Palau (PW), the Republic of the Marshall Islands (MH), or the Federated States of Micronesia (FM)
    • Complete the California Dream Act if you identify with one of the following
      • Undocumented students
      • DACAmented students
      • U visa holders
      • TPS holders

    Be sure, no matter which application you use, USE YOUR OWN PERSONAL EMAIL ADDRESS.  NOT YOUR SCHOOL EMAIL

     Where do I apply?

     Step-by-step videos made by Sierra College Financial Aid

     

    What is a Pell Grant? Watch this video for a quick overview

    Link: 2022-23 Cal Grant A, B & C Breakdown - Deadline to submit financial aid application is March 2nd to be considered for a Cal Grant

    Link: Financial Aid Programs through CSAC (California State Aid Commission)

    Link: Students who are part of the Foster Care System

    PLEASE NOTE:  Some colleges require you to complete your financial aid application prior to a specific deadline to be considered for scholarships and financial aid at their institution.  Check your school´s financial aid website for deadlines and information.  

    Which parent do I use when completing my FAFSA?

    Dependent students must report their parents’ information, as well as their own, on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form

    who's my parent

     

    FAFSA

    FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.  You can file a FAFSA starting in October of your senior year.  This establishes eligibility for grants and loans from the federal and state governments, such as Cal-Grants.  Eligibility for this money is based primarily on parents’ income from two years prior to the student’s freshman year in college (i.e., For Fall 2023 college attendance, 2021 tax information is needed to fill out the FAFSA).

    How to Get Started with the FAFSA

    1. Create a FSA ID
    • The FSA ID gives you access to Federal Student Aid’s online systems and can serve as your legal signature. Only create a FSA ID using your own personal information and for your own exclusive use.  You are not authorized to create a FSA ID on behalf of someone else, including a family member.  Save your FSA ID for next year’s application submission!!!
    1. Complete the FAFSA Application
    • What you need to file.

    If you are a U.S. citizen and dependent student:

    -Your Social Security Card
    -Your driver’s license (if any)
    -Your 2021 W-2 forms
    -Your 2021 Federal Income Tax Return
    -Your 2021 untaxed income records
    -Your current bank statements
    -Your parent's 2021 Federal Income Tax Return
    -Your parents’ 2021 W-2 forms
    -Your parents’ bank statements
    -Your parents’ untaxed income records
    -Your parents’ current business and investment records

    California Dream Act Application (CADA)

    The California Dream Act Application allows students interested in attending eligible California Colleges, Universities and Career Education Programs to apply for state financial aid.

    California Dream Act Application

    CADA Questions & Answers

    CSS Profile (financial aid for some Private Colleges)

    CSS Profile Website - check if your college utilizes the CSS Profile

    The CSS PROFILE form is administered by the College Scholarship Service (CSS), the financial aid division of the College Board. The CSS PROFILE is required by many private colleges and universities to determine your eligibility for non-government financial aid, such as the institution's own grants, loans and scholarships.

    If your Private School is not listed on the CSS Profile as a member school, it more than likely will have its own need-based methodology that is separate from the FAFSA and CSS Profile.  Contact the private colleges in your senior year for this information.

    COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID AFTER YOU APPLY

    SENIORS:  EMERGENCY AID APPEAL INFORMATION

    Due to the current situation and getting ready to embark on college, you may be rethinking your financial aid situation. 

    Swift Student is a resource with information regarding requesting a change to your financial aid situation.  It is a free resource with a lot of answers to questions you may have, as well as helping you appeal your financial aid package.

    Financial Aid Appeals

    How to Appeal For Financial Aid - Tip Sheet

    COST OF COLLEGE

    Direct Costs – tuition, fees, campus housing

    Indirect Costs – books, supplies, room & board, personal expenses, transportation

    Scholarships

    Where do I find Scholarships?

    • Naviance
    • College & Career Center and the College & Career Center Website
    • RJUHSD Local Scholarship Program Feb. 1-28
    • Organizations your family is connected to – Local businesses, clubs, unions, banks, churches, parents place of employment.
    • Check your intended college’s website under financial aid/scholarships.
    • Online searches – be sure they are FREE. Here a few…
    1. Financial Aid on the Web: finaid.org
    2. Salle Mae Scholarships: https://www.salliemae.com/college-planning/college-scholarships/
    3. College Board: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/pay-for-college/grants-scholarships
    4. College Board Opportunity Scholarships: https://opportunity.collegeboard.org/
    5. Going Merry: https://www.goingmerry.com/
    6. Wired Scholar: wiredscholar.com
    7. com: www.gocollege.com
    8. Search for Scholarships: Scholarships360.org
    9. Student Aid: Studentaid.gov
    • RJUHSD Local Scholarship Program available from February 1 – 28th. Applications will be available 2/1/2023.  A list of previous scholarships is available to review at the College & Career Center in December.

    Helpful Links and Websites for financial aid

    Information on Cal Grants and California Financial Aid Programs: CSAC Website

    Federal Student Aid at a Glance

    Creating a FSA ID

    Senior Financial Aid Checklist

    College Board High School Checklist (Freshman-Senior years)

    Sierra College Financial Aid Workshops

    CSS Profile Website  - Use your same user name and password as you use to log into Collegeboard.org.  

    FAFSA Website - Use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form to apply for financial aid (grants, work-study, and loans) to pay for college or career school.