FAFSA - CADAA - Scholarships - Paying for College
HHS Class of 2021 - Get your $$ for College
Hello Patriots,
Many students and parents have questions about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or the California Dream Act. This is a resource page to help you. It includes guides related to best practices for completing the FAFSA/CADAA which opens October 1st!
Remember, the sooner you complete the FAFSA/CADAA, the more likely you are to receive grants & funding!
The FAFSA/CADAA is a graduation requirement for the class of 2021. We have some great incentives for filling it out early.
The counselors will be providing daily FAFSA/CADAA Assistance Support. Check your email daily for the times:
Here is the open Google Meet Link to jump in and get assistance: http://meet.google.com/vhi-rvdt-fgt
Sincerely,
Cheri Adame
Heritage High School
College and Career Center
cheri.adame@puhsd.org
What do I do now?? I have submitted my FAFSA/CADAA!! - Video
Next Steps - Set up your WebGrants For Students Account: https://mygrantinfo.csac.ca.gov/
Within 5 days of submitting your FAFSA/CADAA you will need to create your Webgrants for students account. You will need to do this to view/accept your Cal Grant (if eligible) and confirm your college of attendance. Here is a video to explaining how to create your account:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrVZqQYve_c
Click on this Button to Create your CA WebGrant Account
Understanding Your Financial Aid Offer
Click on this link to access the Sallie Mae Understanding Your Financial Aid Offer Handout:
Handout
Decoding your Financial Aid Offers
Click on this link to access the Sallie Mae Decoding your Financial Aid Offers handout:
Handout
Compare Your Financial Aid Offers Worksheet
Click on this link to access the Sallie Mae Compare Your Financial Aid Offers Worksheet:
Handout
Video How to understand Your Financial Aid reward Letter
Financial aid award letters play a key role in picking a college. Comparing them can be tricky. Make sure you can clearly identify what aid is free money like scholarships and grants, and what money is a loan that you’ll need to pay back.
FAFSA /CACAA Support Open Google Meet
Starting on January 11th, the counselors will be providing FAFSA/CADAA Assistance Support. Here are the times:
- Monday: 1:25-2:15
- Tuesday/Thursday: 10:00-10:50, 12:30-1:20, 2:20-3:10
- Wednesday: 8:55 - 9:45,10:55-11:45
- Friday: 9:10-10:00, 12:00-2:00
Overview of Financial Aid
Use this link to access a Slide Presentation about financial aid and paying for college. The second part of the presentation includes starting your FAFSA
What is the FAFSA?
Information needed to fill out FAFSA/CADAA
This document lists all of the information you will need prior to filling out the FAFSA or CADAA
3 Ways to Start Your FAFSA and Creating Your FSA ID
MyStudentAid App - Highly Recommended
We highly recommend you use the MyStudentAid App to create your FSA ID and to launch your FAFSA. Here is a link to an explanation video:
Video
Launching your FAFSA/CADAA through California Colleges
You can also launch your FAFSA/CADAA application through your student CCGI Account. You will be directed on how to create your FSA ID and continue on to the application. Here is a link to an explanation video:
Video
Creating your FSA ID and Launching your FAFSA Directly
You can also create your FSA Id and start your FAFSA directly from the. Here is a link explaining how to create your FSA ID:
Video
Creating your FSA ID Video
Watch this video to see how to fill out each section of the FAFSA. Please note, even though it is from Utah, this is the most comprehensive video we could find.
Step by Step Video on Filling out the FAFSA
Watch this video to see how to fill out each section of the FAFSA. Please note, even though it is from Utah, this is the most comprehensive video we could find.
Personal FAFSA/CADAA Worksheet from PUHSD Video
You should have received an email from either Julie Zierold or Beth Heyden with a personalized estimate on what grants you might receive for college and/or career technical school. Check your emails. Watch this video to understand the form. Here is the link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veT1nSNOPnk
Guide for FAFSA for Languages other than English
El sitio web ofrece la Guía práctica de FAFSA en varios idiomas, junto con enlaces y recursos para padres y estudiantes. www.understandingfafsa.org.
This website offers the FAFSA How-To Guide in several languages, along with links and resources for both parents and students! www.understandingfafsa.org.
California Dream Act 
The California Dream Act Application (CADAA) is for undocumented students. The state of California will provide financial aid to students who meet the eligibility requirements. If you are eligible for the CADAA you will not fill out the FAFSA.
Here is a link to more information and how to get started: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmqA1CA5tYo
La Solicitud de California Dream Act (CADAA) es para estudiantes indocumentados. El estado de California brindará ayuda financiera a los estudiantes que cumplan con los requisitos de elegibilidad. Si es elegible para la CADAA, no completará la FAFSA. Aquí hay un enlace para obtener más información y cómo comenzar:
Video sobre cómo llenar la solicitud CADAA en Español: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fa8JtMLB-uE
*Necesitará sus impuestos de 2019 para completar el formulario. Ignore la fecha de uso del video.
California Dream Act Application
Chafee Grant - $5,000 Additional Grant for Foster Youth
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. You don’t have to pay this money 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.
Please use this link to access more information and get to the Chafee Grant Application:
https://chafee.csac.ca.gov/
Financial Aid Application Deadlines
2020–21 FAFSA/CADAA Deadlines:
- Federal Deadline
Online applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Pacific time (PT) on March 2nd, 2021.
- Four Year Universities and Colleges Deadlines
Four Year Universities require you submit your FAFSA by March 2nd, 2021. However, you might be eligible for additional scholarships and grants specific to the colleges you applied to if you submit your FAFSA/CADAA by November 30th.
- California Community Colleges Deadlines
The community colleges deadline is June 30th, 2021. If you submit after March 2nd, your financial aid award information might not be available to you in a timely manner.
FAFSA Worksheet
FAFSA is now a graduation requirement.
Webgrants Next Steps!
Please watch our introduction video below:
How do I submit? See the Presentation Below:
Please view this presentation below!