The California Dream Act allows undocumented and nonresident documented students who meet certain provisions to apply for and receive private scholarships funded through public universities, state –administered financial aid, university grants, community college fee waivers, and Cal Grants. AB 540 students may include undocumented students, students who are US citizens but who are not CA residents, and dependent students whose parents are not CA residents. AB 540 students are those who:

• Have attended a California high school for at least 3 years, or graduated early from a CA high school with the equivalent of 3 or more years of credit AND
• Graduated from a CA high School, or passed the California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE) or obtained a General Equivalency Diploma (GED) AND
• Enroll in an accredited and qualified California college or university, AND
• If applicable, complete an affidavit to legalize immigration status as soon as eligible.

The California Dream Application is for :

• Undocumented students who meet AB 540/AB 2000 criteria 
• U visa holders, and
• AB 540 eligible students who hold a Social Security Card obtained through Deferred Action for Childhood
• Arrivals (DACA); DACA holders are not eligible noncitizens

You must submit the FAFSA if you are a:

• United States Citizen,
• U.S. National
• Lawful Permanent Resident

Complete the Dream Act Application online at www.caldreamact.org beginning in early October. Be sure the application is submitted by the March 2^nd Deadline

California Student Aid Commission "Resources for the 2020-2021 Financial Aid Year"

Guide to College Scholarships & Financial Aid for Black Students

 

Applying to and affording college is a challenge for most college students, including black college students. This comprehensive guide offers tips for accessing financial aid and finding scholarship opportunities to help bring down the cost of higher education. 

 

 

What Is Financial Aid?       
Any money from outside the family that pays postsecondary (college) expenses

 

Understanding College Costs 
• More than just tuition                  
       Also includes room and board, books, transportation, personal expenses, etc.
• Vary by type of college      
      Community colleges are less expensive than four- year schools       
      Private colleges can be more expensive than public colleges
• Look at costs over an child’s entire postsecondary education            
      Four to six years total

 

Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
• Amount family can reasonably be expected to contribute, but not what the family will pay to the college
• EFC the same regardless of what college the student attends
• Calculated using a federal form and formula

 

What Is Financial Need?
• Difference between college costs and EFC
• Will vary by college
• Amount of financial need determines the aid a student will receive

 

Types of Financial Aid
• Scholarships Awarded on the basis of merit or unique characteristics
      Don’t have to be paid back

• Grants      
      Awarded on the basis of financial need      
      Don’t have to be paid back

• Loans      
      Considered self-help aid      
      Must be paid back, usually after student finishes school      
      Many different types      
      A good investment in child’s future

• Employment      
      Self-help aid      
      Earnings used to cover college expenses

 

Sources of Financial Aid
• Federal government      
      Largest source of financial aid      
      Awarded mainly on the basis of financial need      
      Apply every year using a standard form

• States      
      Offer both merit-based and need-based aid (CalGrant Program; www.csac.ed.gov)
      Usually have residency requirements

• Colleges      
      Varies widely from college to college      
      Offer both merit-based and need-based aid      
      May be offered as part of the admissions process

• Private sources      
      Churches, civic organizations, and employers      
      Varying award amounts and application procedures      
      Small awards add up

 

How to Apply for Financial Aid
• Complete a standard federal form every year

• Standard federal form is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
      www.fafsa.ed.gov      
      CA High School Seniors file between October 1st and March 2nd of Senior Year.
      Collects demographic and financial information about the student and his or her family
      Data used to calculate the EFC

• File the CalGrant GPA Verification Form by March 2nd of the senior year for CalGrant consideration

• Information from the FAFSA may be used by states, colleges, and private sources to award aid

• Ask colleges if other forms are required
      Many Private schools require the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE in addition to the FAFSA
      https://profileonline.collegeboard.com/prf/index.jsp in addition to the FAFSA.

 

Federal Financial Aid Programs
• Federal grant programs      
      Federal Pell Grant      
      Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)      
      National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) Grant      
      Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant      
      Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

• Federal loan programs      
      Federal Perkins Loan Program (borrowed by students)      
      Stafford Loans (borrowed by students)      
      PLUS Loans (borrowed by parents and graduate students)

• Federal employment programs      
      Federal Work-Study (student earns money through a campus provided job to help pay for education)

 

Estimating Eligibility Using FAFSA4caster
• On-line tool developed by U.S. Department of Education to help families financially prepare for college       
      http://www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov      
      Asks for data provided on the FAFSA      
      Estimates the EFC      
      Estimates eligibility for federal financial aid

• Estimates possible financial aid at various types of colleges

 

• Gives an idea of realistic costs, financial need, and financial aid

 

Researching Financial Aid
• Begin early
• Find scholarships that match student’s academic interests, hobbies, and unique characteristics
• Don’t pay for scholarship searches
• Be wary of promised results
• Report fraud

 

What to Do Now 
• Start saving
• Encourage child to take college prep classes
• Share information with student
• Encourage student to participate in extracurricular activities      
      Develop leadership skills
• Help child develop strong study skills