College Financial Aid

Filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) is the first step to securing financial aid for college or training programs. Read on to explore your financial aid options!

Financial Aid Applications for the 2026-27 School Year Open October 1, 2026!

Four-Year Universities:
Apply by March 2, 2026

Community Colleges:
Apply by September 2, 2026

1. Choose the Right Application for You

You only need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA), not both. Submit the FAFSA if you are a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, eligible non-citizen, or T visa holder. If you are undocumented, Dream Act-eligible student, submit the CADAA.

2. Create an Account (FAFSA Only) and Gather the Required Information

Before starting the form, take a few minutes to gather the required information and documents. Note that FAFSA completers and their parents or contributors, also need to create a free account at StudentAid.gov.

Note that this is for FAFSA applications only.

3. Apply for Financial Aid!

High school seniors: launch your financial aid application through the Californiacolleges.edu platform – learn more below! Apply before the priority deadline on March 2, 2026, to maximize your aid. California community college students have until September 2, 2026, to complete their application. Questions? Visit your high school or college counselor!

Application Complete?

Create a WebGrants 4 Students Account

After submitting your application, create a WebGrants 4 Students account to check your Cal Grant status, make corrections, change schools, and update your address. CADAA applicants will receive a 9-digit “Dream ID number” from the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) to create their WebGrants account.

If you apply on time and no corrections are needed, you'll receive a Cal Grant Eligibility Notification by email. Follow the instructions to select your school. You'll also get a California Aid Report (CAR) detailing your Cal Grant status and amount. If you don't receive your CAR by June 30, 2025, and there's no update in WebGrants, contact CSAC.

Received Your Financial Aid Award? Congratulations!

Log in to your CaliforniaColleges.edu account to compare your financial aid offers. Use this document to learn how. You can also explore colleges with the College Scorecard.

Remember to make your decision by May 1, 2026!

Need More Support to Complete Your Application?

Get Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Why Should I Apply for Financial Aid?

Getting financial aid can help students pay for college or certain trade programs. By filling out the FAFSA or CADAA, students can get federal aid (for FAFSA applicants only), state aid, institutional aid, and student loans, unless they formally opt out.

Students will get an estimate of most of the financial aid they can receive, this helps students decide on a college, university, or vocational school.

What is the FAFSA?

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a form that lets students apply for financial aid, including federal, state, and institutional aid.

The FAFSA is very important for college and should be filled out every year. It helps determine how much financial aid you can get for college, university, or vocational school.

Find out more about the FAFSA form.

What is the CADAA?

The California Dream Act Application (CADAA) helps undocumented students, DACA recipients, U Visa holders, and students with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) get financial aid.

By completing the CADAA form, students can get private scholarships, state financial aid, university grants, community college fee waivers, and Cal Grants. It also allows eligible students to pay in-state tuition at any public college in California.

Find out more about the CADAA form.

Which Application Should I Complete?

Students should complete either the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA), according to the following requirements:

Complete the FAFSA if you are a:

U.S. Citizen
Permanent Resident
Eligible non-citizen
T Visa holder

Complete the CADAA if you:

Are undocumented
Have a valid or expired DACA
Hold a U Visa
Have Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
Meet the non-resident exemption requirements under AB 540, SB 2000, SB 68

a flowchart depicting the conditions for whether a student is eligible for the FAFSA or CADAA

What is a Studentaid.gov Account?

The Federal Student Aid ID (StudentAid.gov account (formerly FSA ID)) is a free account at StudentAid.gov that is used by contributors to access and electronically sign their portion of the FAFSA.

All student and parent contributors will need to create a StudentAid.gov account (formerly FSA ID). The StudentAid.gov account (formerly FSA ID) uses a social security number to verify identity. There is also a process for parents without a social security number to obtain a StudentAid.gov account (formerly FSA ID) that will be available. Those who already have a StudentAid.gov account (formerly FSA ID) will not need to create a new one.

Learn more on the California Student Aid Commission's website.

How Do I Fix Mistakes On My CADAA?

After you submit your application, review the Confirmation Page to identify and fix any errors that need correction. After the initial successful submission of your application, the California Student Aid Commission will send you an email with your nine-digit Dream ID number.

Log into your WebGrants 4 Students account to fix any errors. Also contact the financial aid office of the college/university that you will attend to inform them of the mistakes and ask for guidance on how to fix them.

How Can I Review and Correct My FAFSA Form?

Where Can I Find a Good Financial Aid Glossary?

Local and State Resources

Cash for College

Need help with completing your applications? Take advantage of free Cash for College workshops to connect with financial aid experts who can help you complete your financial aid applications!

Register for upcoming Cash for College sessions.

California Student Aid Commission

The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) is a government agency responsible for administering the financial aid programs for the State of California and helping students pay for college.

Visit CSAC to learn all about financial aid.

CalKids Program

The California Kids Investment and Development Savings (CalKIDS) Program offers newborns and eligible public school children in California an initial seed deposit for college and career.

Visit CalKids to save money for college.

Local Financial Aid Offices

Four-Year Colleges

Community Colleges

Did you know that tuition is free in the San Mateo Community College District for San Mateo County residents? Learn about free college now.