Financial Aid for California Students: Steps and Deadlines

Aid can pay for tuition, books, housing, food, and transportation. Students going to a community college, a university, or a career training program can all qualify. The first step is one application, filed once a year.

The dates that matter

Open nowThe FAFSA and the California Dream Act Application for fall 2027 are open.
March 2, 2027California's priority deadline for state aid, including the Cal Grant. Your high school GPA must be sent by this date too.
September 2, 2027State deadline for students starting at a California community college. Filing by March 2 keeps every option open.

Some colleges set their own earlier priority dates. Check the financial aid page of each college on your list.

Which application to file

FAFSA

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, at StudentAid.gov. Most students file this one. The FAFSA covers federal aid like the Pell Grant, and California uses it for the Cal Grant too.

California Dream Act Application (CADAA)

For students who can't file the FAFSA, including undocumented students who meet California's AB 540 requirements. The CADAA covers state aid like the Cal Grant. File one application or the other, not both.

Not sure which one fits your family? A school counselor or your coach can help you decide privately. Nobody else needs to see your answers.

Your steps, in order

Pick the FAFSA or the CADAA.Use the section above, or ask a counselor privately.
Create your accounts.FAFSA: a StudentAid.gov account for you, and one for each parent who needs to add information. CADAA: a Dream Act account.
Submit your application.Aim for well before March 2, 2027.
Create a WebGrants account and check your GPA.Most high schools send GPAs for you. Log in to WebGrants to confirm yours arrived by March 2.
Check whether any college needs the CSS Profile.Some private colleges ask for this second form. Their financial aid page says so.
Read and compare your aid offers.Offers usually arrive in spring, after you are admitted.

Reading an aid offer

Grants and scholarships don't get paid back.

Work-study is money you earn from a part-time job, usually on campus.

Loans get paid back, with interest. Compare the grants first when you put two offers side by side.

Scholarships

Scholarships come from colleges, community groups, employers, and local organizations. Keep a list with each deadline, what it asks for, and whether it needs a recommendation letter. Start in the fall of senior year, and keep going through spring.

Working with an Empowered Admissions coach? Track these steps in Launch Lab with your access code. Your work saves to your account.

Questions families ask

Do I have to file every year?

Yes. Students file a new FAFSA or CADAA for every year they want aid, including every year of college.

What if my family's information is private?

You can ask a counselor or coach for help one on one. The application asks for information to figure out aid. Your school and your coach don't share it.

Is it worth filing if I think we won't qualify?

Yes. Many colleges and scholarships use these applications to decide their own aid. Filing is free.

Where these facts come from

Dates change every year. We check them against the official sources above and update this page when they change.

More guides: The UC application · Recommendation letters

Financial aid for California students, step by step