1. What are FAFSA and CADAA
FAFSA: Application for federal student financial aid, such as federal grants, work-study, and loans. Also can be used to determine a student’s eligibility for state and school financial aid.
CADAA: Application for financial aid such as private scholarship funded through public universities, state financial aid, university grants, Cal Grants. Also used to determine a student’s eligibility to pay in-state tuition at any public college in California.
2. How do I know which one to complete?
FAFSA Eligibility:
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US Citizen
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Permanent Resident
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Eligible non-citizen
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Visa holder
CADAA Eligibility
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Undocumented
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Have a current or expired DACA
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U Visa holder
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Have Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
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Meet the non-resident exemption requirements under AB 540, SB 2000, SB 68
3. Do I need to fill this out if my student is not in need of financial aid?
No. families may opt out of filling out a FAFSA or CADAA. However, they must fill out a financial aid application opt-out form and submit it to the high school counseling office by March 2, 2023.
4. How do I apply?
FAFSA:
CADAA:
5. Is this a new requirement?
Seniors have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) applications in the past. However, what is new this school year, is a requirement for school districts to confirm that all high school seniors complete a FAFSA or CADAA, per Assembly Bill AB 469, or fill out a financial aid application opt-out form.
6. How is my data protected?
By law, your personally identifiable Information in the FAFSA can only be used in furtherance of administering financial aid, including research. Although your high school will know whether you completed the FAFSA, it will not have access to the information that you provide on your FAFSA. The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) released a joint statement with the California Department of Education stating, “The information provided via the California Dream Act Application is used solely to determine eligibility for state financial aid and isn't shared with the federal government or used for immigration enforcement purposes. The CSAC will protect this information to the fullest extent of the law." You may read the full statement on the CSAC website.
7. How can I obtain more information?
