Money matters:
Paying for your education(college)...and beyond
CUSD School Counseling Curriculum
Session Objectives
What is Financial Aid?
Money that helps students (& parents) pay for college.
Types of Financial Aid
Scholarships
Money that is gifted to a student for special skills, talent, qualifications or academic achievements. Schools, corporations and other private entities can offer scholarships. This will not be paid back!
Grants
Money that is gifted by the government to pay for tuition, supplies, and other fees associated with school. This will not be paid back!
Loans
Money borrowed to pay for tuition, supplies and other fees associated with school. This must be paid back!
Tuition & Fee Waivers
Work/Service based aid
Assistance that lowers the amount the student must pay. Tuition waivers aid students with the cost of tuition. Fee waivers aid students with any additional fees the school may charge. Students will still have to cover remaining costs.
Work, volunteer work, and/or community service that students can either receive grants or payment for through their financial aid.
Financial Aid amounts vary based on...
How many people live in your home (household size)
Income of student’s parents/guardians
Re-evaluated as financial situations may change
Which Financial Aid Application do I complete?
No Valid SSN (DACA students)
Undocumented and Non-Resident students
FAFSA
US Citizen or Legal Permanent Resident students
Valid SSN
Free Application for Federal Student Aid
Must be submitted to qualify for Promise programs
CA DREAM ACT APP
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
The California Dream Act
Financial Aid Process
Step 1:
Apply
Complete the FAFSA or CA Dream Act App
Step 4:
Final Awards
Awards may be revised & financial aid awards may change
Step 2:
Notification
Receive estimated award notice via email or student portal
Step 5:�If Eligible, payment is disbursed
Step 3:
Task List
Submit documents if required
Step 6:
Maintain satisfactory academic progress
Where and how do I start?
FAFSA: www.studentaid.ed.gov CA Dream Act: dream.csac.ca.gov
FAFSA/CADAA Applications
AB 469 requires students to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA).
Reasons to complete the FAFSA/CADAA:
If a student/parent/guardian would like to opt out of completing the FAFSA/CADAA application the CUSD Opt Out Form must be completed and turned into the CHS Counseling Department. The form was sent via ParentSquare on 2/4/25 to all seniors/parents/guardians.
The CSS profile and why do private colleges require it?
Determines eligibility for non-government aid including grants, loans & scholarships.
Submission dates: It should be submitted when you
submit your private college apps. DEADLINE February 17, 2025!
Specific questions:
Cost: $25 for the first application, $16 for each additional application, though some families may qualify for fee waivers.
Cal Grants & CA Student Commission
Cal Grants & CA Student Aid Commission
Cal Grant A | Cal Grant B | Cal Grant C |
~Helps pay for tuition and fees at four-year public CA colleges ~Award amounts may vary by type of college — for 2024-25, Cal Grants are up to $14,436 at a UC campus, $6,084 at a CSU campus, and min. Of $8,000 at independent colleges. *To earn the Cal Grant A, you must have a 3.0 GPA at the end of 11th grade and completed A-G eligibility. | ~Pays most first-year students a living allowance only, which may be used to pay living expenses, books, supplies and transportation, as well as tuition and fees. ~Provides a living allowance of up to $1,648, in addition to tuition and fee assistance after the first year, at a two- or four-year college. *You must have a 2.0 GPA at the end of 11th grade to be eligible. | ~Provides tuition and fee assistance for students pursuing a recognized vocational, occupational or technical program. $1094 for Comm. College and $2464 for Non Comm. College. |
Award Letter
After submitting your financial aid forms your family will receive a
financial need letter similar to this example.
After receiving admission offers, colleges will send your financial aid “package” which may include: school based scholarships, grants or work-study programs.
Scholarships (local, regional, national)
Searching for Scholarships on Naviance
Click Scholarship Requirement, then CHS Specific!
CHS Scholarships Regional Scholarships
Aron Gunner Memorial Scholarship: Minimum $1000 Due 4/16
CHS Staff and Memorial Scholarships (Variety of scholarship opportunities through one common app: 4 yr, 2 yr & vocational) Due 4/18
Carlsbad Hi-Noon Rotary College Scholarship + Vocational scholarship (Minimum $1,000!) Due 3/27
Lori Peacock Memorial Scholarship and more!
*most are $1,000 or more*
San Diego Foundation Scholarships (over 100 Scholarship opportunities/$5 million:) including California Retired Teacher Association: $2500 & renewable and other local CUSD opportunities. Due 3/5
San Diego County County Ford Salute to Education Scholarship: min $1000 Due 2/14
Oceanside Elks Lodge Scholarship: $2500 Due 2/24
Carlsbad Ed Foundation: will be live soon!
AND MORE!
Review of Next Steps
1. Apply for an FSA ID
2. Submit your FAFSA or Dream Act (or submit Opt Out Form) by March 3rd To Be eligible for Cal Grant awards (if you plan to attend college or trade school in California), community college Promise programs and to meet the CSU/UC priority deadline submit the FAFSA or CA Dream Act application.
3. Investigate scholarships weekly through Naviance
4. Submit Intent to register, UC deadline: MAY 1st; CSU deadlines vary, check your portals!
5. If the plan is to attend college, research the cost of attendance of each college by utilizing the Net Price Calculator on the school’s website
Class of 2025 reminders
Community Service
20 hours of community service is required to graduate.
How to check your submitted hours:
> Login to Aeries
> Student Info
> Activities and Awards
Access the community service form and instructions on how to submit your hours here.
Mira Costa Application Workshop March 4th and 11th
SIGN UP TODAY!
click
here
Upcoming Event
Scan the QR code or click here to sign up.
Upcoming Events
Click for more info!
www.
Cash4college.
csac.ca.gov
*Attend a Cash 4 College Workshop during the school year!
collegecost.ed.gov
Helpful websites
https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
Specific college financial aid websites: search by “net price calculator”