Resources and Opportunities
Financial Aid Applications - Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the California Dream Act Application (CADAA)
Accessing financial aid is key to supporting students in continuing their education to achieve their career aspirations. The priority filing period is October 1 to March 2nd in California. However, some schools require students to submit earlier, so students are encouraged to check the deadlines for the schools they are applying to and apply for financial aid as soon as possible.
To learn more about the types of financial aid assistance available to students and which application (FAFSA or CADAA) your student should use to apply for aid, please visit the California Student Aid Commission website.
Did you know you can launch your applications directly from your California Colleges account?
Students can launch the FAFSA/CADAA application from CaliforniaColleges.edu in order to apply for financial aid and track their progress from within their account on CaliforniaColleges.edu.
Step 1: Log into your Classlink and click on the CaliforniaColleges icon
Step 2: Complete Module 1: Prep Work for Your FAFSA or CADAA. You will find this module by signing into CaliforniaColleges.edu, hovering over My Plan, clicking on Lessons, and selecting the Financial Aid tab.
Step 3: Watch the interactive tutorial “How to Launch Your Financial Aid Application” or follow these steps:
Sign in to CaliforniaColleges.edu.
Hover over My Plan at the top of the page and click on Lessons.
Click on Financial Aid.
Click on Module 2: Launch and Submit the FAFSA or CADAA and open the first lesson.
Step 4: Watch the interactive tutorial “How to Track Your Financial Aid Application” or follow this step:
Click the Info button next to the Launch FAFSA/CADAA button to see the following information: The FAFSA/CADAA launch date, Information on whether or not you have submitted or completed your FAFSA/CADAA, Information on whether your school district submitted your Cal Grant GPA.
Note: It is recommended that students use a personal email that they check regularly – not their school-issued email address – when creating their financial aid account.
Did you know?!
First year students attending the Santa Rosa Junior College full time can get their FIRST TWO YEARS OF TUITION FREE regardless of income. Students must apply for financial aid to qualify.
Questions? Need Support?
Santa Rosa City Schools also partners with Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC) and 10K Degrees to support our students with completing their Financial Aid applications. Please visit the SRJC website for more information, check out the videos below, and/or attend one of their FREE virtual drop-in office hours: FREE Virtual Office hours. Please also visit the 10K Degrees website for a list of support workshops available.
Cash for College Nights are available online or in person for students and families to get support with completing a financial aid application. Please check HERE to view a list of upcoming workshops.
IMPORTANT UPDATE
Financial Aid Application Requirement and Opt-Out Form
Under a new state law called AB 469, high school seniors will be required to complete and submit either the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) or an opt-out form. This requirement began with the 2022-2023 school year.
Students and families will receive assistance completing the FAFSA or CADAA from their high school. More information about the FREE workshops and resources available to complete financial aid applications will be shared throughout the school year.
Parents/Guardians who elect not to have their student complete the FAFSA or CADAA should complete an opt-out form by April 2, 2024. The opt-out form will be available at each high school in the College and Career Center.