As students prepare for their future, understanding financial aid is essential whether the dream is college, technical school or another career path. CUSD is committed to supporting students and families throughout the financial aid process.
What is Financial Aid?
Financial aid is money that helps pay for education beyond high school and comes in several forms:
Grants: Federal, state, and institutional money that does not need to be repaid (e.g., Cal Grant, Pell Grant, Golden State Teacher Grant).
Scholarships: Awards based on academic, athletic, or other achievements that do not need to be repaid.
Federal Work-Study: A program that allows students to work while in school to help pay for college expenses.
Loans: Money borrowed from federal or private institutions that must be repaid, typically with interest.
Important Deadlines
For the 2025-2026 school year, the financial aid application season begins in December 2024 with the opening of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the California Dream Act Application (CADAA). To qualify for state financial aid, such as the Cal Grant, both the FAFSA and CADAA must be submitted by March 2, 2025.
Why Complete the FAFSA or CADAA?
Filing a FAFSA or CADAA is the first step in determining eligibility for federal and state financial aid. Even if you believe your family will not qualify for need-based aid, many scholarships, grants, and work-study programs require these forms. To qualify for the California College Promise (CCP) program, which provides free tuition for eligible students at community colleges regardless of income, students must complete the FAFSA or CADAA.
FSA ID
Before applying for financial aid, students and parents need to create an FSA ID (for FAFSA) or an account for the CADAA. These IDs can be created now and will serve as electronic signatures and are required to submit the applications.
Workshops
We know that the financial aid process can feel overwhelming, but help is available. CUSD counselors and financial aid partners will host a series of workshops to support students and families in January and February 2025. Detailed information will be available in December.