Financial Aid Info

HHS strongly encourages ALL students to apply for financial aid by completing either the FAFSA or the CADAA. Which one is right for you? Read on to find out more information.

FAFSA 

What is FAFSA?

FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. It reports both you and your parent/s income and taxes for the year before your 1st year in college, JC or Technical School. Colleges use this information to put together a financial aid package for you.

Steps to follow to complete the FAFSA:

1. Get a PIN for you and your parent. The FAFSA is a legal document so it must be signed. You sign with an electronic signature called a PIN. To apply for a PIN, go to eitherwww.fafsa.ed.govor to www.pin.ed.gov. You will need the official name as shown on you/your parent's Social Security cards, birthdates, and an email address to apply.
2. Gather information! This includes: 

*Income information from W-2's, paycheck stub, or previous year's taxes

*Social Security numbers for both student and parent

*Birthdates

*Savings account and any other income information

*Driver's licence number if you have one

3. Apply:

To apply for FAFSA, go to www.fafsa.ed.gov. Create a username and password and keep it!

**To qualify, you must be a US Citizen or eligible non-citizen

**Note: When you apply to FAFSA, you automatically are also applying for Cal Grants, our California grant programs

4. When do I apply?

The filing period is from January 1st to March 2nd of your senior year.

5. Help? What if my parents say they won't know their income until they complete their taxes in April?

In that case, put in the approximate income and taxes paid, OR use the income information from the previous year. The FAFSA allows you to go back later and make corrections once taxes are complete - the sooner the better this year!

6. What do I do next?

A few days after filing the FAFSA, you can go to the website and look at your SAR, the Student Aid Report. It can give you some possible financial aid information, BUT, it is the colleges that you are accepted to that will send you a complete and accurate financial aid award letter during the month of April.

CADAA

What is CADAA?

CADAA is the California Dream Act Application. It allows students interested in attending eligible California Colleges, Universities, and Career Education programs to apply for state financial aid.  It reports the prior-prior year’s income and tax information for both you and your parents to post-secondary institutions (4-year universities, 2-year colleges, technical and/or trade schools). Schools use this information to put together a financial aid package for you.

What is prior-prior year?

Prior-prior year means that for the Class of 2021, you will report your 2019 income/tax information on the CADAA. Rather than your 2020 income which may not be completed before the April 15th tax deadline. 

Steps to follow to complete the CADAA:

1. Create an account. Go to https://dream.csac.ca.gov/ to apply. You will need your official name as shown on your/your parent's birth certificates, birthdates, and an email address to apply. You do not need a Social Security number to apply for CADAA as long as you meet will graduate from a California high school (or meet other AB 540 criteria). Create a username and password and keep these in a safe location!
2. Gather information! This includes: 

*Income information from W-2's, paycheck stub, or prior-prior year's taxes

*Birthdates

*Savings account and any other income information

*Driver's license number if you have one

3. When do I apply?

The filing period is from October 1st to March 2nd of your senior year.

4. What do I do next?

A few days after filing the CADAA, you can go to the website and look at your SAR, the Student Aid Report. It can give you some possible financial aid information, BUT, it is the colleges that you are accepted to that will send you a complete and accurate financial aid award letter during the month of April.