Financial Aid
The cost of college can be daunting for many students. Thankfully, there are countless financial aid programs that can help to alleviate or eliminate that cost. Below, you can find a list of some of the most common options and important procedures in ensuring that your college process is as inexpensive as possible.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is an essential form that all students should fill out in the Fall of their senior year of high school, as it is used as the first step in most financial aid opportunities (scholarships, loans, grants, etc.) The FAFSA opens on October 1st and should be completed no later than March 2nd for state financial aid programs and no later than September 2nd for additional community college Cal Grants. The FAFSA can be filed online. Just click on the hyperlink to go to the Federal Department of Education website: http://www.fafsa.ed.go
*According to Assembly Bill (AB) 132 and AB 469, high school seniors are now required to complete and submit a FAFSA/CADAA application. Education Code Section 51225.7 requires all students, beginning with the class of 2023, to complete a FAFSA or CADAA unless the parent/guardian or 18-year-old student opts out. Students should have received the opt-out form in the mail. If they haven’t and wish to opt-out of completing financial aid, stop by the College Center and pick up the form, once completed please return it to the College Center. You must complete your financial aid application or turn in the Opt-out form, in order for you to receive your cap and gown. Opt-out forms are also attached below.
In addition, it is extremely important to apply for and successfully create an FSA ID. For more information and how to apply, go to https://studentaid.ed.gov/fafsa/filling-out/fsaid
NHHS Financial Aid Informational Session for parents: January 26--in the College Center: Info session from 6:00pm-7:00pm AND hands-on assistance from 7:00pm-8:00pm to support parents in starting or completing the FAFSA/Dream Act application. See the "FAFSA Tips & Tools" flyer below for more information on guiding you through the process.
NHHS Financial Aid workshops for students: TBA--Workshops will begin in December. Please see the "FAFSA Appt" flyer below about what to bring to the workshop. It is important that you come prepared so we can expedite the process effectively. Thank you
FAFSA4caster allows you and your family to receive an early estimate of eligibility for federal student aid. This website provides you with an opportunity to increase your knowledge of the financial aid process, become familiar with the various types of federal student aid that are available, and investigate other sources of aid, such as grants and scholarships. To access this website go to: https://studentaid.gov/aid-estimator/
Cal Grant/GPA Verification awards are state-funded monetary grants given to students to help pay for college expenses. The awards do not have to be paid back. You apply for all Cal Grants when completing your FAFSA. LAUSD will automatically provide a GPA verification electronically to the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC). If your GPA is not verified, it is likely because the information that you submitted via FAFSA does not match our school records. For example, if you moved and didn't inform us, if your social security number is incorrect, if your name on our files is different than the name you used when you applied to FAFSA, etc. Complete the form then bring it to the College Center. Selection is based on financial need, academic performance, and other factors. Cal Grant A is available to assist with registration fees for low- and middle-income students; for Cal Grant B, a disadvantaged background is also considered; for Cal Grant C, vocational interest and aptitude are considered. You must apply for a Cal Grant by the March 2 deadline. For more information about the Cal Grant program, you can go to the following website http://www.calgrants.org or call:1-888-224-7268
California Student Aid Commission assists students and parents in searching for State, federal, and institutional financial aid information for funding post-high school education. It can be accessed at: http://www.csac.ca.gov
CollegeAnswer.com provides detailed information on education savings plans, school costs, ways to pay for college, scholarships, and the student financial aid process from estimating your Estimated Family Contribution (EFC), to completing the FAFSA and reviewing the Student Aid Report (SAR). It can be accessed at https://www.salliemae.com/college-planning/
CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE® is a financial aid application service of the College Board. Many of the member colleges and universities use the information collected on PROFILE to help them award non-federal student aid funds. The deadline for filing this form is earlier than the FAFSA which means students should check carefully to determine whether the school(s) they are applying to require this form. The Profile can be accessed at the following website: http://cssprofile.collegeboard.org/
EDFUND is a private, nonprofit corporation offering student loan services. This website provides a wealth of college financial planning tools. It can be accessed at http://www.edfund.org
Finaid is a general financial aid site with information on loans and scholarships as well as a financial aid calculator that can help you determine whether you qualify for need-based aid and your family's Estimated Financial Contribution (EFC) will be. It can be accessed at: http://www.finaid.org
Financial Aid Letter.com is a website where you can read real college financial aid award letters, decode confusing (and sometimes misleading) loan and scholarship information, translate financial aid jargon and acronyms into plain English, and acquire advice on raising additional money for college. It can be accessed at http://www.financialaidletter.com
Mapping Your Future is a one-stop site for students and parents to learn about financial strategies, career options, and college planning. It can be accessed at http://www.mapping-your-future.org
The National Center for Educational Statistics can provide information about the average award amount at each school, how many students receive aid, and various other statistics. It can be accessed at: http://www.nces.ed.gov
The U.S. Department of Education site has information about federal aid programs and includes recommendations and tips for parents and students on how to pay for college. It can be accessed at: https://studentaid.gov/
An overwhelming majority of Latino families value a college education, yet they perceive the cost of higher education to be prohibitive. Many families are not aware that scholarships and grants – free money – are available to Latino students, and every year thousands of dollars go unclaimed! This up-to-date directory requires no registration and is accessible to all. It can be accessed at https://finder.hsf.net/
Cash4College offers hands-on workshops for students/parents. You must register in order to attend the session. For more locations log onto https://cash4college.csac.ca.gov