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Financial Aid

IMPORTANT FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION

IMPORTANT FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION

Financial Aid Applications Open:  December 2023
Deadline: April 2nd, 2024
Every year post-secondary education expenses increase and scholarship money is left unclaimed, low-interest loans are not considered, and work-study programs are left unfilled - all because students (and/or parents) think they won’t qualify and therefore do not complete the appropriate financial aid forms. Remember, No application = No money. Why not complete the financial aid process and let the colleges decide if you qualify?

CVHS would like to encourage every senior student to complete the online Free Application For Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CA Dream Act).  Please visit our DREAMers page to learn more about the CA Dream Act Application.  To be considered for financial aid you MUST complete the appropriate application.  More information on the types of aid available is available below.

Please keep in mind that some scholarships and/or colleges may have an earlier FAFSA deadline.  Students who will be attending community college, and/or trade/technical schools should also complete financial aid forms.  (NOTE: Please see important deadlines, directions, and links below for FAFSA, Cal Grant, and CSS Profile.) 

Please be aware that you DO NOT need to pay anyone to fill out the FAFSA, CA Dream Act, or CSS Profile. Please check the FAFSA website for online and phone contacts for FREE help directly from FAFSA.  You may also contact the Financial Aid Office of each college to which the student applied for assistance.

General Types of Financial Aid

General Types of Financial Aid

  • Pell/Cal Grants: Federal/State aid that does not need to be paid back
    (certain exemptions apply for repayment)
Click here to learn more about Federal grants.
Click here to learn more about Cal grants.
 
  • Federal Work-Study Program: Allows you to work part-time to earn money to pay for college
Click here to learn more about the work-study program.
 
  • Loans: Funds that must be paid back, with interest. 
Click here to learn more about the different types of loans.
 
  • Scholarships: There are numerous organizations that offer scholarships to help pay for college.  This is free money.
Click here to learn more about scholarships.
Click here to visit our scholarship page.

How to file a 24-25 application

How to file a 24-25 application

Once you have determined which application to file, follow the steps below to assist you through the application process.
 
  FAFSA CA Dream Act
Step One Click here to create an FSA ID. This can be done now. Gather the necessary paperwork for both the parent and the student. 
Step Two  Gather the necessary paperwork for both the parent and the student.  Click here to begin filing your application for the 24-25 school year.
Step Three Click here to begin filing your application for the 24-25 school year.  
 
Every student should create a WebGrants 4 Students (WG4S) Account once they receive a notification that their application has been processed.  This account allows students to manage their state awarded financial aid.  Click here to create the account.

CSS Profile

CSS Profile

The CSS Profile is another online application that some college/universities have students fill out to determine if they qualify for additional non-federal institutional aid.  Colleges/Universities will indicate on their websites if the CSS Profile is also required to complete.  CSUs & UCs do not require the CSS Profile. 
 
Click here to learn more about the CSS Profile.
Types of Financial Aid Explained

Types of Financial Aid Explained


Which Application do I file?

Click on the tab to see eligibility requirements
Which Application do I file?

FAFSA

You are eligible to complete the FAFSA if you are a:
  • U.S Citizen
  • Permanent Resident
  • Eligible non-citizen
  • T Visa holder
Click here for more information.

CA Dream Act

You are eligible to complete the CADAA if you are:
  • Undocumented
  • Have a valid or expired DACA
  • U Visa holders
  • Have Temporary Protected Status (TPS)

Cal Grant GPA Verification

Cal Grant GPA Verification

As part of the eligibility requirements for Cal grants, each senior student must submit their GPA to the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC).  As a courtesy, our school automatically uploads every senior student's GPA by the end of September of the fall semester of their senior year, unless the student has opted out.
 
Students do have the option to opt out of having their GPA automatically sent to CSAC, but you must opt out by the end of the fall semester of your junior year.
 
Current juniors (Class of 2025), have until December 31, 2023, to opt-out of the Cal Grant