Students can request an appointment with the Student Advisor, Felicia Bams via email at

fbams@emsofl.com or by calling (310) 486-5076 if you need assistance with the online application.

FAFSA and CALIFORNIA DREAM ACT FACT SHEET

FAFSA is an abbreviation for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Students who were born in the United States or
have established US citizenship can apply for the FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov . The Free Application for Federal Student
Aid (FAFSA) is the form used by virtually all two and four-year colleges, universities and career schools for the awarding
of federal student aid and most state and college aid. Students can get assistance with paying for college or vocational
school by submitting an online application.
California Dream Act is an application for undocumented students (AB540) which allows students who meet
the requirements below to apply for and receive state financial aid at California public and private colleges and
private scholarships administered by California public colleges. Students can apply at www.caldreamact.org if
they meet the following qualifications under AB540 Assembly Bill.
Attend a California high school for a minimum of 3 years;
Graduate from a California high school or pass the California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE)
or get a General Equivalency Diploma (GED);
Enroll in an accredited and qualified California college or university; and
If applicable, fill out an affidavit to legalize immigration status as soon as eligible.
1. What do I need to know?
Students can submit their financial aid applications by creating a Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID) that
electronically allows students to sign and submit their application online. Students and Parents can create
an FSA ID at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Parents who are undocumented will have to print a signature page and
mail the form to the Federal Student Aid Programs which is listed on the form. Financial Aid Forms must
be submitted/mailed before the March 2nd deadline every year.
Parents must provide income information retrieved from the prior year taxes for the application process. It
is mandatory that parents provide information for their child up until the age of 24 unless the child is
parenting, married, a foster youth or a special circumstance exists where the child is no longer in the
home. Failure to provide parental income information can result in a delay for your child to receive
financial aid assistance from the government. Please note: Parents that offer their income status can
greatly assist their child in getting the financial aid assistance they need to pay for college expenses.
2. When should I apply? What grants are available? Grants do not have to be paid back.
Students should apply for the FAFSA every year from October 1st thru March 2nd. Additional government
grants are usually awarded during this time frame. Students can still apply anytime throughout the year if
they missed the March 2nd deadline. After March 2nd, funds are limited.
Cal Grant deadline is March 2nd. Students must submit their Cal Grant form and FAFSA application by
the March 2nd deadline to be eligible for this award. This award is based on your high school GPA. The
Student Advisor verifies your Cal Grant GPA. The Cal Grant award ranges from $1500 up to $9000 a
year depending on the cost of attendance and your status once you register for college/university. Cal
Grant information website: http://www.csac.ca.gov/
Federal Pell Grant- Generally awarded to students with exceptional financial need who have not earned a
bachelors or graduate degree.

Board of Governors Grant- A grant that waives your tuition at the community college level if
you register for 6 or more units. Cost per unit at the community college $46 per unit.
California Chafee Grant- gives money to foster youth, and former foster youth to use for career
and technical training or college courses.

3. What documents/information is needed to apply for financial aid?

Drivers license (if you have one)
Social Security card or number for you and a parent
Alien registration number, if you are not a U.S. citizen
Your income information (ex. 1040(a) forms)
Parent income information (ex. 1040(a) forms)
You and your parents previous year income tax forms are okay for now if you dont have the
most current tax information available. Corrections must be made on your FAFSA before
enrolling in college/university. All FAFSA income tax information must be current. Please refer
to FAFSA website for more information.
Parent(s) Date of Birth
Month and year of parents marriage, separation, divorce or widowed (if parent is deceased)
Most current bank statements
Any records of untaxed income such as welfare benefits, Social Security benefits, or child
support payments
List of colleges you are interested in attending. Students can send their financial aid up to 10
colleges.
4. Where can I locate additional information on financial aid?
www.studentaid.ed.gov
www.webgrants4students.org
https://mygrantinfo.csac.ca.gov
5. What is Cash for College?
Every January and February students and families attend FREE Cash for College workshops
across California for help to fill out the FAFSA application and the Cal Grant GPA Verification
Form required for Cal Grants.
The Cash for College mission is to help low-income and first-generation college goers complete
the application process so they can access financial aid for education and career/technical
training beyon high school.
Find a workshop near you or attend an OFL Cash for College workshop held during the months
of January and February: http://www.calgrants.org

Resources retrieved from the following websites:

www.fafsa.ed.gov, www.calgrants.org, www.studentaid.ed.gov, and http://www.csac.ca.gov/