FAFSA
Name atleast two types of federal aid a student may receive from FAFSA
Grants, Loans, or Work-Study
Where does the Cal Grant come from?
State Government
True or False:
FAFSA automatically accounts for special circumstances.
False
Independent or Dependent:
A student has legal guardianship with someone other than their parents, as determined by a court in their state of residence.
Independent
What happens if a student forgets to sign the FAFSA?
The application is incomplete
What does FAFSA stand for?
Free Application for Federal Student Aid
What is the minimum GPA requirement for Cal Grant B?
2.0 GPA
Name one example of a special circumstance.
Loss of income, death of parent, in legal guardianship with someone other than parent, etc.
If my parents are divorced, whose information do I report?
The parent who provides more financial support.
What should a student do if they made a mistake after submitting FAFSA?
Log in and submit a correction
What year of the FAFSA form are students filling out right now?
2026-2027
What is the deadline to submit the FAFSA in order to get the Cal Grant?
March 2nd
Does having high medical expenses qualify as a special circumstance?
Yes, if documented
If I recently moved out of my parents' home and I now live with a friend, do I still need to invite them to complete my FAFSA application?
Yes, as long as parents are living
What common mistake can delay Cal Grant eligibility?
Missing GPA submission or mismatch in name
When does the FAFSA open and when does it close?
It opens on October 1st and closes June 30th
True or False:
I am not eligible for Cal Grant since I submitted the CADAA instead of the FAFSA
False
Where does TRIO show on the FAFSA application?
Student Homelessness
If a student is in a family of four, their family's income is $76,200 a year, and the student's Cal grant GPA is 2.9, is the student eligible for Cal grant?
Yes or No
No. They fall under the 'no cal grant zone'
Do we decide what application will the student submit if their parents are undocumented?
No, we cannot decide for them.
They can choose the FAFSA and share their parent's information. Or CADAA and miss out on the Pell Grant.
The FAFSA application has a "State of Residence" question, asking for the date they became a resident of California.
What is another way we can ask the student/parent this question?
"When did you first begin living in California?"
NEVER assume they were born here and enter their birthday.
NEVER assume it is a citizenship question.
What is the maximum Cal Grant award a student can get at a UC?
$15,400 (Cal Grant B)
True or False:
I qualify as special circumstance because I do not live with my parents, but I still have contact with them.
False
My parent lost their job last month, but the taxes show FAFSA a high income. What is the next step?
They will need to submit a 'Loss of Income Appeal'
What happens if a student answers 'Yes' on the question:
Direct Unsubsidized Loan Only
"Are the student’s parents refusing to provide their information on this FAFSA form?"
The student will not get the Federal Pell Grant