FAFSA or CADAA?
Sofia is a U.S. citizen who wants help paying for college. Which application should she generally complete to be considered for federal financial aid?
FAFSA
Jayden plans to use a school email account that will close after graduation. What should he use instead?
A personal email account he can access after graduation.
Name two types of financial aid that generally do not need to be repaid.
Grants and scholarships.
A friend says, “My parents make too much money. Applying for financial aid is pointless.” What advice would you give?
Apply rather than assume. Eligibility depends on the program and circumstances, and colleges may offer different types of aid. Applying does not guarantee an award, but skipping the application can close off opportunities.
You finished entering your information, but the application still says “In Progress.” Are you done?
No. Check what is missing, complete required steps and signatures, and confirm that the application is submitted.
What do FAFSA and CADAA stand for?
Maya and her required parent contributor want to share one StudentAid.gov account. What should they do instead?
Each needs their own StudentAid.gov account and their own email address. They should not share account credentials.
A student receives a financial aid offer that includes loans. Does submitting FAFSA mean the student must accept those loans?
No. The student can review the offer and decline loans.
Daniela plans to attend community college. She says, “FAFSA and CADAA are only for four-year universities.” What should you tell her?
Eligible community college students can receive financial aid too. She should complete the application appropriate to her situation.
A college emails asking for an additional financial aid document. A student ignores it because they already submitted FAFSA. What should they do?
Read the request, submit the required document by the deadline, and contact the financial aid office if they need help.
Abigail is an undocumented California student who may meet California Dream Act eligibility requirements. He thinks he cannot apply for any financial aid. Which application should he explore?
CADAA. Eligible undocumented students can use it to apply for California state financial aid and certain college aid.
Your class will begin college in fall 2027. Which tax year’s information does the 2027–28 FAFSA use?
2025
Andre receives a Federal Work-Study offer and thinks the full amount will automatically appear in his bank account. What does he need to understand?
Work-study money is earned by working in an eligible job. It is not an automatic payment.
student’s parent did not file a tax return. The student thinks this means they cannot apply for aid. What should the family do
Follow the application’s instructions, accurately report the parent’s filing situation and income, and ask for help if needed. Not filing does not automatically prevent the student from applying.
After submitting FAFSA, a student discovers an incorrect answer. Should they ignore it or immediately start another application for the same year?
Neither. They should review the correction process for their submitted application and get help if they cannot make the needed change.
Elena is a U.S. citizen, but her parents are undocumented. She says, “I cannot complete FAFSA because my parents are not citizens.” Is she right?
No. Her parents’ undocumented status does not automatically make her ineligible for federal student aid. She should get help completing the FAFSA and the required parent contributor steps.
A student does not know their parent’s income and says, “I’ll just enter zero so I can finish.” What should they do?
Ask their parent for the correct information and get help if needed. They should not guess or enter zero unless it is accurate.
A college’s total cost of attendance is $30,000. The student receives $18,000 in grants and scholarships. What is the net price?
$12,000.
A dependent student’s parent refuses to provide FAFSA information. The student says, “I’ll mark myself independent.” Is that the right solution?
No. A parent’s refusal does not automatically make a student independent. The student should contact a counselor or college financial aid office for guidance about their circumstances and options.
A student says, “I submitted FAFSA, so I automatically applied for every scholarship.” What is wrong with this statement?
Many scholarships require separate applications and have their own eligibility requirements and deadlines.
A student says, “I’ll submit FAFSA and CADAA so I get twice as much money.” What should you tell them?
Completing both does not double financial aid. The student should ask a counselor which application fits their eligibility and circumstances.
A student is a U.S. citizen, but their parent is undocumented. The family is afraid to complete FAFSA because they worry their information could lead to deportation. What should the student do?
Speak privately with a counselor or financial aid professional to review current privacy concerns and available options. The student’s citizenship may make them eligible for federal aid through FAFSA. California also offers a CADAA option for students from mixed-status families, but CADAA does not provide access to federal aid. The family should receive accurate information and support in making its decision—without anyone promising zero immigration risk.
College A costs $28,000 and offers $10,000 in grants and scholarships. College B costs $40,000 and offers $26,000 in grants and scholarships. Which has the lower net price, and by how much?
A family earned more in 2025, but a parent recently lost their job. The student wants to replace the required 2025 income with a lower estimate. What should they do?
Report the required tax-year information accurately, then contact the college financial aid office about the income change and ask about a special-circumstances review.
A college sophomore says, “I applied for financial aid in high school, so I never have to apply again.” What should you tell them?
Students need to complete the appropriate financial aid application each academic year they want aid and meet the relevant deadlines.