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Our team is here to partner with you in setting and reaching your post-high school graduation goals – from deciding if college is right for you to finding financial aid all the way to graduation and the start of your career.
FAFSA opens Dec. 1, 2024 and the California state aid deadline is March 3, 2025.
Financial aid is money or funding that helps pay for some or all of the costs of college. It can come in different forms, like grants, scholarships, and work-study. Here are some ways to get started so you don’t leave free money on the table.
This is a $500 grant from the state of California.
Are you eligible? Find out on the CalKids website
California offers Cal Grant funding to be used at University of California, California State University, or California Community College campuses, as well as qualifying independent, career, or technical colleges or schools in California.
Ready to apply? Learn more on the California Student Aid Commission website.
Submitting FAFSA means you’ll be eligible for federal and state aid. Many states and colleges also use the FAFSA to determine eligibility for their own financial aid, such as grants and scholarships, which can greatly reduce the cost of your education. FAFSA also maximizes your scholarship and loan opportunities. Even if you’re only interested in student loans, you still need to complete the FAFSA. Additionally, most scholarships require a completed FAFSA as part of their application process.
The California Dream Act and other financial aid sources offer funding and scholarships for undocumented students.
Ready to learn more? Visit the Immigrants Rising website.
If you are a senior in high school and planning to apply to private colleges, you might need to submit a financial aid form called the CSS profile.
Check the colleges that require the CSS profile on the College Board website.
Yes! Here are more ways to find scholarships:
Making Waves Education Foundation provides one-on-one support for Making Waves Academy students and families – from understanding financial aid, submitting FAFSA and Dream Act forms, and weighing admissions offers and financial aid and scholarship packages.
Here are the steps you need to take this January or February before the FAFSA deadline March 3, 2025.
Mr. Miguel Mendoza, financial services manager and program specialist at Making Waves Education Foundation, will walk you through the financial aid forms and setting up an FSA ID.
Mr. Mendoza is on campus (in the college and career center) the following days and times in January and February:
Señor Mendoza habla Español y Inglés.
Once you have completed your meeting with Mr. Mendoza, he will verify that this program requirement and task has been completed and will close it.
Here is what to bring to the meeting.
Wave-Makers:
Personal email address
Date of birth
If you filed taxes, please bring 2023 federal tax returns
Parents:
Copy or picture of social security card/s of both parents (if parents are married/live together). If parent/s does not have a social security card, please bring picture of front of State ID/Driver License or consular identification
Personal email address for both parents (if parents are married/live together)
Date of birth for both parents (if parents are married/live together)
Month and year one parent moved to California
If your parents filed taxes together, please bring the 2023 federal tax returns. If parents are married/living together, but filed separately, please bring both 2023 federal tax returns
It’s never too early to start thinking about your plans after high school. A big part of that could be going to college. Though the idea might seem a little scary now, prepping a head of time can make the process a lot easier. Here are the steps you can take to get ready to apply to college and find financial aid.
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