Financial Aid for College
Financial Aid
Do you need lots of help or have a lot of questions in regards to submitting your financial aid information?
Do you think its too late to apply or too hard? You have until April 2nd, 2024 to submit. You can start the application at home and then submit with your counselor OR you can go to a "Cash for College" event and they can help you with this process from start to finish. See the bottom of this page for details!
Hello Parents and Students!
The Counseling Team at Nogales High School would like to encourage you and let you know that money for school is there for you, you have to take advantage of the opportunity. Please check out this page for information and important dates regarding money for college. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to ask your counselor! There is help for paying for college and its easier than you think!
This page will answer these questions:
- What is financial aid?
- Why should I apply for financial aid?
- Where should I apply for financial aid?
- How is financial aid determined?
- When should I apply for financial aid?
- Who can help me fill out financial aid applications?
What is financial aid?
- Money for college or additional training that is free and you don't have to pay back. You just apply for it and provide the information that they request and submit the application by March 2nd. There are other types of financial aid like scholarships, but specifically in this section we are only going to discuss two different types of applications, FASFA and California Dream Act.
FAFSA application:
Apply if you are a citizen or legal permanent resident. this application asks for a student social security number. It does not accept DACA-work permit social security number. If the student is a citizen or legal permanent resident but parents are undocumented, you complete the FAFSA. If the student is undocumented, you do not complete the FAFSA, you complete the California Dream Act application.
California Dream Act application:
Apply for this one if the student is undocumented. DACA status doesn't matter for this application. If you are awaiting legal permanent residency but don't have it yet, complete this one until you have your status changed. If you have a DACA social security number you will complete this application, if you do not have DACA and are undocumented, you complete this application. The California Dream Act Application gives you state award money but not federal, that is the main difference. You cannot apply to both the FAFSA & California Dream Act.
Why should I apply for financial aid?
It is free money! There are no strings attached and you do not pay it back to anyone!
The money first goes to the school you will be attending to cover costs like tuition. The remainder of the money can go to you! Also, (with the FAFSA only) you can select you want to do "Federal Work Study" and you will be able to work at your college and earn an additional paycheck! Awesome! Don't wonder how you can pay for college! This can make it free or super affordable! Filling out the FAFSA or the California Dream Act is free and has nothing bad from it- you can only get money or be notified what your EFC (Expected Family Contribution) is and it's calculated based on income!
Where should I apply for financial aid?
Easy!
There are two websites!
- FAFSA application: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
- California Dream Act Application: https://dream.csac.ca.gov/
How to Apply for Financial Aid
1. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the financial aid application. Use the FAFSA to apply for financial aid for all colleges/universities in the United States.
- FAFSA website: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
- Submit your FAFSA application starting December 1, 2023
- Will use the 2022 tax year information
AB540 and Deferred Action students will fill out the Dream Act Application. The Dream Act Application is only for California colleges, universities/trade schools etc.
- Dream Act Application website: https://dream.csac.ca.gov
- Submit your Dream Act application Starting December 1, 2023
- Will use the 2022 tax year information
2. Check with private and out of state schools for their financial aid filing deadline; they may have earlier filing deadlines.
3. Some private schools require a CSS PROFILE Application. The CSS PROFILE is an additional financial aid application required by certain private schools. You can register for the CSS PROFILE online at http://profileonline.collegeboard.com.
4. You must submit a FAFSA or Dream Act Application even if you are completing the CSS PROFILE.
5. CAL Grant/GPA Verification Forms: Nogales will automatically forward your name and GPA to the California Student Aid Commission. Check with your counselor to make sure we have your CORRECT name on file, or your name may not be automatically matched correctly.
- If you are an AB540 or Deferred Action student please notify your counselor so we can send the correct information
6. Always print a copy of everything you submit online.
How is financial aid determined?
Both types of applications ask tax or income information, that's how they calculate how much money to give you.
When should I apply for financial aid?
This is important, the time to apply for both-is the same time period.
The application period for both opens Dec. 1st of each year.
Example: The application period this year is December 1, 2023 - April 2, 2024.
Who can help me fill out financial aid applications?
NHS College & Career Center can get you started. Attend a workshop during Dec/Jan/Feb in the College & Career Center.
Recommended ----> CASH FOR COLLEGE EVENTS- One place you can start and submit your application, worry free! Bring your parents, bring yourself and go to one of these dates below at the time indicated and submit your application before the deadline! If you want your parents to be there or have a lot of questions and are curious about how the process works, this is a free and easy option as well. Best of all- since either application asks for so much information and it can take at least an 1 hour to apply, there are community events called CASH for COLLEGE where you go with your parents or by yourself and bring ALL the information needed and you can apply with Cash for College from start to finish! Pressing the SUBMIT button is going to be so awesome!
Don't wait- April 2nd will be here before you know it!
If you are or were in foster care for at least one day, between the ages of 16 and 18 as a dependent or ward of the court and have financial need, you may qualify for up to $5,000 a year for career and technical training or college. You don’t have to pay this money back. You may also be able to use your grant to help pay for child care, transportation and rent while you’re in school. You can use your Chafee Grant at any eligible California college or university or career or technical school, as well as schools in other states.