Paying for It
A wide variety of resources are available to help students and families of all backgrounds pay for college and career training. Do not self-select out of financial aid before exploring all you options.
Do the math – how many hours do you need to work to earn $1,000? The hours required to complete financial aid and scholarship applications could be much less.
There is an 85% chance that students will receive some form of financial aid. 92% of low-income students who apply receive grant aid which does not have to be paid back.
Hints:
- Plan and save for college and career training as early as possible.
- Start early – do not wait until you are accepted at a college to ask about financial aid.
- Apply for everything for which you are eligible. Don’t assume that you won’t be considered.
- Financial aid deadlines are not flexible – keep track of deadlines.
- Apply to all four sources of financial aid — Federal, State, College, and Outside Agency (scholarships) Aid — and potentially receive financial aid from all four sources.
The Pedrozzi Foundation recommends that ALL high school seniors submit a Financial Aid Application (FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application) – learn why.
CSAC Statewide Cash for College Webinar
Have questions about FAFSA or CADAA? Attend one of the CA Student Aid Commission’s Statewide Cash for College Webinars! These webinars provide students and their families information on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and California Dream Act Application (CADAA).
Pedrozzi Scholarship Foundation
Apply for scholarships for community college, undergraduate and graduate studies and vocational training. Eligibility limited to graduates of the Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District.
Student Education Loan Fund (SELF)
Livermore based nonprofit providing interest free loans for Livermore residents and high school graduates of any age.
California Student Aid Commission
The State of California helps pay for college through Cal Grants, Community College Fee Waivers and Middle Class Scholarships. Students must complete the FAFSA or CA Dream Act App by March 2 to be eligible for financial aid from the State of California. Learn about all the CSAC Financial Aid Programs.
College / Institutional Aid
Most colleges award scholarships or grants to their own students. Many schools have separate scholarship applications that must be completed in order to be eligible for institutional awards. Visit the college websites to learn more.
Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS)
Every California Community College receives funds to support on campus Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS). The goal of EOPS is to support students challenged by language, social, economic and educational disadvantages, and to facilitate the successful completion of their goals and objectives in college. EOPS offers academic and support counseling, financial aid and other support services. Learn about EOPS at Las Positas College.
Other Scholarships
Check with your high school and college for list of local and national scholarships. Apply to a wide variety of scholarships.
- The Dream.US – Scholarships for Dreamers who will be attending partner colleges, including several UC and CSU campuses.
- BigFuture Scholarships – BigFuture offers tools to help you choose a college and career right for you. When you take steps on BigFuture to get ready for college, you’ll be entered in drawings for $500 and $40,000 scholarships. There are no essay, minimum GPA, test score, or citizenship requirements. It’s easy to enter scholarship drawings each month.
Choose your favorite of these FREE scholarship search sites:
FAFSA
Students need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) every year to apply for financial aid (grants, loans and scholarships) from the federal and state governments and most colleges.
The FAFSA opens October 1 each year so you can complete your financial aid applications in the fall well ahead of the March 2 California deadline – verify if your college has an earlier deadline. If you need help, attend one of the CSAC Cash for College Webinars or contact us.
College Scorecard
US Department of Education’s college comparison tool which includes cost to attend, graduation rates, and financial aid and student debt statistics.