How to pay for college is a consideration for most students, and choosing a college will often depend on how much they can afford. There are 4 Financial Aid Options for students who qualify:

1.  Federal (Pell) & State (Cal) Funded Grants

2.  Federal Funded Loans (must be paid back after completing college)

3.  Federal Work Study Program

4.  Scholarships

Students apply for options 1-3 by filling out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid.) Students apply for scholarships on their own. Students are encouraged to apply for as many scholarships as possible and to create accounts on scholarship sites such as www.fastweb.com and www.scholarshipexperts.com.

The following websites provide information on Federal and State financial aid options.

www.fafsa.ed.gov: Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) on-line or download.  Also go to the FAFSA4Caster website to estimate what your financial need is and any awards you may qualify for.

www.pin.ed.gov: Apply here for a PIN to use when completing the FAFSA.  Parents and Students must have their own PIN

www.finaid.org:  Federal financial aid & scholarship information

www.csac.ca.gov:  Cal Grants and specialized programs available in California

www.edfund.org: A comprehensive site for financial aid options

www.maldef.org:  Mexican-American Legal Defense and Educational Fund

www.latinocollegedollars.org: scholarship opportunities for students with or without a social security number

www.californiacolleges.edu:  Federal & Cal Grant information

For More Scholarship Information, Visit the Scholarships Section.