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Financial Aid FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Q: Do I fill out the FAFSA or DREAM Act Application?

A: It depends on your (student’s) citizenship status. The FAFSA is for U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens.
The DREAM Act Application is for undocumented students. Please speak with a counselor if you are not sure.

 

Q: I can only list up to 10 colleges on my financial aid application. How can I add more?

A: There is a limit of 10 institutions you can list each time. Submit the FAFSA/DREAM Act Application with the first 10 schools. After you receive your SAR, you can remove the first 10 schools and add more. 

 

Q: My parents make too much money. Should I still complete a financial aid application?

A: YES. Perhaps you won’t qualify for need-based aid, if your parents make “too much.” However, students can qualify for a student loan, which may be offered at a low interest rate and may come in handy later on. Also, colleges may offer financial aid to students, but only if the application(s) are completed. So YES, fill it out! Otherwise you won’t know what you may be missing out on. Your only “loss” will be the 45 minutes you take to fill it out. 

 

Q: I’m only going to community college. Should I still complete a financial aid application?

A: YES! Qualifying students can receive the California Promise Grant which covers tuition for the first two years of tuition at our local community colleges. Also, completing the FAFSA or DREAM Act application may allow you to apply for specific scholarships, including the Frank M Doyle Scholarship. 

 

Q: When should I apply for financial aid?

A: ASAP. You can apply for financial aid even before you finish your college application. If your college application deadlines are earlier, you will likely need to submit financial aid applications at an earlier deadline, also. Check respective college websites for financial aid application deadlines. Sooner is better. 

 

Q: Which parent information should I report on the FAFSA/DREAM Act application?

A: Please use this flowchart to figure out which parent(s)’ information to report: Bit.ly/parentonFOTW 

 

Q: What should I do if I have filed my FAFSA/DREAM Act application and my SAR has not come through or I created a Webgrants account and it indicates a problem with matching my information?

A: Please log into FAFSA/DREAM Act application and check for errors. Confirm that your name and social security number are correct. Also, your name on the financial aid application and your official name at school must match. Please see Mrs. Hubner in the Career Center for help verifying with the California Student Aid Commission.

 

Q: How do I know if I need to complete the CSS Profile?

A: Some private colleges and out-of-state public universities may require the CSS Profile. The best way is to look at a college’s financial aid website. Google: “Name of college/university” + Financial aid.” The first few results will usually take you to the appropriate website. You can also check the list for CSS Profile participants.

Q: What is a scholarship? How can I apply?

A: A scholarship is financial support awarded to a student based on academic achievement, talent or other criteria. Individuals, organizations, colleges and companies can offer scholarships, and the application, the process for selection, and the amount awarded depends on the individual scholarship. The WHS college/career website has a list of local scholarships and scholarship search engines. A reasonable goal is to aim to apply for 2-3 scholarships a month. 

 

Q: Do colleges and universities automatically put me in the running for scholarships when I apply?

A:  Many schools automatically consider you for institutional scholarships by simply applying for admission. Be aware of early/priority deadlines for merit scholarships. For example, USC has a priority college application deadline of 12/1, in order to be considered for merit scholarships. In addition, you want to check the financial aid website and even department/major website of the school to check for other scholarship opportunities, which you may need to apply separately. 

 

For students considering out-of-state public schools, check for scholarships specifically for out-of-state students. WUE, Western Undergraduate Exchange (https://www.wiche.edu/wue), is a great start! There are 15 other states that participate in the WUE. Students applying to schools and majors that are part of the WUE can receive discounted tuition for out-of-state public institutions. Please check the website for specific requirements, deadlines and any major restrictions. 

 

Q: If I did not qualify for a Cal Grant for the 2022-2023 school year because of my grades, can I qualify in the future?

A:  Yes, possibly! You may qualify to earn a Cal Grant for the following year in college, if you raise your grades and meet the qualifying GPA. You would still need to meet the income guidelines for the Cal Grant program. Therefore, it is important to finish your senior year with the best grades possible - no senioritis!

 
Q: Do I have to create a Webgrants 4 Students account ?

A: Yes, in order to monitor your eligibility for California state aid, including the Cal Grant program and Middle Class Scholarship. On Webgrants 4 Students, you can check your award status and manage the award, including selecting the California college you will attend (so the money is sent there) and confirming your graduation status. It is the student’s responsibility to manage and update information on this account. Please wait at least a week after filing the FAFSA/DREAM Act application until you create a Webgrants account. 

 
Q: My question is not addressed here. Where can I go for help?

A: Please use the following resources

Contact Mrs. Gomez, if you have any other questions about financial aid.