Hello DVC,

Reminder that the Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) is due in two days: March 2nd. All seniors that are planning on attending a 4-year college/university, community college, trade/vocational school should fill out the FAFSA or the CADAA to make sure they get access to financial resources such as grants and scholarships.

Here is the link to start the FAFSA Application. 

Here is the link to start the CADAA Application.

We also have a recorded webinar of the FAFSA workshop we hosted back in October 2021 that provides step-by-step instructions on how to fill out the form: Da Vinci Schools FAFSA Webinar

Some common misconceptions about FAFSA are:

1. If I fill out the FAFSA, I have to accept all the loans they’re offering me: Every student has the option of accepting or declining any financial awards they receive. If a student doesn’t want to accept any loans, they have the option of declining them once they receive their financial aid award letter form the colleges they’ve been accepted to.
2.  I already know that my son/daughter doesn’t qualify for financial aid based on my income: Every year colleges and universities have more financial opportunities made available for students with middle/higher class income. For example, UCs and CSUs now have middle-class scholarships in which students with family income up to $191,000, and household assets of no more than $191,000 will receive a scholarship that can cover between 10 percent and 40 percent of systemwide tuition and fees.
3. My parents don’t have a SSN, so I can’t apply for financial aid: Parent’s legal status does not affect student’s financial aid eligibility. Instead of creating a FSA ID account for their parents when completing FAFSA, students will be required to print out a confirmation page, obtain their parent’s signature, and mail that confirmation page.
4. Student does not have a SSN so they don’t qualify for financial aid: Students who are undocumented still qualify for state and school financial aid. They would need to submit the California Dream Act Application.

Students with a SSN should only complete the FAFSA. Students without a SSN should only complete the CADAA.

I’m available for any further questions about the FAFSA  and the CADAA, please email me at maldrete@davincischools.org

Ms. Aldrete

College and Career Counselor

The 2022 College Prep Scholars Program application is now open! The deadline is Thursday, March 24. Start your application today >>

The Questbridge College Prep Program is looking for high school juniors who have shown outstanding academic ability despite financial challenges. They take a holistic approach to reviewing applications, and we do not have absolute criteria or cut-offs for GPA, standardized test scores, income, or other factors.

Eligibility

Any high school junior, regardless of citizenship, currently attending high school in the U.S. is eligible for the College Prep Scholars Program. Additionally, U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents living abroad are eligible for the program. International students living outside the U.S. are not eligible.

Applicants must be high school juniors who are planning to apply to college during the fall of their senior year.

Academic Achievement

We seek students who have demonstrated high academic achievement. The following is based on profiles of past College Prep Scholars, and are not strict cut-offs:

Financial Qualifications

College Prep Scholars typically come from households earning less than $65,000 annually for a typical family of four and have minimal assets. This is not a strict cut-off and we encourage students who feel they have faced significant financial hardship to review these financial criteria carefully to see if they may qualify.

Personal Circumstances

We also take the following factors into account when reviewing applications:

Kenny Washington broke the NFL’s color barrier in 1946 when he signed with the Los Angeles Rams. He ended a 12 year ban on black players in the NFL. He was an icon on and off the field. 75 years later, the LA Rams would like to honor his legacy with the Kenny Washington Memorial Scholarship. In partnership with the Fulfillment Fund, the LA Rams are offering a scholarship renewable for up to 4 years. This scholarship is open to students attending a 4-year or a 2-year college.

All scholarship recipients will be provided with advisement and support from Fulfillment Fund and will be selected for their embodiment of Kenny Washington’s core values: perseverance in the face of adversity, dedication to their goals and the Los Angeles community, fortitude through breaking barriers, and inspiring others around them to make a difference.

Funded by the Rams Foundation, students who are accepted to a four-year college or enrolled in an accredited baccalaureate degree granting program will receive $5,000 per year for up to four years. Scholarship recipients that are accepted to and enroll in an accredited community college will receive $2,000 per year for up to two years. Students may be eligible to receive additional financial support upon successful transfer to a four-year college.

Eligibility:

• 2.0 GPA
• Graduating from high school in Spring 2022
• Planning to attend a 4-year or 2-year college in Fall 2022
• Must be eligible to apply for the FAFSA (U.S Citizen, permanent resident, eligible non-citizen, T-Visa holder) or CA Dream Act  (undocumented students, valid or expired DACA, U-Visa holders, Temporary Protected Status)
• Priority will be given to those who are first generation college students

Applications are due February 28, 2022. Apply by clicking on this link.

• 4-year University, pursuing a bachelor’s degree.
• Community college, pursuing an AA degree
• Vocational training program, pursuing a diploma or certificate

FREE Cash for College Workshop

Join the CCCCCO and the California Student Aid Commission on Monday, Feb. 7, 5:00-6:30 p.m. for a workshop focused on helping Black and African American Students. Attend this FREE Cash for College workshop to receive help completing the FAFSA, CADAA and learn about other financial aid resources. 

FIVE Students in attendance will win a $100 Gift card courtesy of iHeart Media! Register here: https://lnkd.in/gUHGV9Nz