Once you find a community college, university, vocational school, or any other type of higher education, you have to find a way to pay for it. While you're looking for scholarships and other forms of "the kindness of strangers", it is important to exhaust all of the other available resources. Below you will find some information and links that provide valuable tips about financing your future. All students are strongly encouraged to file a FINANCIAL AID application to allow the college or university the opportunity to determine your eligibility for aid.

WHAT IS FINANCIAL AID?

• Gift Aid
• Grants and scholarships (free money)
• Self-Help Aid
• Work Study (job opportunity to earn money
• Loans (money borrowed that must be repaid)
• Need-based (Aid based on your financial situation)
• Merit-based (Aid based on your grades, test scores, hobbies and special talents; also called non-need based aid)

BASIC PREMISE OF FINANCIAL AID

• Students and parents are the primary source of funds for post-secondary education and are expected to contribute to the extent they are able
• Financial Aid measures family ability, not willingness to pay for higher education.

HOW TO APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID:

• The first logical step to take is to fill out a form known as the "FAFSA." This form, once you fill it out completely and send it off, gives the government finance folks a chance to review your needs and to offer you some options regarding your eligibility for different types of aid. This final monetary figure is called "Expected Family Contribution" or "EFC". This is the amount you and your family are expected to pay for college.
• If you follow all the steps related to the FAFSA, you will receive a worksheet from them that indicates what type of aid for which you qualify. The most common categories include grants, loans, and possibly scholarships. Grants are often the most beneficial, for they don't have to be paid back. They are available to students who fit a certain profile that includes a good GPA, financial need, residency parameters, and acceptance to a qualifying school in California.
• This information is sent to each of the colleges or universities that you designate. From then on, the Financial Aid office at each college or university will determine what, if any, additional Financial Aid they can provide you.