Seniors are nearing the end of college application season, and the March 2 state priority deadline for financial aid is looming. As tuition costs across the country continue to rise, the thought of paying for college can feel overwhelming, but there are many resources available to lessen the financial burden.
How to apply for aid:
For most students, the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the primary form used to access financial aid. FAFSA is a U.S. Government-run application that determines eligibility for federal aid, including loans, work study programs, and Pell Grants. This aid is typically accepted at most public and private institutions.
The form opens on October 1 the year before the year the aid would be for and closes on June 30 at the end of that academic year. For example, the FAFSA for the 2026-2027 school year opened on October 1, 2025, and will close on June 30, 2027. However, most schools require you to submit the form by an earlier date to be considered for aid, so make sure to check each school’s specifications. The March 2 state priority deadline applies to all state financial aid programs, including the Cal Grant, as well as institutional aid for UCs and CSUs.
Many private colleges and universities use another more detailed form called the CSS profile, which is administered by College Board to determine eligibility for institutional aid. There is an initial $25 submission fee as well as an additional $16 for each school, but fee waivers are available for families making under $100,000 a year. Similar to the FAFSA, each school has an individual priority deadline.
While the FAFSA and CSS are limited to U.S. citizens, there are still several viable options available to undocumented students. Programs like the California Dream Act (CADAA) allow students to apply for state funded grants and receive instate tuition at public colleges, even without federal eligibility. Additionally, most private colleges award institutional funds without requiring specific residency paperwork. There are also many private scholarships open to everyone.
Types of aid:
All financial aid is either need-based or merit-based. Need-based aid is awarded according to a family’s ability to pay for college, which is calculated by the FAFSA and CSS. Merit-based aid can come from institutions or private organizations based on a student’s academics, athletic ability, or other talents.
Grants are money that typically does not have to be paid back and are mostly need-based. Students are automatically considered for federal grants like the Pell Grant and state grants like the Cal Grant upon submitting the FAFSA or CADAA, and those forms will determine eligibility. Individual schools may offer institutional grants as well.
Loans must be paid back later with an interest rate. They can either come from the federal government through the direct loan program or from private organizations. Private loans tend to have more specific terms and be more expensive, so it is often recommended to start with federal loans.
Work-study allows the student to work a part time job, usually on campus, to pay off part of the cost of attendance. Students must demonstrate financial need through the FAFSA to qualify for federal work study.
Scholarships can be merit-based, need-based, or both, and they can be awarded by individual schools or private organizations. There is a wide range of available scholarships for different demographics, interest areas, and other specifications, all with varying award amounts. Many resources and websites are available to search for scholarships, such as the U.S. Department of Labor’s scholarship search, BigFuture, and the College and Career Center here at Tech.
As college is becoming more and more expensive, more opportunities are arising to make higher education more accessible to everyone. Regardless of a student’s background or status, there are many ways to overcome financial barriers. If you have any more questions regarding the financial aid process, the College and Career Center is available in the basement to help.