UNLOCK FREE MONEY FOR COLLEGE: TOP TIPS FOR FAFSA & CADAA
- M'Cheala Prince
- Mar 4
- 3 min read
Filling out the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) can feel overwhelming—deadlines, financial details, and the fear of making a mistake can leave students and families stressed. But what if you knew the biggest pitfalls to avoid and the smartest strategies to maximize your aid?
Whether you’re worried about eligibility, missing documents, or how your information is used, we’ve got you covered. In this blog, BLU's Senior College Success Coordinator M'Cheala Prince breaks down the top concerns students face and shares expert tips to help you submit your application with confidence—and get the most financial aid possible!
CONCERNS & TIPS
Why it's important to apply for financial aid
It is now a California State graduation requirement for all high school seniors to complete their financial aid application (FAFSA or CADAA). This application allows for college applicants to be awarded financial funding in order to afford college. Applying can assist students with the opportunity to receive financial grants and scholarships. Remember: Grants do NOT have to be paid back!
What information do I need to apply?
To apply for FAFSA you and your parents/contributors need to first create an FSA-ID (studentaid.gov). Students need to have a social security number (SSN) to apply for FAFSA. If you do not have an SSN you can apply for the CADAA. Contributors need to provide their prior-prior year taxes. For the application due this year, this would be the 2023 tax return.If you are a dependent student, you will need to provide your parent's personal information. If you do not provide this, you will not be eligible for aid.
Gather all necessary documents before starting to avoid delays.
Parents/Contributors Without a Social Security Number
If you have parents or a spouse who does not have a Social Security number, you may be facing a difficult decision about applying for financial aid this year. We want you to know that in California, you can still apply for financial aid and enroll in college.
For now, as a placeholder please complete the California Dream Act Application if you are experiencing concerns. Students, If you and your contributors/parents do not complete FAFSA you will not be eligible for Pell Grants (free money, the award is up to $7,395). Our advice is to determine which application is right for you and your family. We are here to support and assist as needed.
Benefits of Completing the California Dream Act (CADAA)
CADAA is an application created and maintained by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC), and they will only share your information with the college campuses you list on your application for the purposes of determining financial aid eligibility. CSAC does not share this data with the federal government or use it for immigration enforcement. When you choose to complete CADAA, you will be considered for all available state aid from the state of California and institutional aid from the college you plan to attend.
Concerns with the Federal Funding Freeze
The Trump administration froze all federal funding and new grant opportunities. The Department of Education has confirmed that the federal financial aid that goes to individual students, such as Federal Pell Grants and Direct Loans, are not impacted. BLU still wants to encourage students to continue completing their FAFSA and state financial aid forms such as CADAA. State financial aid should not be affected by this. As students complete their applications and receive award letters during the Spring, we anticipate that the freeze of federal funds will cease.
TOP TIP FOR MAXIMIZING COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID: FILE EARLY & ACCURATELY!
Many grants, scholarships, and work-study funds are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Submitting your FAFSA or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) as early as possible ensures you have access to the most aid available. Double-check your application for errors, use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) to import tax info accurately, and list all potential colleges you're considering—even if you're unsure where you'll attend. Missing deadlines or making mistakes could cost you thousands in free money! Make sure you submit your application by the California priority deadline (April 2nd) to ensure your best chance at securing the most aid possible.
TAKE THE NEXT STEP TODAY:
BLU is here to help you every step of the way. If you're ready to apply for financial aid, but not sure where to start join us at our next Senior Bootcamp on March 15 or fill out our College Advising Help Link and one of our college advisors will reach out to help you!
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