Applying for Financial Aid: Step by Step

      Apply online at www.fafsa.ed.gov between January 1 and March 2. 

2)    Get a PIN (Personal Identification Number) at www.pin.ed.gov . The student needs a PIN and his or her parent needs a separate PIN.  The PIN is a four-digit number that acts as an online signature and access code for online FAFSA.

3)    Apply for a Cal Grant by March 2: check with high school counselor about which process used by high school to submit students’ Cal Grant information.

4)    Review Student Aid Report (SAR): this is e-mailed/mailed after the FAFSA is submitted and is a summary of the information provided on the FAFSA.  Make changes as necessary and re-submit.

5)    Apply for Scholarships: students should ask local organizations, businesses, and colleges about scholarships. Many scholarship sites are online, but students should never pay for scholarship help!

6)    Check with each college’s financial aid office to see if they require other forms or applications (especially private/ independent colleges).

7)    Evaluate all student aid offers from colleges and respond in timely manner.

8)    Reapply each year!  Students must do a FAFSA renewal each year in college.