To apply for federal student aid, such as federal grants, work-study, and loans, you need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Completing and submitting the FAFSA is free. It gives you access to the largest source of financial aid to pay for college or career school. In addition, many states and colleges use your FAFSA information to determine your eligibility for state and school aid. Even if a family’s income is too high for need-based aid, the student may qualify for scholarships, work-study, or low interest student loans.

The 2025-2026 FAFSA is projected to be available on December 1, 2024. The priority deadline for California is March 3, 2025 (this date is subject to change). Please check with your college(s) for specific deadlines that may differ from the state deadline.

Get started now by visiting https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa

The California Dream Act allows undocumented and nonresident students (U.S. Citizens and eligible non-citizens) who qualify for a non-resident exemption under Assembly Bill 540 (AB 540) to receive certain types of financial aid such as: private scholarships funded through public universities, state administered financial aid, university grants, community college fee waivers, and Cal Grants. In addition, the California Dream Act, allows eligible students to pay in-state tuition at any public college in California.

Get started now by visiting https://dream.csac.ca.gov/

Students should only complete one of the applications (not both), according to the citizenship requirements below:

1. You are eligible to complete the FAFSA at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa if you are a:
- U.S Citizen
- Permanent Resident
- Eligible non-citizen
- T Visa holder

2. You are eligible to complete the CADAA at https://dream.csac.ca.gov if you are:
- Undocumented
- Have a valid or expired DACA
- U Visa holders
- Have Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
- Meet the non-resident exemption requirements under AB 540 

The State of California provides aid for students through its Cal Grant program.

To qualify, you must complete the FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application by the deadline and meet the eligibility and financial requirements, as well as any minimum GPA requirements. Cal Grants can be used at any University of California, California State University or California Community College, as well as qualifying independent and career colleges or technical schools in California.

There are three kinds of Cal Grants — A, B and C — but you don’t have to figure out which one to apply for. Your eligibility will be based on your FAFSA or CADAA responses, your verified Cal Grant GPA, the type of California colleges you list on your FAFSA and whether you’re a recent high school graduate. 

Please note that LVJUSD submits the Cal Grant GPAs for all seniors to the California Student Aid Commission. Students do not need to submit a GPA verification form. Your Cal Grant GPA is not your cumulative GPA that you see on your transcript. Click here to learn more about how a Cal Grant GPA is calculated.

Are you wondering if your Cal Grant GPA has been received by the Commission? After you have filed a FAFSA or CADAA, you can go on-line and check the status of your Cal Grant application by logging on to WebGrants for Students and creating an account.

For more information about Cal Grants, please visit https://www.csac.ca.gov/cal-grants

Livermore High School Financial Aid Night / Slide Deck

Federal Student Aid YouTube Channel

A step-by-step guide to completing the 2024-25 FAFSA questions by Sallie Mae

CADAA Line-by-Line Webinar

Cash for College Free Workshops

Net Price Calculator - get a more accurate estimate of your real cost by using the net price calculator provided on each college's website.

The CSS Profile is an additional financial aid application form used by many private colleges and universities in the United States in addition to the FAFSA. It is administered by the College Board. Unlike the FAFSA, which is used primarily for federal financial aid programs, the CSS Profile is used by colleges to determine eligibility for institutional and private financial aid. This includes grants, scholarships, need-based aid, and sometimes merit-based aid offered directly by the college or university.

Find out which colleges require the CSS Profile and get started by visiting https://cssprofile.collegeboard.org/.

Compare your financial aid offers with this free tool, please click here.

The Pedrozzi Foundation provides college and vocational scholarships and resources to Livermore students. Scholarship applications are available in January, each year. For more information about Pedrozzi and to apply for Pedrozzi scholarships, please click here.  

The College Board Opportunity Scholarships guide you through the college planning process and offer you a chance to earn money for college for each action you complete. Complete each action for a chance to earn scholarships. Click here for more information about the College Board Opportunity Scholarship.

Assistance for dependents of veterans. Click here for more information.

The Student Education Loan Fund (SELF) provides interest-free loans for current Livermore residents and graduates from Livermore's high schools of any age. Click here for more information and to apply.

Assistance may include reduced Test Fees for AP & IB Exams. Click Here for more information
Link to Application: Meal Application