Univision Financial Aid Call-In Program
Univision's phone bank
The Sallie Mae Fund joined forces with Univision 34, the Los Angeles affiliate of the Spanish-language television network, to answer questions from Latino families about planning and paying for college.
Para obtener información en Español, haga clic aquí.
Financial Aid Information for California Students
I live in California. What type of state aid is available residents?
Residents of California can apply for California grants: Cal Grant A, B, and C. The requirements for Cal Grants are:
- Submit the FAFSA and your verified Cal Grant GPA by the deadline (March 2)
- Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen (your parents do not need to be citizens or eligible noncitizens)
- Be a California resident when you graduated from high school
- Have a Social Security number
- Attend a qualifying California college
- Not have a bachelor's or professional degree (except for Cal Grant A and B extended awards for a teaching credential program)
- Have financial need based on your college costs
- Have family income and assets below the established ceilings
- Meet any minimum GPA requirements
- Be in a program leading to an undergraduate degree or certificate
- Be enrolled at least half time
- Have registered with U.S. Selective Service (most males)
- Not owe a refund on a state or federal grant, or be in default on a student loan
Visit www.calgrants.org and click on “En Español” in the top right corner.
The California Chafee Grant Program gives money to foster youth and former foster youth to use for career and technical training or college courses. You do not have to pay this money back as long as you are in school, and you can use it for things like child care, transportation, and rent. Undocumented students who are unable to complete a FAFSA are eligible to apply for Chafee. Have your school contact the Commission for further instructions. Visit www.chafee.csac.ca.gov.
It is after the deadline for the California Grant (March 2). Is it too late? Should I even bother filling out the FAFSA?
Yes, you should definitely fill out the FAFSA. Although it may be too late to qualify for the Cal Grant, you may still receive federal or institutional aid. Also, if you are planning on attending a community college, you may still be eligible for a second, more competitive Cal Grant selection process. Deadline to enter FAFSA and verified California GPA for this is September 2.
I am not a U.S. citizen or legal resident. Can I still go to college?
Yes. Under state law approved in 2002, immigrant students can receive in-state tuition at public state colleges and universities (community colleges, CSU, and UC) if:
- They have attended a California high school for at least three years,
- They have graduated from a California high school or received the equivalent (GED), and
- They will file an affidavit with the college or university stating that they will apply for permanent residency as soon as they are eligible.
I am a U.S. citizen or legal resident but my parent is not. How do I fill out their portion of the FAFSA form?
The student fills out the form as usual. When it comes time to enter the parents’ Social Security numbers, enter 000-00-0000. Since the parent cannot receive an electronic PIN, print out the parent signature page and mail this in.
More Resources
Financial Aid Resources in California
First in My Family Scholarship Program for Hispanic Students
Community College Transfer Scholarship Program for Hispanic Students
Educación a tu Alcance (PDF, 14.7 MB) This guide from The Sallie Mae Fund is the first comprehensive book on financial aid ever created for Spanish-speaking families.
The Top 10 Tips for College Admissions and Financial Aid — including valuable links to dozens of Web sites with admissions and financial aid advice — are available in English (PDF, 38 KB) and Spanish (PDF, 39 KB) from The Sallie Mae Fund.
Latino College Dollars
This scholarship directory contains information on more than 300 scholarships targeting Latino students. Scholarship listings are categorized by education level, deadline, minimum GPA, by whether citizenship is required, as well as by region. A guide on how to apply for scholarships in both Spanish and English is also included in the directory. Published by the Tomás Rivera Policy Institute and made possible with grants from The Sallie Mae Fund, The John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation, and The Walt Disney Company, the directory also may be searched online at www.latinocollegedollars.org.
Saving for College (PDF, 4.95 MB)
"Saving for College: What You Can Do Today to Cover Your College Costs" is an easy-to-read introduction to savings tools for families preparing to make the investment in higher education. This four-page resource from The Sallie Mae Fund offers parents and students tips on smart saving strategies and a brief description of the financial tools available, including 529 college savings plans, pre-paid tuition plans, and college rewards programs.
