Additional Financial Aid Resources and Student Financial Aid Overview

1. Federal Financial Aid
   
   Type: Pell Grant, Work-Study Job, Subsidized/Unsubsidized Stafford & Direct Loan, Perkins Loan, Parent PLUS loan.
   
   How to Apply:
   
   Complete the 2008-2009 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). File FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov or use the paper FAFSA form available at your school after January 1, 2008. The FAFSA filing period begins January 1, 2008.
2. State Financial Aid
   
   Type: Cal Grant
   
   How to Apply:
   
   First, complete the 2008-2009 FAFSA. The California Student Aid Commission will electronically retrieve the income figures off of the Federal FAFSA form to determine if the student is eligible for a Cal Grant. Next, the student must complete the Cal Grant / GPA Verification Form. Generally this form is available at schools in January. The filing period begins January 1, 2008. A school official must sign and verify the student's GPA on the form and then the student sends it in to the Cal Grant office. Cal Grants are restricted to California residents who attend a California vocational school or college. Some high schools will report all senior GPA's to the Cal Grant office as a group; check at your high school to see if your school uses the group reporting method, or if you should do the individual Cal Grant form yourself.
3. Institutional Financial Aid
   
   Type: Scholarship, Grant, and Loan from the Institution (college or university).
   
   How to Apply: Students should inquire of the financial aid office at each college they are interested in -- "Do you have applications for other student aid that is awarded by the school?" Also, many private colleges require students to complete an independent financial aid form called 'CSS Profile'. The college financial aid office will inform the student if the Profile form is required, and usually the student must pay a fee to file the 'CSS Profile' form.
4. Outside Agency Financial Aid
   
   Type: Scholarships, Grants, and Loans from private and community organizations.
   
   How to Apply:
   
   Eligible students should apply to groups like Community Foundation Sonoma County and any other organizations that send notices to the high school or college counseling office. In addition, all students should complete an internet scholarship search by using the list of helpful financial aid and scholarship search website links at Community Foundation Sonoma County’s website. Go to the Financial Aid Links page.

Financial Aid Information

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