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How to Apply for Financial Aid

To apply for financial aid, students must complete one of two financial aid applications: the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA). Students interested in the California College Promise Grant (Fee Waiver) are encouraged to apply by submitting either a FAFSA or CADAA to be considered for all available financial aid.

Completing and submitting a FAFSA or CADAA is free—you should not pay anyone or any website to prepare it for you! The Financial Aid Office at Mt. SAC, like most colleges, offer free assistance completing a FAFSA or CADAA to students and the community. Visit a college’s Financial Aid Office to get more information.

    • FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

      To be eligible to file the FAFSA, students must:

      Students should fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as early as possible. Due to the major changes to the 2024-2025 FAFSA, the 2024-2025 FAFSA form will not be available until December 2023. Specific dates will be posted when available.

      1. The application can be completed online at FAFSA on the web. You will need the items listed below to complete the form. If you have questions, or want to know more about completing the FAFSA, visit the 8 Steps to Filling out the FAFSA guide.
        • Most recent federal tax returns and W-2 forms (yours and your parents' if you are considered a dependent student)
          1. 2022-2023 — You will need 2020 Federal Tax Returns and W-2s
          2. 2023-2024 — You will need 2021 Federal Tax Returns and W-2s
        • Your driver's license number (if applicable)
        • Your social security number
        • Your alien registration number (if applicable)
        • A Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID (one for you and one for your parents if you are considered a dependent student)
        • Mt. SAC School Code: 001245
      1. Within 2-3 business days, your submitted FAFSA will be processed and a Student Aid Report (SAR) will be available to download. To view your SAR, you will need to log back in to the FAFSA website using your FSA ID. Your SAR will list the information that you provided on the FAFSA, as well as an Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Mt. SAC also receives the report electronically, and once we do, we may request additional forms to complete your file. Check your SAR for accuracy. For corrections, return to the FAFSA website and make the changes immediately. Please allow at least five days for Mt. SAC to receive your corrected information. If no changes are needed, save the form for your records.
      2. Once you receive the SAR, view your application status to find the additional forms you may need to complete your file. Log in to your My Mt. SAC Portal, then choose the Financial Aid tab. Additional forms are listed under "Financial Aid Forms" in the box on the left-hand side of the screen.
      3. If your mailing address changes at any point during your time as an applicant or recipient of Financial Aid, log in to your My Mt. SAC Portal and update your mailing address.

      Completing the FAFSA

      Apply Now for the FAFSA

      What is the FAFSA?

      How Do I Create an FSA ID?

    • California Dream Act Application (CADAA)

      The California Dream Act makes certain undocumented students eligible for State financial aid. To be eligible to file a California Dream Act Application, students must:

      • Be a CA resident who meet the eligibility requirements for a non-resident exemption, and meet at least one of the following statuses:
        • Have an undocumented status
        • Have a valid or expired DACA
        • Be a U Visa holder
        • Have a temporary protected status (TPS)

      Students should complete a California Dream Act Application as early as possible. Like the FAFSA, the CADAA has also undergone major changes for the 2024-2025 aid year. Therefore, the 2024-2025 CADDA will not be available until December 2023. Specific dates will be posted when available.

      1. Fill out the California Dream Act Application.
        1. 2022-2023 — You will need 2020 Federal Tax Returns and W-2s
        2. 2023-2024 — You will need 2021 Federal Tax Returns and W-2s
        • Most recent tax returns and W-2 forms (yours and your parents' if you are under 24)
        • Your driver's license number (if applicable)
        • Mt. SAC School Code: 00124500
      2. Within 2-3 business days, your submitted CADAA will be processed and a CA Student Aid Report (CA-SAR) will be available to download. Mt. SAC also receives the report electronically, and once we do, we may request additional forms to complete your file. Check your CA-SAR for accuracy. For corrections, return to the California Dream Act website and make the changes immediately. Please allow at least five days for Mt. SAC to receive your corrected information. If no changes are needed, save the form for your records.
      3. Once you receive the CA-SAR, view your application status to find the additional forms you may need to complete your file. Log in to your My Mt. SAC Portal, then choose the Financial Aid tab. Additional forms are listed under "Financial Aid Forms" in the box on the left-hand side of the screen.
      4. If your mailing address changes at any point during your time as an applicant or recipient of Financial Aid, log in to your My Mt. SAC Portal and update your mailing address.

      Completing the CADAA

      Apply Now for the CADAA

      California Dream Act Eligibility

      How Do I Apply Under the California Dream Act?

    • California College Promise Grant (Fee Waiver)

      We encourage all of our students who are California residents to apply for the California College Promise Grant (CCPG), which waives enrollment fees and reduces the cost for health and parking fees. Eligible students who complete and submit the FAFSA or the CA Dream Act application will automatically be considered for the CCPG grant, in addition to other aid. Learn more about the California College Promise Grant (CCPG).

      Before you apply for the California College Promise Grant (Fee Waiver)

      • You must be a California resident.
      • If you completed and submitted the FAFSA or CA Dream Act application, you will automatically be considered for the California College Promise Grant (this is the RECOMMENDED method for consideration).

      How to apply for the California College Promise Grant (Fee Waiver)

      • Option One (RECOMMENDED OPTION) – Complete the FAFSA or the CA Dream Act application and eligible students are automatically considered for the CCPG grant, in addition to other aid.
          • The eligibility threshold through the FAFSA or CADAA is easier for many families to qualify without having to submit additional documents. About 70% of financial aid applicants qualify through this method.
      • Option Two – Submit a paper CCPG application to the designated Mt. SAC Financial Aid staff member with the following REQUIRED documentation:
        • If you (the student ONLY) are receiving monthly cash assistance for yourself or any dependents from TANF/CalWORKs, SSI/SSP (Supplemental Security Income/State Supplemental Program), and/or General Assistance – you must provide proof (i.e., copy of CA-7 with current or last month’s date, agency verification, etc.).
        • If you are a dependent student whose parent(s)/RDP are receiving monthly cash assistance from TANF/CalWORKs or SSI/SSP as a primary source of income – you must provide proof (i.e., copy of CA-7 with current or last month’s date, agency verification, etc.).
        • If you are eligible for a dependent's fee waiver, submit certification by the California Department of Veterans Affairs or the National Guard Adjutant General.
        • If you are eligible as a recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor or as a child of a recipient, submit documentation from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
        • If you are eligible as a dependent of a victim of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack, submit documentation from the CA Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board.
        • If you are eligible as a dependent of a deceased law enforcement/fire suppression personnel killed in the line of duty, submit documentation from the public agency employer of record.
        • If you are eligible based on established income standards, submit proof of income (federal tax return(s), W2s, or other income verification). If you qualify for independent status based on not being claimed on parent’s taxes, you must also provide a copy of parent tax returns showing you were not claimed as a dependent.

      Note: It is recommended that students apply for the CCPG prior to enrolling. You must reapply each year, beginning with the fall term. The CCPG will not be applied to courses dropped prior to Financial Aid receiving the application. If a student retroactively demonstrates eligibility for a fee waiver at any time during the academic year, the College may reimburse the student for the fees paid, even if one or more terms have been completed. Reimbursements may be paid to students only within the current academic year. There shall be no reimbursements after June 30 of the academic year. If a student becomes ineligible after receiving the CCPG, the college has the option of pursuing recovery of the ineligible fees.