Planning Tools & Resources

Attending a college, university, career or technical school can be expensive. About three‐quarters of all students get some type of financial assistance. However, there are many financial aid resources available to achieve your post secondary goals, including:

• Federal or California grants;
• Scholarships through your parents’ employers, religious groups, private clubs, lodges, businesses, foundations, unions, community groups, private individuals, and various organizations. They can be based on such things as academic merit, SAT or ACT scores, competitive essay, field of study, special talent, ethnicity, leadership ability, community service activities, and athletics. Determine what are the terms and conditions to renew the scholarship (i.e. GPA);
• Loans;
• Work study programs; and
• Tuition reimbursement programs from part‐time employers (for example, Bank of America and Starbucks).

It is never too early for you to explore the opportunities for financial aid while in high school. Getting these financial resources requires some research. Most financial aid is based on your need, not your academic performance. Talk to your high school and career counselors for assistance. Some of this financial aid is given on a first‐come, first served basis.

It is important for you to fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or other required forms prior to deadline dates. In this way, colleges determine what type of financial aid you are entitled to as well as your family’s contribution. The FAFSA can be filled out online. An on‐line calculator (FAFSA4caster) has been developed to assist families in financial planning for federal student aid (see Web Resources). Colleges offer different packages and amounts of financial aid. Compare the offers of financial aid from various schools. Accept the right one for you. In some cases, it may be possible to negotiate with a college of your choice for a better offer

Start early to open a tax‐free “college savings account” (529 Plan). Talk to your local banker, credit union representative, or financial planner for details.

Get help from your student’s school counselor about financial aid information. Be sure to attend all financial aid and college programs offered by your high school. Talk to friends and relatives whose children have attended college or vocational schools.

Be careful to meet all deadlines regarding financial information, loans, or scholarships. Missing a deadline may mean not getting well‐deserved financial assistances for your student.

Negotiate with college financial aid officers and loan officers providing assistance. This could reduce the cost of your student’s education. Your financial situation could have recently changed.

Be aware that there may be an Expected Family Contribution. This contribution is calculated by the government using various factors based on your student’s FAFSA. These include looking at your family size, income, assets, age of mother and father, and number of family members in college. The Expected Family Contribution is reported on the Student AID Report (SAR) which is received several weeks after completing the FAFSA. The contribution the same for all schools, no matter what the cost are to attend the school. Be aware that financial need is determined by subtracting the difference between what it costs to attend college or vocational school and what the government determines your family can afford.

If you have to pay to get money for financial aid, it is probably a scam. Every year students and parents are cheated out of more than $100 million dollars. According to the Federal Trade Commission, common signs of a scam which you should watch out for include:

• Companies or organizations using names such as “National,” “Federal,” “Foundation,” or “Administration.”
• “There is a scholarship application fee.”
• “This scholarship is guaranteed or your money back.”
• “You can’t get this information anywhere else.”
• “May I have your credit card number, social security number, ATM pin number, or bank account number to hold this scholarship?”
• “We’ll do ALL the work for you.”
• “This scholarship may cost you some money.”
• “You’ve been selected by a foundation to receive a scholarship,” OR “You’re a finalist” in a contest in which you NEVER entered.

There are numerous free services available online (see Web Resources). Be a smart consumer! Never pay money to get money.

Many colleges, universities and private scholarship programs collect additional information to assist in the awarding of aid through non-federal financial aid programs. In particular, many private colleges require the CSS/PROFILE in addition to the FAFSA and some require that their own financial aid forms are submitted as well. If you are applying to one or more colleges on the CSS Code List (included in PROFILE registration material), you should complete both the FAFSA and PROFILE.

Please check with individual colleges for deadline dates.

• College Board
• CSS PROFILE

In addition to Federal Student Aid, California also provides grants. Every high school senior who graduates, meets academic, financial and eligibility requirements, and applies on time, is guaranteed a Cal Grant award to attend college. In other words, this is free money. It costs nothing for you to apply and does not have to be repaid!

Complete and submit the FAFSA. The GPA Verification required by Cal Grant is submitted electronically by Ms. Lim in the CHS Main Office unless the student has requested to opt out. 

All Cal Grants Applicants must:

• Be a high school graduate or graduate from high school in 2014
• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen.
• Have a Social Security Number.
• Be a California resident.
• Attend a qualifying California School.
• Meet U.S. Selective Service Requirements, if required
• Be enrolled at least half-time.
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress.
• Have family income and assets below the established figures set each year.
• Not be in default of any student loan.
• Not owe any federal or state grant refunds.
• File the FAFSA and GPA Verification Form by the March 2 deadline.

Important Websites:

California Student Aid Commission http://www.csac.ca.gov/

Cal Grants http://www.calgrants.org/

Cupertino High School’s Guidance Office maintains a scholarship file in the Naviance document library. Contact your Guidance Counselor or College Career Advisor via e-mail if you need your log-in. Each student has a Naviance account and parents can access the information by using their student's log-in information.

• Naviance - under the College tab => Scholarship List
• Fastweb - National database of scholarships
• Writing Competitions for College Money
• Database of colleges offering merit aid - see details of merit aid programs at any school

• www.bigfuture.collegeboard.org/pay-for-college provides helpful information about various ways to pay for college.
• www.finaid.org offers an overall look at financial aid, where to look for it and how to get it.
• www.californiacashforcollege.org lists free Cash for College workshops in your area where you and your parents can get help filling out the FAFSA. You may even win an additional $1,000 scholarship at a Cash for College workshop.
• www.icanaffordcollege.com for information on California Community Colleges and other kinds of financial aid.
• www.edfund.org for planning for college and managing a student loan.
• www.chafee.csac.ca.gov provides information on this exciting opportunity for foster youth and former foster youth.
• www.californiacolleges.edu makes finding and applying to a school in California a no-brainer.
• www.scholarshare.com provides valuable information about college savings opportunities.
• www.studentaid.ed.gov provides information from the U.S. Department of Education.
• www.going2college.org to learn about the college and financial aid resources available in each state.
• www.latinocollegedollars.org provides a scholarship directory for latino students.
• www.HealthJobsStartHere.com will introduce you to good jobs in healthcare that could be the right fit for you.
• www.whodouwant2b.com helps determine what courses to take in high school and community college.