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Don Antonio Lugo High

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Financial aid helps make college and career education more affordable by providing students with grants, scholarships, work-study opportunities, and low-interest loans that help cover the cost of tuition, books, and other educational expenses. Exploring scholarship and financial aid opportites and completing the financial aid applications can open the door to opportunities that make postsecondary education more accessible, allowing students to focus on achieving their goals and pursuing the future they envision. Take the time to take a look!

The U.S. Department of Education offers a variety of federal grants to students attending four-year colleges or universities, community colleges, and career schools. 

Grants can be California-specific financial aid allocation that does not need to be repaid. Eligibility is based on a student’s Free Application for Federal Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act application, verified Cal Grant grad point average (GPA), the type of California college listed on the applicant’s application, and status of a recent high school graduate. 

There are three categories for Cal Grants: A, B, and C.

Many non-profit and private organizations offer scholarships to assist students with paying for college or career school. This type of free money can be based on academic merit, talent, or a particular area of study. 

A loan is money an applicant borrows and is required to repay. If a student applies for financial aid, they may qualify for a loan as part of their school’s financial aid offer. 

  • Subsidized Loans: Borrowers are not charged interest while they are enrolled in school. Borrowers begin repaying the principal – and any new interest that accrues after the grace period – six months after they graduate, drop below half-time enrollment, or leave school.
  • Unsubsidized Loans: Loans are available to both undergraduate and graduate students. Interest begins to accrue immediately after the funds are disbursed. 

The Federal Work-Study Program allows students to earn money to pay for school by working part-time. Students will earn at least the current federal minimum wage. However, they have the opportunity to earn more than the minimum depending on the type of work they do and the skills required for the position. 

  • The U.S. Department of Education offers a variety of federal grants to students attending four-year colleges or universities, community colleges, and career schools. 

    Grants can be California-specific financial aid allocation that does not need to be repaid. Eligibility is based on a student’s Free Application for Federal Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act application, verified Cal Grant grad point average (GPA), the type of California college listed on the applicant’s application, and status of a recent high school graduate. 

    There are three categories for Cal Grants: A, B, and C.

  • Many non-profit and private organizations offer scholarships to assist students with paying for college or career school. This type of free money can be based on academic merit, talent, or a particular area of study. 

  • A loan is money an applicant borrows and is required to repay. If a student applies for financial aid, they may qualify for a loan as part of their school’s financial aid offer. 

    • Subsidized Loans: Borrowers are not charged interest while they are enrolled in school. Borrowers begin repaying the principal – and any new interest that accrues after the grace period – six months after they graduate, drop below half-time enrollment, or leave school.
    • Unsubsidized Loans: Loans are available to both undergraduate and graduate students. Interest begins to accrue immediately after the funds are disbursed. 

  • The Federal Work-Study Program allows students to earn money to pay for school by working part-time. Students will earn at least the current federal minimum wage. However, they have the opportunity to earn more than the minimum depending on the type of work they do and the skills required for the position. 

FAFSA and CADAA

  • The Free Application for Federal Aid (FAFSA) form is an application for federal student aid. Students must complete the FAFSA form to apply for federal student aid such as federal grants, work-study funds, and loans. Completing and submitting the FAFSA form is free and gives applicants access to the largest source of federal student aid to help them pay for college, a career, or trade school. 

    FAFSA Information and Website

     

  • The California Dream Act allows nonresident students who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents and nonresident U.S. citizens who meet AB 540 eligibility the opportunity to apply for in-state financial aid and fee waivers. 

    Applicants are not required to be a DACA recipient to qualify for the California Dream Act. 

    Assembly Bill 540 (AB 540) is a California state law that allows nonresident students who meet specific requirements to receive a tuition fee waiver so they pay the same in-state tuition and fees as students with California residency. 

Scholarship Opportunities & Search Engines