US citizens and eligible noncitizens who wish to be considered for need-based financial aid are required to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) for the upcoming school year.

• How to Complete Your FAFSA - Click here to watch a video on how to complete your FAFSA.

*Dreamers/DACA students can complete the Dream Act Application for consideration for state and CCA institutional aid. Undocumented students can review this helpful information.

FAFSA Application Deadlines

• February 1: Undergraduate and graduate priority deadline for Fall admission
• March 2: Undergraduate deadline for the California State Grant Program

Applications received by the priority deadlines are given first consideration for CCA scholarships.

For merit scholarship deadlines, please contact the Office of Admissions. These deadlines do not apply to the Federal Pell Grant or the Federal Loan Programs.

To complete the FAFSA, you will use tax information from two years prior to the academic year you are interested in attending (i.e. 2021 tax information for the 2023-24 Academic Year)

The easiest and fastest way to enter your 2021 tax information is by using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.

Incoming/Admitted Students

Beginning in December, admitted undergraduate students are awarded on a rolling basis. Beginning in March, admitted graduate students are awarded on a rolling basis. Generally, students are awarded in the order the applications were submitted. Admitted students will receive an award letter in the mail and can view their award letter online through their CCA Undergraduate or Graduate Applicant Page.

Continuing Students

Financial aid award package for continuing students will be created during the Spring semester. You will receive an email from Workday when it's available for you to view through your Workday account.

Accept or Reject Awards

Once a new student has created a Workday account, they can view their awards and accept or reject their awards online. For step by step instructions, please go to Financial Aid Guide.

To see when you will receive your financial aid in full, see disbursement information.

Have you been selected for Verification?

If you have been selected for a review process called Verification, please check your Workday Inbox for missing action items. For more information on the verification process, please see our Verification Guide.

Incomplete documents or forms missing appropriate signatures will be returned to applicants for completion and may cause a delay in receiving your award letter. Please note: all forms must be physically or electronically signed and dated.

All CCA verification documents can be found here.

Provide Additional Documentation

Applicants may be asked to provide additional information or documentation to the Financial Aid Office. Applicants are advised to examine all documents to ensure accuracy before submission to the Financial Aid office. Please check your Workday Inbox for missing action items.

Applicants are encouraged to retain a copy of all documents for their personal records.