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鈥攜ou 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鈥檚 Financial Aid Office to get more information.
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- FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
FAFSA Simplification Updates 鈥� 2025鈥�2026 Academic Year
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) has undergone major changes under the FAFSA Simplification Act, designed to make the process easier, more transparent, and more equitable for students and families.
Key Updates for 2025鈥�2026
- The FAFSA is expected to open in December 2024 (instead of the traditional October 1 launch date).
- The new form features fewer questions and a more streamlined experience.
- The term Expected Family Contribution (EFC) has been replaced with the Student Aid Index (SAI), which provides a more accurate reflection of a family鈥檚 financial situation.
- Applicants will use 2023 federal tax information, which for most individuals will be automatically transferred through the IRS Direct Data Exchange (DDX)鈥攔eplacing the older IRS Data Retrieval Tool. If the transfer of tax data is unsuccessful, applicants will still have the option to manually enter their income and tax information.
- Each contributor (student, parent, or spouse) will need their own FSA ID to access and provide financial information securely.
How to Apply for FAFSA 2025鈥�2026
To be eligible to file the FAFSA, students must:
- Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
- Be enrolled or planning to enroll in an eligible degree or certificate program
Students should complete the FAFSA as early as possible once the form becomes available. Specific release dates will be announced by the U.S. Department of Education and posted on the Mt. SAC Financial Aid website when confirmed.
Most recent federal tax returns and W-2 forms (yours and your parents' if you are considered a dependent student)
- 2025-2026 鈥� You will need 2023 Federal Tax Returns and W-2s
- 2026-2027 鈥� You will need 2024 Federal Tax Returns and W-2s
What You鈥檒l Need
- 2023 Federal Tax Returns and W-2 Forms (for you and your parents if you are considered a dependent student)
- Social Security Number
- Driver鈥檚 License Number (if applicable)
- Alien Registration Number (if applicable)
- FSA ID for each contributor (student and parent)
- Mt. SAC School Code: 001245
Steps After Submission
- Processing Time
Within 2鈥�3 business days, your FAFSA will be processed, and you will receive a FAFSA Submissions Summary. Mt. SAC will also receive your FAFSA electronically. - Review Your Information
Log back into the FAFSA website using your FSA ID to review your FAFSA Submissions Summary. Make sure all information is correct. If changes are needed, update your FAFSA immediately. Please allow at least five days for Mt. SAC to receive your corrected data. - Check Your Financial Aid Status
Log into your and select the Financial Aid tab. Any additional forms needed to complete your file will appear under 鈥�Financial Aid Forms.鈥� - Keep Your Contact Information Updated
If your mailing address or contact information changes, update it in your to ensure you receive all communications and notifications.
What is the FAFSA?
How Do I Create an FSA ID?
- California Dream Act Application (CADAA)
The California Dream Act allows certain undocumented and nonresident students to qualify for state financial aid, including Cal Grants, the California College Promise Grant (CCPG), and other state-funded programs. 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 2025-2026 CADDA will not be available until December 2023. Specific dates will be posted when available.
- Fill out the California Dream Act Application.
- 2025-2026 鈥� You will need 2023 Federal Tax Returns and W-2s
- 2026-2027 鈥� You will need 2024 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
- Within 2-3 business days, your submitted CADAA will be processed and a California Student Aid Report (CAL 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 CAL-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.
- Once you receive the CAL 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.
- 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.
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 or 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) 鈥� 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 鈥� 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 鈥� you must provide proof (i.e., copy of CA-7 with current or last month鈥檚 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 鈥� you must provide proof (i.e., copy of CA-7 with current or last month鈥檚 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鈥檚 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.
- FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)