Financial Aid Workshops and Drop-Ins
2026-2027 FAFSA/CADAA are now open!
Don’t delay, apply today!
- Deadline to apply for Financial Aid is 6/30/2026 for Fall '25, Spring '26 and Summer '26.
- It's not too late to apply for this year's Pell Grant, Work-Study, and Scholarships if you enrolled on time.
- The 2025-26 financial aid form provides potential coverage from July 2025 to July 2026.
Not sure which application to do?
Weekly Workshops & Assistance
Need assistance with completing your Financial Aid (FAFSA/CADAA), or support on your scholarship application? Attend one of our weekly in-person workshops:
- Tuesdays, 9:30am-11:am | Learning Center: Building 5, Room 105
- Wednesdays, 2pm-4pm | Learning Center: Building 5, Room B
- Fridays, 10am-12pm | Virtual: Join Friday Workshop on Zoom (Dec. 12 cancelled)
- At these workshops, you will receive assistance with your 2026–2027 FAFSA/CADAA and the SMCCCD General Scholarship Application
Upcoming Cash4College Workshops:
- Cash for College Webinars
- GO Public Schools Advocates host 2/9/26 Financial Aid Fundamentals - FAFSA and CADAA Made Clear
- Parent's Guide to Financial Aid (English | Spanish )
Important Information:
- FAFSA Required Info
- CADAA Required Info
- If you are Parent/Contributor without a social security number and have received your Contributor Invitation from FAFSA, view a step by step video in creating your FSA ID for the first time.
- Check unsatisfied requirements after you complete your FAFSA or CADAA
For further assistance with your FAFSA/ CADAA, please contact:
FAFSA
Live ChatWebsite: www.fafsa.gov
Phone: 1-800-433-3243
Email: studentaid@ed.gov
Operating Hours — M-F: 8am- 11pm, Sat-Sun: 11am- 5pm (Eastern Time)
CADAA
Website: https://dream.csac.ca.gov
Phone: 1-888-224-7268
Email: studentsupport@csac.ca.gov
Operating Hours — M-F: 8am - 4:45pm
Monthly Workshops
Financial Aid $coop: a monthly series of financial aid workshops covering a variety of important topics. All workshops will be held online. Check out the topics we will cover:
| Month | Workshop Topic | Theme / Focus |
|---|---|---|
|
Dec. 10-2pm-3pm |
SAP Survival Guide: How to Stay Eligible | Satisfactory Academic Progress rules & tips |
|
Jan. 22-2pm-3pm |
New Year, New Aid! Updating Your File & What to Expect | Mid-year updates, appeals, timeline for funds |
|
Feb. 26-2pm-3pm |
Special Circumstances 101: When Life Changes Your Aid | How to submit an appeal, income changes, family changes |
| Mar. 19-10am-11am | Loans: Borrow Smart (and Only What You Need!) | Federal loans, interest, repayment basics |
| April 23-10am-11am | Money Management for Students: Budgeting & Avoiding Debt | Financial wellness & budgeting tips |
|
May 4-10am-11am |
Summer Aid & Staying Covered Between Semesters | Summer enrollment aid, rules, deadlines |
|
June 18-2pm-3pm |
Transfer Tips: Keeping Your Financial Aid on Track | What happens to aid if transferring schools |
|
July 22-10am-11am |
The Bag Secured: Renewing your aid for next year | Renewal Checklist and Deadlines |