Submit Your FAFSA

Submit Your FAFSA or CA Dream Act: One Month Left!

February 10, 2017

Hello Students and Mentors!

Submit Your Fafsa or Dream Act Applications!

It is already the first week of February which means there is less than a month left for the March 2 FAFSA/CA Dream Act deadline. Remember, for most private institutions, the CSS PROFILE is also required as part of your financial aid application. Also, deadlines for other financial aid documents (e.g. tax returns) typically fall in February. Please be sure to check with private institutions for specific deadlines as they vary.

Over the next month, admission decisions will be available. Before submitting an intent of enrollment at any college or university, it is important to wait until you have received an admission decision and a Financial Aid Award Letter from all the colleges and universities you applied to . Carlos and Michelle will be going more in depth about this information within the next few weeks.

We will have a field-trip to visit UCI and Cal State Dominguez Hills, more details bellow. Do not forget to RSVP.

Finally, continue applying to scholarships and check out the new scholarships that we have added this week.

I AM Staff

Scholarships
CSUs: What to do after you apply?
I AM Fieldtrip
CSU Placement Test: EPT and ELM
UCs: What to do after you apply?
What will you Need to file the FAFSA?
The CA Dream Act, what do you need to know?
Difference Between CSS Profile & FAFSA
Spotlight on:
- Understanding DACA and the Implications for Higher Education
- Mistakes to avoid during your senior year!
- The university as a sanctuary

Quick Links

Scholarship Highlight	Maldef Various Scholarships	Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Make it a habit to apply to scholarships throughout your college career!	Amount: Varies Deadline: Varies	Amount: Varies Available: January 6, 2016

I AM Field-Trip to UCI and Cal State Dominguez Hills

Are you considering UCI or Cal State Dominguez Hills as your school for Fall 2017?

Join us for a tour of both campuses!--transportation and lunch will be provided!

When: 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday, April 10, 2017

Where: USC campus (drop-off and pick-up)

CSUs: What to do after you apply?

Print a copy of your application confirmation: Applicants should keep a record of their application ID number for their reference
Apply to EOP: Make sure your letters of recommendation were submitted for your EOP application
Order test score reports: Applicants should submit official ACT and SAT reports by the end of December
Activate your student's portal
Check your e-mail constantly
If you can, visit the campuses that you applied to

CSU Placement Test: EPT and ELM

The CSU requires you to take the English Placement Test (EPT) and the Entry-Level Mathematics Test

(ELM) before you enroll. Your scores will determine which Math and English courses you should take to

begin your career at CSU. These tests are not an admission requirement. However, they are a

requirement for enrollment.

If you are not exempt from taking the EPT or the ELM, make sure to register for a test no longer than

May 1.

You may be exempt from taking the EPT and/or ELM;

click here to check the exception guidelines.

For test locations and dates and to register for the EPT and ELM, click here.

UCs: What to do after you apply?

Print a copy of your application confirmation: Applicants should keep a record of their application ID number for their reference
Order test score reports: Applicants should submit official ACT and SAT reports by the end of December.
IMPORTANT: To expedite the delivery of these test scores, UC does not recommend applicants to to use the ACT Priority Reporting or College Board's Score Choice function or Rush delivery. If you have your official score reports, send it to one campus and it will be available to all the campuses that you applied
Update your Application: Students can log in to their application and, if necessary, update their telephone numbers, e-mail address, mailing address, or ACT/SAT Test scores. If there are changes to the student's academic record or other parts of the application, please click here for instructions.
Await for a Decision

What will you Need to file the FAFSA?

Your Social Security Number (And your parent's, if they have one)
Your Alien Registration Number (if you are not a U.S. citizen)
Your parents' or legal guardian's most recent tax returns, W-2s or other records of money earned
Bank statements and records of investments, if applicable)
Records of untaxed income, if applicable
The student must register or be registered with the Selective Service, if the student is male, at least 18 years old, and born after December 31, 1959
A FSA ID is needed to sign electronically

The CA Dream Act, what do you need to know?

Not a use citizen or permanent resident? You still may qualify for financial aid due to recent changes in California law. You could be eligible if:

You attended a California high school for at least three years, and
You graduated or will graduate from high school (or the equivalent) in California

Students holding most nonimmigrant visas (e.g., F or J) are not eligible.

Documents needed to File the CA Dream Act:

W-2 Form(s) and other records of income
Most recent income tax return
Records of child support, if applicable
Records of student scholarship and fellowships included in your parents taxes, if applicable
Current bank statements
Current investment or business records, if applicable
Current business and farm records, if applicable
Proof of any untaxed income, if applicable

Difference Between CSS Profile & FAFSA

The CSS PROFILE is administered by the College Board, a nonprofit organization, while the FAFSA is administered by the federal government

Since the CSS PROFILE is not a federal government document, it will inform you of all the non-federal financial assistance you are eligible for (i.e., loans, scholarships, grants, etc.). The CSS PROFILE is available for submission as early as the fall of each year, while the FAFSA cannot be submitted until October 1

The CSS PROFILE focuses more on your family's assets while the FAFSA focuses on your family's annual income

The FAFSA does not take minimum student contribution into account, while the CSS PROFILE does

One of the most significant differences between the two forms is cost. The FAFSA is completely free whereas the CSS PROFILE carries fees. The CSS PROFILE charges a one-time $25 application fee; this $25 fee includes sending the report to one college. CSS charges $16 for sending the report to each additional college. Do not let these fees scare you away from filling out the CSS PROFILE. There are fee waivers available.

Mistakes to avoid during your senior year!	Understanding DACA and the Implications for Higher Education	The University as a Sanctuary
Your senior year still counts; so stay focused! Colleges and Universities check your second semester of your senior year. Here are some DO NOT DOs during your senior year.	Check our lasts publication on DACA and its implications for higher education.	In what follows, we first offer a brief overview of what the traditional understanding of a sanctuary has been and consider the current calls for colleges and universities to become sanctuaries.

	I AM Schools
* Ambassador School of Global Leadership * Belmont High School * Downtown Magnets HS * Fremont High School	* Manual Arts High School * Marshall High School * Roosevelt High School * Roybal High School	* Santee Education Complex * West Adams Preparatory High School