Education
Financial Aid Completion Resources for California Foster and Homeless Youth
2024-25 Resources
For students who have experienced foster care or homelessness, applying for financial aid can be confusing and overwhelming. These resources for both students and professionals take the mystery out of applying for and maintaining financial aid.
Resources for Students & Adult Supporters
Financial Aid Guide for California Foster and Unaccompanied Homeless Youth – This comprehensive guide begins with an explanation of the different types of financial aid available, offers helpful tips to completing the FAFSA/CADAA, describes key steps on what to do after the FAFSA/CADAA are submitted, and explains how to keep getting financial aid. [Updated November 2024.] Available in English and Spanish.
FAFSA Visual Guide for California Foster and Unaccompanied Homeless Youth – This guide is intended to complement the Financial Aid Guide for California Foster and Unaccompanied Homeless Youth with screenshots of the FAFSA and step-by-step detailed instructions. [Updated November 2024.]
California Dream Act Visual Guide for California Foster and Unaccompanied Homeless Youth –This guide is intended to complement the Financial Aid Guide for California Foster and Unaccompanied Homeless Youth with screenshots of the CADAA and step-by-step detailed instructions.
FAFSA/CADAA Webinar Training for Adult Supporters of Youth with Experience in Foster Care or with Homelessness – This is a “how-to” webinar designed to assist those working with foster youth and unaccompanied homeless youth to successfully complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA). [Updated November 2024.]
High School Counselor FAFSA/CADAA Toolkits – These toolkits are designed to support high school counselors working with students with experience in foster care or homelessness in completing their FAFSA/CADAA applications. The toolkits provides a step-by-step checklist, resources, and key definitions to support counselors in connecting students to critical financial aid. [Updated November 2024.]
Community College for Foster Youth Marketing Toolkit – This toolkit contains marketing materials to promote enrollment in community college and expanded financial aid opportunities for foster youth attending community college, including the new Student Success Completion Grant. The toolkit includes two fliers (one-page and two-page versions) and accompanying social media posts and videos.
Student Spotlights – Learn more about completing the FAFSA, the types of aid available, and the steps to maintaining financial aid from a student’s perspective.
CalKIDS – This promotional flyer provides an overview of CalKIDS, California’s college savings account program. CalKIDS provides up to $1,500 in free money for eligible public school students with experiance in foster care or homelessness to save for college and career training.
