FAFSA and CADAA - Cash for College
CUHSD hosts Cash 4 College and Financial Aid workshops with application support open to all district families. At the Cash 4 College workshops families will receive one to one support from trained financial aid professionals to complete the FAFSA or CADAA. Financial Aid Nights are where families receive information regarding financial aid. The 2026-2027 FAFSA application opens October 1, 2025.
What To Bring to Financial Aid Night:
Bring your computer or notebook
What To Bring to Cash 4 College:
Computer or tablet (please make sure it is charged)
FSA ID (For FAFSA filers ONLY)
Driver's License, if you have one
Social Security Card, if you have one
Alien Registration Card, if you have one
ITIN, if you have one
List of Colleges you are interested in
Most current bank statements
Any records of untaxed income
Prior-prior year tax information (1040s and W2s)
2025-2026 FAFSA/CADAA for College Workshops
Financial Aid Presentations
| School | Location | Date | Time | Language |
| Del Mar High School | Cafeteria | September 16, 2025 | 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm | English |
| Del Mar High School | Cafeteria | September 16, 2025 | 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm | Español |
| Westmont High School | Virtual | September 16, 2025 | 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm | — |
| Branham High School | Virtual | September 30, 2025 | 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm | — |
| Leigh High School | — | September 30, 2025 | 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm | English |
| Leigh High School | — | October 2, 2025 | 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm | Español |
| Prospect High School | Virtual | October 23, 2025 | 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm | — |
| Boynton High School | — | November 4, 2025 | 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm | English |
| Boynton High School | — | November 5, 2025 | 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm | Español |
Cash 4 College Workshops
| School | Location | Date | Time | Notes |
| Leigh High School | Library | October 15, 2025 | 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm | — |
| Del Mar High School | Cafeteria | October 21, 2025 | 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm | — |
| Del Mar High School | Library | November 19, 2025 | 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm | — |
| Prospect High School | CCC | December 3, 2025 | 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm | — |
| Branham High School | CCC | December 11, 2025 | 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm | — |
| Boynton High School | — | December 16, 2025 | 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm | Boynton Students Only |
| Leigh High School | Library | January 13, 2026 | 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm | — |
| Westmont High School | Academic Center | January 13, 2026 | 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm | — |
| Branham High School | CCC | January 20, 2026 | 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm | — |
| Leigh High School | Library | January 27, 2026 | 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm | — |
| Del Mar High School | Cafeteria | February 3, 2026 | 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm | — |
| Prospect High School | CCC | February 11, 2026 | 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm | — |
CAL Grant
The State of California seeks to expand access to financial aid to students and families who may otherwise not be aware of the opportunities. Continuing from last academic school year, all 12th grade students and their parents will need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) per the recently passed California AB 469.
Important reasons why you would want to complete the FAFSA/CADAA application by the March 3rd, 2025 deadline:
The State of California seeks to expand access to financial aid to students and families who may otherwise not be aware of the opportunities. Continuing from last academic school year, all 12th grade students and their parents will need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) per the recently passed California AB 469.
Important reasons why you would want to complete the FAFSA/CADAA application by the March 3rd, 2025 deadline:
- March 3rd, 2025 is the priority deadline for Cal Grant consideration
- Receive priority for money for education, trade school, community college and/or college
- FAFSA/CADAA may be required for college scholarship consideration
- Receive financial aid offers from multiple schools before making a decision
Visit the Federal Student Aid Website
Visit the CADAA Website
Federal Student Aid Youtube Resources
Register as a Parent/Guardian for the California College Guidance Initiative (CCGI)
To register as a parent for the California College Guidance Initiative (CCGI), you can follow these steps:
- Go to CaliforniaColleges.edu
- Click Register Your Account
Select I am a Parent/Guardian from the dropdown menu - Enter your child's school district and school name
- Enter your child's first and last name, student ID number, and date of birth
- Click the checkbox to certify that you are a parent
- Click Next to continue
- You will be brought to the Family Dashboard
Your parent account will be linked to your child's account. You can add additional students to your account by clicking Add Another Student under My Students.
CaliforniaColleges.edu is a free platform for California 6th–12th grade students, their parents, and educators. It provides resources and tools to help students plan for college, careers, and financial aid.
If you are having trouble registering, you can check that you entered your information correctly. If you are still having trouble, you can contact your school counselor.
Free Tutorials for FAFSA/CADAA by California Colleges Guidance Initiative (CCGI)
Californiacolleges.edu Offers Free Tutorials on Filling out the FAFSA/CADAA
All CUHSD students can access this platform through their Google Single Sign On
Visit californiacolleges.edu to get started
Here's an interactive tutorial
** Best experienced in Full Screen (click the icon in the top right corner before you begin) **