Financial Aid (FAFSA) | Bullard High School Counseling

FSA ID and FAFSA Workshops 2024-25

The 2025-26 FAFSA application (for current seniors who will start college in 2025-26) opens on December 1, 2024. The California priority deadline to submit is March 2, 2025.

FAFSA Workshops will be held at BHS throughout the Fall and Early Spring.

2024-25 Support Dates:
Student Workshop: during school Dec 3
Parent Workshop Night: December 3: 5:30-7:00 in the BHS Library
Drop In Support Dates:
December 10: 1:30-5:00 BHS Counseling Office
January 30: 3:00-6:00 BHS Counseling Office
February 25: 1:30-5:00 BHS Counseling Office
Wednesdays at Lunch in the Counseling Office

Walk In assistance is available in the counseling office every Wednesday at lunch or by appointment with your counselor. You can also contact your BHS counselor with questions or for support.

FAFSA Info Night and Walk Through will be held in December 3, 2024 @ 5:30 pm in the Bullard Library. Students and Parents, please join your counselors so we can assist you in completing the FAFSA.

A reminder that you and one parent need an FSA ID (electronic signature) before starting the FAFSA. What you will need to complete the FAFSA:

studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch

Seniors should apply for Financial Aid using the online FAFSA between December 1, 2024-March 2, 2025 of their Senior year. The earlier the better, as some aid is first come, first served.

Why should I complete a FAFSA/CADAA application?

The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)/ CADAA (California Dream Act Application) can qualify college students to be eligible for a wide variety of financial aid including:

– Grants: such as Cal Grant, PELL grant, CHAFFE grant, and other money you do not have to pay back
– Scholarships: Middle-class scholarship, College & University scholarships
– CA Community College Tuition Waiver: Free community college in California regardless of income
– Student Loans: Subsidized and Unsubsidized Federal Loans and Parent Loans
– Work Study: Jobs you can qualify for on campus

I don’t think my family income level will qualify me for any needs-based aid…

All students should complete a FAFSA/CADAA application even if they do not think you are going to qualify for grants. This is helpful if your plans change and you want to attend a community college for free or if unexpected family/life changes happen and you need to additional aid during the school year.

A FAFSA/CADAA Application may also be a requirement of many scholarships and programs such as athletic and academic programs.

Steps to Completing your FAFSA/CADAA application

Gather the necessary materials
Students and all Contributors (parents) Create a studentaid.gov account (formally called FSA ID)
Student go to studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa, choose the 2025-26 FAFSA and login and start answering the FAFSA Questions.
Answer “Student Personal Circumstances” questions which will help you identify which parent contributors to invite to complete the FAFSA and determine your dependency status.
If identified to invite parent(s) to complete FAFSA, the student will need parent’s name, date of birth, SS# and email address.
Note: Use legal names listed on tax returns and double check to make sure you enter your correct SS#s correctly. If a parent does not have SS#, you can indicate this on the form.
Select citizenship status
Complete questions about parent’s education level
Select High School completion status.
Add the colleges and universities you are applying to in your FAFSA/CADAA app
Email sent to parent(s) to complete parent section.
Submit all FAFSA steps by the Priority Deadline of March 2.

Create a studentaid.gov account (FSA ID)

You will need to create a studentaid.gov account to start your FAFSA. Go to studentaid.gov/fsa-id/ and click on “Create an Account” or log in if you already have an account.

The student and parent need an account. Parents who already have created one for their own schooling or have older children should use the same account for themselves and all their children. Students who do not live with a parent may need additional help. Please see your counselor if you have any questions.

Tip: When you create your account, be careful to enter your name and Social Security number exactly as they appear on your Social Security card.

Gather Necessary Materials

If you are a dependent student, you need to following materials to complete the FAFSA/CADAA form:

Your Social Security card (you need to use the name on your SS card to avoid errors)
Your driver’s license (if you have one)
Your Alien Registration numbers (if you are not a U.S. citizen)
Your parents’ Social Security numbers

Students or Parents without a social security number can still apply for Financial Aid. Go to: https://studentaid.gov/help-center/answers/article/create-an-fsa-id-dont-have-an-ssn for more information.

Answer the FAFSA/CADAA Questions

Tip: Select the question mark icon next to a FAFSA question to view a “tool tip” that provides information about how to answer that question.

Add schools to the FAFSA/CADAA

Once you have completed your FAFSA/CADAA you need to send to all the schools you are applying to so you can be considered for aid. You can add up to 20 schools and you can add and delete schools throughout the process if needed.

Watch your email, for requests for additional information and corrections. Meet all deadlines.

Students need to check their personal email (used on all college apps and financial aid/scholarship documents) to make sure there is nothing else to be submitted. get info about creating accounts for Web Grants and college portals and making sure everything is getting processed and submitted on time. In the Spring, students can check their college portals to see what financial aid offers are being made. All colleges & universities are different and considering financial aid offers is very important in deciding on what college to choose. Students typically do not need to decide on the college choice (and submit their intent to register) until May 1 but checking with every school about their deadlines is very important as they may have a different date.

Need help with FAFSA?

Attend a FAFSA Application Workshop, come see your counselor, Ms. Rheault or Mr. Heras and we will help you!
Laura.Rheault@fresnounified.org
Cesar.Heras@fresnounified.org

FAFSA on the web Help page: https://fafsa.ed.gov/help.htm

Resources :

How to create a FSA ID:
studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch

FAFSA Overview Video:
*note FAFSA open Dec. 1
www.youtube.com/watch?v=emUDDQSFYRI

What happens after your submit your FAFSA?

What Happens After Submitting Your FAFSA® Form? (youtube.com)

Financial aid is money to help pay for college or career school. Aid can come from