How to Apply for Aid
Hi there, thank you for navigating to the "How to Apply for Aid" page. Below, you will find important information about different financial aid applications and recent changes to the federal application for financial aid, known as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Changes to the 2024-2025 FAFSA
Click on the following document to read about the changes to the 2024-2025 FAFSA:
Financial Aid Applications
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
The FAFSA is financial aid application offered by the federal government.
The FAFSA is only available to:
- United States Citizens
- United States Permanent Residents
- Eligible Non-Citizens
Through submitting a FAFSA, you will be considered for the following types of aid:
Federal
- Federal Pell Grant
- Federal Work Study (FWS)
- Federal Direct Loans
- Federal Supplemental Educational Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
- Federal Parent PLUS Loans
State
- California College Promise Grant (CCPG)
- AB-19 Fee Wavier
- Cal Grant (A, B, or C)*
- Student Success Completion Grant (SSCG)
- Chafee Grant
- EOPS/CARE Grants
Institutional
- Cuesta Promise (recent high school/GED graduates only)
1. Visit studentaid.gov
2. Create a Federal Student Aid account (FSA ID)
3. Complete the FAFSA for the aid year of interest
2023-2024 FAFSA: Apply from now to June 30th, 2024.
2024-2025 FAFSA: Apply from December 2023 to June 30th, 2025
*Submit the 2024-2025 FAFSA by the April 1st, 2024 priority deadline to be considered for a Cal Grant award and other limited aid.
California Dream Act Application (CADAA)
The CADAA is a financial aid application offered by the state of California.
The CADAA is only available to students who meet the criteria for an AB540 Nonresident Tuition Exemption.
Through submitting the CADAA, you are only eligible for state and institutional aid:
State
- California College Promise Grant (CCPG)
- AB-19 Fee Wavier
- Cal Grant (A, B, or C)
- Student Success Completion Grant (SSCG)
- Chafee Grant
- EOPS/CARE Grants
Institutional
- Cuesta Promise (recent high school/GED graduates only)
1. Visit dream.csac.ca.gov
2. Create a CA Dream Act account
3. Complete the CADAA for the aid year of interest
2023-2024 CADAA: Apply from now to June 30th, 2024.
2024-2025 CADAA: Apply from December 2023 to June 30th, 2025
*Submit the 2024-2025 CADAA by the April 1st, 2024 priority deadline to be considered for a Cal Grant award and other limited aid.
Cuesta College Scholarship Application
The Cuesta College Scholarship Application is a single application offered by Cuesta College.
All Cuesta College students are eligible to submit a Cuesta College Scholarship Application.
There are over 100 institutional scholarships offered to students based on a variety of factors.
1. Visit cuesta.academicworks.com
2. Sign in using your myCuesta username and password
3. Submit the available Cuesta College Scholarship Application
2024-2025 Cuesta College Scholarship Application: Apply from now to March 2nd, 2024.
*Since some scholarships are based on need, students are encouraged to submit a FAFSA or CADAA if they are eligible.
Flyers
How to Apply for Financial Aid