California Student Aid Commission

09/30/2026

Starting October 1, students planning to attend a CA Community College, CSU, or UC can apply for financial aid. Assemblymember Dr. Darshana Patel explains how grants and aid can help cover tuition, books, housing, and more.
 
Learn more and apply at csac.ca.gov/apply

09/29/2026

Nobody needs to tell you college is expensive. 😮‍💨
But financial aid is how you can make college affordable! FAFSA or CADAA, you only fill out ONE.

📅 Opens October 1
Then in the next year,
📅 March 2 deadline (CSU + UC)
📅 September 2 deadline (California Community College)

Free money doesn’t apply for itself → csac.ca.gov/apply

09/29/2026

Calling all California student reporters! 🎤 Join the California Student Aid Commission for the Statewide Student Reporter Roundtable to get the story first on the 2027–28 FAFSA and California Dream Act Application. Hear directly from student leaders, learn what’s new for the upcoming financial aid season, and discover how your voice can help students across California take action toward their college and career goals.

📅 Friday, October 2, 2026
⏰ 12–1 p.m.
💻 Zoom
✅ Register for free:

Engage with student reporters and hear authentic stories from across California as the California Student Aid Commission launches the 2027–28 Financial Aid Application. Join us to see firsthand the impact financial aid has on students and the state’s diverse higher‑education segments, and help...

09/28/2026

The clock starts October 1. ⏰ Stephen Curry and Steve Kerr want every California student to file the FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application (CADAA), because paying for college shouldn't keep you on the bench.

Get started at csac.ca.gov/apply

09/28/2026

🎓 Unlock the California Dream! 🎓

Join the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) for FAFSA/CADAA Launch Week, Sept. 28 – Oct. 6, 2026! A full week of statewide events celebrating the official opening of the 2027–28 FAFSA and California Dream Act Application (CADAA).

📅 Here's what's happening:
• Sept. 28 | Gilroy Old City Hall – Statewide Kickoff, Financial Aid Workshops & Press Event
• Sept. 29 | CSU Monterey Bay – Statewide Financial Aid Workshop & Speakers
• Sept. 30 | Allan Hancock College – Press Event, Armchair Discussion & Workshop
• Oct. 1 | Race to Submit Award Ceremony (Virtual) — 🚨 Applications Open!
• Oct. 2 | Statewide Student Reporter Roundtable (Virtual)
• Oct. 5 | Dorothy Inghram Learning Center – Workshop & Speakers
• Oct. 6 | California College Affordability Summit

Affordability, equity, and opportunity for every California student. 💙💛

Scan the QR codes on the flyer to learn more or register!

Get started on your application at csac.ca.gov/apply

09/24/2026

📣 The 2026 CSAC California College Affordability Summit is coming! Join us on Tuesday, October 6, 2026 for "Unlocking the California Dream: Intentional Change & Focused Investments."

Hear from our guest speakers:
🎤 Dr. Keith Curry, President, Compton College and CEO, CCCD
🎤 Alex Graves, Vice President for Government Relations, AICCU

Register & learn more: csac.ca.gov/summit

09/24/2026

This week, we launched our 2027–28 CSAC Statewide Implementation Workgroup! This workgroup brings together leaders from K–12 school districts, the California Department of Education, California Community Colleges, California State University, the University of California, student aid advocacy organizations, and nonprofit partners to help students achieve their college and career dream.

Read more: csac.ca.gov/news-release

09/24/2026

📣 Senator Alex Padilla has a message for California students and families:

Starting October 1, both the FAFSA and the California Dream Act Application are open. Completing an application doesn’t take too long and can unlock grants, scholarships, and work-study you never have to pay back.
 
Don’t leave money on the table, California.
Apply now! csac.ca.gov/apply

09/23/2026

📣 Join us on Wednesday, September 30! The Central Coast Cal-SOAP Consortium invites you to a special conversation with Daisy Gonzales, Ph.D., Executive Director of the California Student Aid Commission.

📍 Allan Hancock College – Boyd Concert Hall, Fine Arts Complex (Bldg. F), Santa Maria Campus

☕ The morning kicks off with coffee & pastries at 8 a.m., followed by a welcome from AHC Superintendent/President Dr. Kevin G. Walthers and a roundtable discussion with Dr. Gonzales. Stay for the CSAC Annual Statewide Financial Aid Workshop from 10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., plus a boxed lunch to go! 🥪

🎓 This event is perfect for K-12 counselors, high school teachers & administrators, college student services staff, school board & city council members, community advocates, foster youth advocates, and college students across Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Ventura, and Monterey counties.

♿ ASL interpreter services and live captioning available upon request.

📩 Scan the QR code on the flyer to RSVP today!

Executive Director of California Student Aid Commission

09/23/2026

Join us as we celebrate the California high schools with the highest FAFSA and CA Dream Act Application (CADAA) completion rates. These schools are helping students unlock financial aid and open doors to higher education! 🎓💰

This year's ceremony will also feature the Achieving Equitable Support: Best Practices Showcase, highlighting innovative strategies and programs that are making a real difference in supporting students equitably. Don't miss it!

📅 Thursday, October 1, 2026
💻 Online at 10:00 AM

Register today at castudentaid.org/RTS2026

On behalf of the California Student Aid Commission (Commission), the Race to Submit Award Ceremony honors the top California high schools with the highest completion rates for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the California Dream Act Application (CADAA).