Financial Aid & Scholarships

COMING UP!

The following event is open to all families. Please feel free to contact Ms. Cajero in the College and Career Center with any questions, at: [email protected].
 

Cash for College Night - February 10, 2025

Join us for Del Mar's Cash for College event on February 10th. Drop in from 4:30pm to 7:30pm in the Cafeteria to receive support with your Financial Aid applications. Get one-on-one support from College Financial Aid Advisors, and get all questions answered. Help will be available in English and Spanish. This is an open event for all students who will be filling out a financial aid application.
 

What to Bring to the Workshops:

  • 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) 

  • Charged Computer and Charger

 
cash for college nights dec 11 and feb 11 cash for college nights dec 11 and feb 10
 
 
 

On this page, you will find information on the following topics:

  • Understanding the Financial Aid Process and Scholarships
  • Federal Student Aid & Grants at a Glance
  • General Scholarship Information
  • LGBTQ Students' Scholarship Websites
  • International Scholarship Websites
  • General Scholarship Search Engines
  • Free Application For Student Aid (FAFSA) - Information and Video 
  • California Dream Act - Information and Video
  • Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) Program Information and Brochure
For more information on financial aid, scholarships, and assistance when completing your FAFSA, please contact the College and Career Specialist or your School Counselor.

Understanding Financial Aid & Scholarships

 

Choosing how to pay for college or vocational school is one of the first major financial decisions you will make as a young adult because it is likely the most expensive thing you have had to pay for at this stage of life. This is why it requires significant planning and support from family. Remember - every student can attend college and there is financial help available to you!

When talking with your family about the costs of college, consider the five main categories of college expenses:

  • Tuition fees: the price colleges charge for classes, usually based on number of units you are taking.
  • Room and board: housing, on or off campus, food and utilities.
  • Course costs: books, supplies, equipment, etc.
  • Personal expenses: laundry, cell phone bill, dining out, clothing, etc.
  • Transportation costs: gas for driving to campus or visiting home, vehicle maintenance like oil changes, on-campus parking, or public transportation.

College costs vary depending on what college you go to and how much financial aid you receive. Although the average college tuition ranges from $3,440 - $32,410 depending on the type of school you select, the amount you pay may be much lower due to grants, scholarships, and other federal student aid awarded to you.

To learn more about Financial Aid, if you qualify, and how to apply, please review the document* below. You may also download this resource, at: studentaid.gov/sites/default/files/do-you-need-money.pdf.

Financial Aid Process

 
There are multiple ways to apply to financial aid. Please note this information is subject to change. For the most current information, please visit the FAFSA website, at studentaid.gov/, and for more information about the California DREAM Act, visit dream.csac.ca.gov.
 
* Note: all documents and presentations offered below are for reference and informational purposes.
 
 

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

 
Completing the FAFSA is the first step toward getting federal financial aid and state financial aid for college, vocational training, or graduate school. Many states and colleges use the information you provide on the FAFSA to determine your eligibility for state and school aid. Some private financial aid providers may also use your FAFSA information to determine if you qualify for financial aid they offer. If you do not complete the FAFSA, some schools will not even consider you for academic and non-academic scholarships that they offer.  Learn more ...
 
Image of YouTube video about FAFSA
 
For more information about FAFSA, please visit studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.
 
 

California Dream Act (CADAA)

 
It can feel overwhelming to figure out how to pay for college as an undocumented student.  However, you have access to financial aid options that help reduce the financial barriers to pursuing your educational goals.

Financial aid refers to scholarships, grants, work-study, and loans that help students pay for college. Undocumented students who qualify under Assembly Bill (AB) 540 criteria can apply for financial aid by submitting the California Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (Dream) Act Application. As a state law, the California Dream Act is separate from the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Undocumented students in California can still apply for financial aid without DACA status.

Please note: if you qualify under AB 540, you must complete the California Dream Act application as soon as possible or before March 2nd of your senior year of high school.  Learn more ...
 
Image of YouTube video about the Dream Act
 
For more information about the California DREAM Act, please view the document below or visit dream.csac.ca.gov.
 

General Scholarship Information*

 

A scholarship is money awarded to a student to help pay for his/her college education expenses. Scholarships, like grants, are monetary gifts that do not need to be repaid. Where grants are monetary gifts from public sources (from federal and state governments,) scholarships generally come from private sources.

There are a wide variety of scholarships offered in varying amounts and for various purposes. For example, a scholarship may cover the entire cost of your tuition or it might be a one-time award of a few hundred dollars. Either way, scholarships are worth applying for because they can help reduce the cost of your education.  Use the websites below to search for scholarships.

Feel free to review some financial aid and scholarship information in this article: https://www.madisontrust.com/client-resources/articles/money-for-college-guide-to-scholarships-and-financial-aid/.

 

LGBTQ Student Scholarship Websites*

 
 

International Scholarship Websites*

 

 

General Scholarship Search Engines

 
Federal Student Aid Scholarship Search studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/scholarships
Naviance College Organizer student.naviance.com/delmar
Fastweb Scholarship Search www.fastweb.com/
Unigo Scholarship Finder www.unigo.com/
College Board Scholarship Search bigfuture.collegeboard.org/scholarship-search
Peterson's Scholarship Search www.petersons.com/scholarship-search.aspx
Sallie Mae College Scholarships www.salliemae.com/college-planning/college-scholarships/
Common Knowledge
Scholarship Foundation
www.cksf.org/
Scholly Scholarship Finder
Mobile App (at a fee)
myscholly.com/
 

WUE - Western Undergraduate Exchange

 

WUE is the Western Undergraduate Exchange, a program coordinated by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE). Through WUE, students in Western states may enroll in participating two-year and four-year public college programs at a reduced tuition level - up to 150% of the institution’s regular resident tuition. WUE tuition is considerably less than nonresident tuition. (Source: wiche.edu/wue.)

 

Learn more below, and for additional information, please visit www.wiche.edu/wue.
 
 
 
* Disclaimer: Campbell Union High School District and Del Mar High School cannot be responsible for the content, accuracy or accessibility of external documents and external link sites referenced on this web page. External documents and link sites are offered for public benefit and not supervised by or within the control of CUHSD or Del Mar High School.