Skip To Main Content

FAFSA/CADAA Graduation Requirement

Class of 2025: FAFSA/CADAA Graduation Requirement

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) determines a student’s eligibility for financial aid to assist with a student’s attendance at a college or career school. California Education Code (CEC) § 51225.7 requires a local educational agency to confirm each 12th-grade student’s completion and submission of a FAFSA or CADAA unless the student is determined to be exempt or an opt-out form is completed. 

For guidance on whether you should complete the FAFSA or CADAA learn more on the Immigrants Rising website.

To Opt-Out:

This Opt-Out form permits a student to opt out of the completion of a FAFSA or CADAA form graduation requirement. Completing this graduation requirement opt-out form does not prevent you from applying for the FAFSA or CADAA.

When to Apply?

2025-2026 Academic Year

For 2025-2026, CSAC is anticipating an announcement from the Department of Education to confirm an official application launch date. If you would like to receive real time financial aid application updates from CSAC, subscribe to CSAC's email service or follow on social media! 

If the FAFSA and CADAA are released on October 1, 2024 as planned, the state priority deadline for the 2025-26 academic year will be March 3, 2025, due to March 2 falling on a weekend. The Community College deadline will be September 2, 2025.

(Last updated June 18, 2024)

In subsequent years, we expect applications will open on October 1; 
the state priority deadline will be March 2 (September 2 for California Community College students), unless the date falls on a weekend or holiday.

Why apply?

  • Apply for government grants, loans, and work-study all in one application

  • Access to free money for college

  • You don’t know your eligibility until you apply

  • It can only benefit you!

  • As ‘insurance’ in case your family’s income falls.

  • Can benefit high-income applicants to need-aware colleges.

Additional Resources

How to Get an FSA ID for Individuals Without a Social Security Number 

NEW CADAA for Students from Mixed-Status Families

SMCOE Financial Aid Website

Cash For College Workshops

CSAC Cash for College Logo

Students and families can attend free Cash for College Workshops across California for help completing the FAFSA, CADAA and Chafee Applications. 

Key Dates

December 2024

March 2

  • March 2, is the priority financial aid filing deadline for most colleges and universities and the absolute deadline for submission of your Cal Grant application (CA Dream Act Application + GPA)
  • If you or your school submits your certified GPA using your DACA SSN, make sure you include that DACA SSN on question #8 of your CA Dream Act Application
  • Better yet, submit a Non-SSN GPA to the CA Student Aid Commission

After March 3

  • Some colleges, especially community colleges, accept the CA Dream Act Application throughout the year. Check with your campus Financial Aid Office.