The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) announced that the March 3, 2025, state financial aid priority deadline has been extended to April 2, 2025, for all students across California. This extension provides students and families with additional time to complete their financial aid applications. Was it prompted in part by delays caused by the rollout of the better FAFSA? Panelists at the Statewide Ethnic Media Services briefing discussed the fallout. 

There was a dramatic 25% decrease in aid applications from California high school seniors compared to previous years, said Dr. Gonzalez, the Executive Director of the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC). “ That is alarming to all of us, given that the number of high school students has not decreased by that same amount statewide.”

CSAC administers the largest portfolio of state-based financial aid in the nation, over $3 billion annually for more than 400,000 students across the state. With its statewide and intersegmental role, CSAC has a responsibility to partner with K-12 and higher education systems to provide affordable higher education for all Californians. 

“CSAC has forged partnerships with institutions like the University of California system and California Community Colleges to streamline the application process and support student success at every level,” she said. 

The decision to extend the state financial aid application deadline came in response to a dramatic decrease in applications. 

What financial aid looks like in California

The California Student Aid Commission is a state agency and it is responsible for administering state aid for students across all segments of public higher education. This includes students pursuing associate degrees, baccalaureate degrees, graduate education, and career technical education and vocational schools 

By completing a financial aid application, students qualify for scholarships and grants, which are dollars that they do not have to pay back, as well as work study programs and loans.  

Last year, in the 2023-24 financial aid cycle, nearly 700,000 students were offered a Cal Grant award. Over 281,000 students who received the Cal Grant Award were first-generation college students. 

In the 2023-24, 50,000 students were offered student parent grants.” A "student parent grant" or a "students with dependents grant" refers to a financial aid package specifically designed for students who have children depending on them, meaning they are considered "student parents" and would typically qualify for additional aid based on their dependent children while attending college

In the 2023-24 academic year, over 9,000 students were given a Chafee grant. "Chafee Grant" in California is specifically designed for current or former foster youth, offering them up to $5,000 per year to use towards their college or career training. 

The "Cal Grant" benefited veterans, with over 9,000 veterans potentially receiving this grant.  

Students qualify for financial aid by completing either the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, also known as FAFSA, or the California Dream Act application (CADA).

The CADA is accessible to students regardless of their documentation status or that of their family members. 

The delayed rollout of FAFSA

The FAFSA opened up 60 days later so that was two months less time for students and their families to complete their financial aid applications. 

The flawed and delayed rollout of the 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online form at the end of last year made applying for financial aid difficult for all students and posed particular and ongoing challenges to students from families with mixed citizenship statuses. In response to these difficulties, California implemented emergency policy changes to help students and families apply for financial aid and better anticipate the amount of aid they will receive in advance of deciding where to enroll. 

For CSAC and educational leaders, this drop in applications is alarming because students rely on these funds to cover tuition, books, basic needs like housing, food, and transportation costs. 

There is also increased fear and anxiety due to ongoing news from Washington, DC, 

Decline in students now means future economic insecurity

“Declines in financial aid applications are that early alert for the rest of our state. Declining enrollment means an decrease in ability to meet workforce demands, and an increase in poverty and homelessness,” Dr. Gonzalez said.

“While we cannot speculate on how the federal administration may use the information that is collected through that application here in California, you have choices. That's why I want to share that the California Dream Act application remains open and a viable option for undocumented students and mixed status families. If you use the California Dream Act application, your information is held by the state of California. And it will only be used to determine eligibility for state and institutional based financial aid.”

Both the FAFSA and the CADA are included as a part of the deadline extension to April 2nd, 2025.

A daughter of immigrants, Dr.Gonzalez  spoke of the life-changing impacts of financial aid. 

“California is working  to ensure that all students, especially those from underrepresented communities have equal access and equitable access to financial aid opportunities that make higher education more affordable.”

The applications themselves have been simplified. A call center is within easy reach of students and families. 

“We have cash for college events.”

Catalina Cifuentes, Chair of the Student Aid Commission and executive director of college and career readiness in Riverside County Office of Education serves over 420,000 K-12 students in Riverside County. 23 school districts with over 30,000 high school seniors every year. “So we're larger than 13 states in the United States.”

“We have one of the lowest college educated adult populations in the United States.  A high volume of students that are first in their family to go to college. I’m worried that by the time these students and families realize they should have applied; they could have gotten financial aid; they could have gotten free tuition and fees covered at one of the institutions; it's too late. They may have full-time jobs by then. They may have children. They may have spouses or partners.  Coming back to school, we know, is so difficult for working adults.”

The message she wants to send to high schoolers is: “You only have this window to make sure you get the maximum financial aid available. Call your school, call your school counselor, ask for your principal, ask for a teacher, reach out to somebody in your school district and say, hey, I think I need someone to sit down with me and walk me through my options.”

The reality is the jobs that are high paying jobs with livable wage and health insurance are going to require more than just a high school diploma.