Applying for financial aid is a free and easy process, and is open to students participating in many academic programs at CCE. The most important thing you need to do on your way to receiving financial aid is complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

File your FAFSA by March 2 of each year at https://fafsa.ed.gov/.

You must file an accurate and complete FAFSA form by March 2 of each year you’re in college to be considered for grants and student loans. Use school code 001150 for Sacramento State.

A separate form is required for summer financial aid and will be available in your My Sac State Student Center under the “Important Link” section between mid-April and June. Awards for summer are based on remaining Pell and/or Direct Loan eligibility not used in the prior Fall and/or Spring semesters.

Know what types of financial aid are available.

Grants are provided by the federal government, the state government or the university system (the CSU). They do not need to be paid back by students, but students must maintain eligibility.

Loans are provided by the federal government, accrue interest at a generally low rate and must be paid back. There are several types of loans: some that students can borrow, some that parents can borrow, and other private loans that may require students to obtain a co-signer. Each type of loan has different interest and repayment requirements, so it is important to review student loan information carefully before accepting the funds.

Scholarships are gifts. They don’t need to be repaid. There are thousands offered by schools, employers, individuals, private companies, nonprofits, communities, religious groups, and professional and social organizations. Make sure that scholarship information and offers you receive are legitimate, and remember that you don’t have to pay to find scholarships or other financial aid. To search and apply for scholarships, please visit Sac State’s Financial Aid and Scholarships page.

Avoid common errors when applying for financial aid.

Mistakes can delay your financial aid application and limit the amount of aid you are eligible to receive. To avoid errors, carefully read all of the questions on the FAFSA application. Learn about the most common errors.