With 34 days to go, the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) and the California Community College Chancellor's Office's ICanGoToCollege.com campaign are urgently calling on current and prospective community college students to complete their Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) before the crucial Cal Grant deadline of August 2. September.
"Financial aid is a life-changing resource: it opens the doors to higher education and economic mobility for hundreds of thousands of community college students. Whether they are pursuing a degree, a transfer pathway or a job training program, financial stability is the foundation of academic success," said Sonya Christian, Chancellor of California Community Colleges. “California community colleges are breaking down barriers so that every person, regardless of background or age, has a real opportunity to achieve their educational and career goals.”
Financial aid offers vital non-repayable scholarships and grants that make higher education accessible. Missing the September 2 date could mean losing thousands of dollars in financial aid, funds designed to cover tuition, fees, books and essential living expenses.
Historic expansion: Cal Grant C now covers short-term vocational and technical programs
With the passage of the 2026–27 State Budget, California expanded financial aid opportunities for career technical education programs. For the first time in history, students enrolled in eligible 8- to 15-week vocational training and certification programs can receive a Cal Grant C.
This historic expansion also includes eligible short-term, non-credit programs, allowing students to acquire high-demand job skills and integrate more quickly into the workforce without accumulating debt.
"Expanding Cal Grant C to include short-term vocational and technical education programs is a historic victory for California workers and the state's economy. These programs give students the practical skills they need for high-demand jobs in healthcare, technology and the trades, without sinking into debt," California State Assemblyman David Alvarez said in a statement.
Free Help: CSAC Cash for College Webinars and Guidance Materials
What you can do before September 2
? Apply now: Submit your FAFSA at fafsa.gov or your CADAA at dream.csac.ca.gov by midnight on September 2.
• Attend a webinar: Register for a free CSAC Cash for College orientation session at csac.ca.gov/cash-for-college.
? Learn about the programs: Visit ICanGoToCollege.com (available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Tagalog) to explore local community college programs and contact the financial aid offices on each campus directly.
• Share this information on your campus: University leaders and advocates can access the updated September 2 Deadline Toolkit and CSAC's new Cal Grant C Toolkit, with social media graphics, email templates, digital flyers, and FAQs, at www.csac.ca.gov/toolkits.
Students and their families do not have to apply for financial aid on their own. Support is available across California to ensure every eligible community college student receives the funding they deserve by September 2.
