Pell Grant, Work-Study Job, Subsidized/Unsubsidized Stafford & Direct Loan, Perkins Loan, Parent PLUS loan.

How to Apply:

Complete the 2010-2011 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). File FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov or use the paper FAFSA form available at schools after January 1, 2010. The FAFSA filing period begins January 1, 2010 and the California priority deadline is March 2, 2010.

Cal Grant.

How to Apply:

First, complete the 2010-2011 FAFSA on time by March 2, because the California Student Aid Commission will electronically retrieve the income figures off of the Federal FAFSA form to determine if the student is eligible for a Cal Grant. Next, the student must complete the Cal Grant / GPA Verification Form. Generally this form is available at schools in January 2010. The filing period begins January 1, 2010 and the deadline is March 2, 2010. A school official must sign and verify the student's GPA on the form and then the student sends it in to the Cal Grant office. Cal Grants are restricted to California residents who attend a California vocational school or college. Some high schools will report all senior GPA’s to the Cal Grant office as a group; check at your high school to see if your school uses the group reporting method, or if you should do the individual Cal Grant form yourself.

Scholarship, Grant, and Loan from the Institution (college or university).

How to Apply:

Students should inquire of the financial aid office at each college they are interested in -- "Do you have any applications for other student aid that is awarded by the school itself?" Also, many private colleges require students to complete an independent financial aid form called 'CSS Profile'. The college financial aid office will inform the student if the Profile form is required, and usually the student must pay a fee to file the 'CSS Profile' form.

Scholarship, Grant, and Loan from private and community organizations.

How to Apply:

Eligible students should apply to groups like the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara, the Santa Barbara Foundation, and any other organizations that send notices to the high school or college counseling office. In addition, all students should complete an internet scholarship search by using the list of helpful financial aid and scholarship search website links here at the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara's website. Go to the Financial Aid Links page.