Central California Educational Opportunity Center
Helpful Links
Below are links to helpful websites.
Financial Aid
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the form that needs to be filled out to get any financial aid from the federal government to help pay for college. This application is also used to determine eligibility for Financial Aid from the State.*
Basic Eligibility Criteria**
- Demonstrate financial need
- Be a U.S citizen or eligible noncitizen
- Have a valid SSN (with the exception of those from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau)
- Register for selective service if male between ages of 18-25
- Enrolled or accepted into an eligible degree or certificate program
- Enrolled in an approved insitution at least half-time (usually 6 units)
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress in college or career school
- Show you're qualified to obtain a college or career education by
- Having a HS Diploma or a recognized equivalent such as a GED or HiSET
3 Ways to Fill out (Apply to our program to have Outreach Staff guide you through the process)
- Online
- On the MyStudentAid app through your smartphone
- Paper application
A Cal Grant is money for college you do not have to pay back. To qualify, you must apply for the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) by the deadline and meet the eligibility requirements and financial requirements as well as any minimum GPA requirements.
Scholarship criteria and application deadlines vary. Click on the one you are interested in to learn more.
In order to be considered for a Fresno State scholarship, you must be a continuing student or a new student who has applied for admissions for the upcoming academic year.
Community Colleges
CCC Apply is the website used to apply to any California Community College.
Program staff can help walk you through the process or you can click on the button below to apply for your chosen CA Community College
The California College Promise Grant is a state program that waives enrollment fees for qualifying students at California Community Colleges. The Promise Grant is for California Residents, eligIble AB540 students, and AB 1899 students (T Visa or U Visa Holders), as determined by the Admissions and Records office at your chosen CA Community College. Part-time and full-time students may qualify for the Promise Grant.
To receive this assistance, students must have applied for financial aid through the FAFSA or CA Dream Act and be a CA resident or eligible AB540 student. Individuals are awarded this grant automatically if they qualify when their respective college receives their FAFSA or CA Dream Act. (Dependent on college of choice you may have to do a separate application. Always check with the Financial Aid Office on your chosen campus) You must re-apply each year, this can be done when applying for FAFSA or CA Dream Act.
Individuals MUST do the following in order to be eligible for the grant the following year;
Maintain a 2.0 GPA or higher for the year
Complete more than 50% of your coursework for the year
The Promise Grant does not cover:
- Non-Resident Tuition and Enrollment Fee
- Out-of-Country Non-Resident Surcharge
- Student Service Fees
- Health Service Fees
- Transportation Fees
- Additional Course Material
- Full Parking Fees
- Diploma Fees
- Books/Supplies
- Non-sufficient Funds/Stop Payment Fee
- Check with your specific college to see if there is any specific fees this waiver
does not cover
California State University
There are a total of 23 California State University campuses across California.
Cal State Apply is the online application tool that students use to apply to any of the 23 CSU campuses. There is a $70 fee to apply per campus but applicants are automatically considered for a fee waiver based on the information requested in the application.
Admissions Requirements for First-Time Students
- Complete specific high school coursework
- Achieve suitable grades in specified courses and on tests
- Graduate from high school or equivalent
Admissions Requirements for Transfer Students
- Complete at least 60 semester or 90 quarter units
- Required general education before transferring
The CSU Foster Youth Tuition Waiver is available for current and former foster care youth, ages 25 or younger, who are enrolled at a CSU campus in an undergraduate program.
Students are exempt from paying the systemwide tuition fee (this covers only state-supported courses) at any CSU campus. The tuition fee waiver only applies to the systemwide mandatory tuition fee and application fee. It does not apply to campus-based mandatory fees. The waiver does not include campus fees, housing, books, transportation, or other costs of attendance. The amount of the waiver may be reduced by any state or federal aid, including scholarships or grants, received by the student for the academic year or semester/quarter.
Eligibility Criteria
Students who have been in foster care for at least 12 consecutive months after reaching 10 years of age must meet any of the following criteria:
- Is under a current foster care placement order from juvenile court
- Was under a foster care placement order from juvenile court upon reaching 18 years of age
- Was adopted or entered guardianship from foster care
- Be 25 of age or younger on the first day of the academic year
In addition to the above, a student must fulfill all of the following:
- Be a California resident
- Maintain minimum grade point average (academic standards by campus)
- Be in academic good standing with the university
- Enrolled in a undergraduate program (any major)
- Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) annually
- Meet the financial need requirements established for Cal Grant A
The California Chafee Grant is free money for current or former California foster youth to help pay for college or career and technical training. Chafee Grants don’t have to be paid back. You may also use your grant to pay for child care, rent, and transportation while you’re in school. A Chafee Grant is a federal and state funded grant subject to yearly availability of funds.
How to Apply
To be considered for a California Chafee Grant, you must complete the following:
- Submit the FAFSA or CADAA
- Submit the California Chafee Grant Application online or through the paper version
Our staff can help you with these applications.
University of California
There are a total of 10 UC Campuses across California but only the 9 on the map are open to first-time freshmen and transfer students.
To apply for admissions to a University of California campus you will have to satisfy certain requirements in order to apply.
Admissions Requirements for First-Time Freshmen
- Complete 15 A-G courses
- Earn a 3.0 GPA or better in these courses
Learn More About First-Time Freshmen Requirements
Admissions Requirements for Transfer Students
- Complete at least 60 semester units
- Earn at least a 2.4 GPA
- Complete the required/recommended courses needed for your intended major
- Complete the 7 course general education classes required by the UC
UC's Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan will ensure that you will not have to pay UC’s systemwide tuition and fees out of your own pocket if you are a California resident whose total family income is less than $80,000 a year and you qualify for financial aid.
You don't need to fill out a separate application to qualify for the Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan. You will receive the benefits of the Blue and Gold plan automatically if you qualify.
There is not a separate application but MAKE SURE to file FAFSA or CADAA and submit the Cal Grant GPA Verification Form by the March 2 deadline.