California Department of Education Collaborates with Golden State Warriors Community Foundation and California Student Aid Commission to Announce “All in for FAFSA/CA Dream Act” Campaign

“Don’t miss your shot. Apply now for financial aid to pay for college. This is real money you don’t have to repay.
You deserve a chance to get a college education.”

– Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors Guard

SACRAMENTO—The California Department of Education is proud to collaborate with the Golden State Warriors Community Foundation and the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) on the release of a public service announcement (PSA) speaking to the importance of students applying for financial aid.

The PSA is part of CSAC’s "All in for FAFSA/CA Dream Act” campaign , an initiative to support implementation of Assembly Bill 469, which established a new expectation that California high schools and school districts ensure all twelfth graders complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) unless the student submits an opt-out waiver. The goal of “All In for FAFSA/CA Dream Act” is to expand access to financial aid to thousands of students who may not have otherwise been aware of these opportunities. California is one of only seven states in the country to implement this type of requirement.

CSAC created the "All in for FAFSA/CA Dream Act" web page , where students, families, educators, and other supporters can find various financial aid resources, including flyers, posters, checklists, postcards, and more.

“We hope this message helps California students become aware of financial aid opportunities and removes financial barriers to college so that students can go on to do great things,” State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond said. “My hope is that by addressing the economic hurdles to higher education, many of our talented students can return to the classroom as educators to help uplift future generations.”

“We are grateful to the Warriors Community Foundation and the California Department of Education for their collaboration. We know that when students come across a PSA with Stephen Curry and Coach Steve Kerr speaking to the importance of applying for financial aid, that they will feel inspired to not only apply for aid, but ultimately pursue an education that matches their goals,” said CSAC Executive Director Marlene Garcia. “This collective, statewide approach will spur a culture change in college-going in California so we help all high school seniors understand that they can pursue educational opportunities beyond high school and can count on financial aid to help pay their costs.”

“Don’t miss your shot. Apply now for financial aid to pay for college. This is real money you don’t have to repay. You deserve a chance to get a college education,” Stephen Curry said in the PSA.

The official kick-off date for the new financial aid season was October 1, 2022, when California students and their families began to apply on the CSAC website to receive financial aid for the 2023–24 academic year. The state priority deadline, by which students can qualify for the most financial aid possible and receive preliminary information on how much financial aid they can attain, is March 2, 2023. Students attending a California Community College have through September 2, 2023.

Interested students and families can also attend free CSAC Cash for College workshops near them or virtually through the Cash for College statewide webinars web page for help in applying for financial aid. Additionally, students and their families can connect to local financial aid experts in their area for additional assistance; the CSAC California Student Opportunity and Access Program and Cash for College Regional Coordinating Organizations are local resources that assist with financial aid literacy by conducting workshops for students and families. Students can access financial aid applications via the CSAC website . Read about the initiatives and priorities of State Superintendent Tony Thurmond at the Transforming Schools: Superintendent’s Initiatives web page.

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Tony Thurmond — State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Communications Division, Room 5602, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100