How to Apply for Financial Aid

Students are encouraged to apply by March 2nd in order to be considered for most types of financial aid. Students can apply Oct 1st through June 30th for the following academic year. 

• Foothill Federal School Code: You must add Foothill school code 001199in order for your application to be received by the Financial Aid Office. 
• (FAFSA) Free Application for Federal Student Aid: If you are a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or eligible non-citizen,complete the FAFSA Application to be reviewed for federal and state aid.
• (CADAA) California Dream Act Application: If you are a undocumented student and meet the qualifications of AB 540 (Assembly Bill 540) complete the California Dream Act Application to be reviewed for state based aid.
• View a video tutorial that has tips for completing the California Dream Act Application. 

What Documents You'll Need

Before you fill out your FAFSA or California Dream Act Application (CADAA), gather these documents  so that you have everything you need to complete and submit the form.

Both Student & Parent bring the following documents you have and that apply to you:

• Driver's License (if you have one) .
• Social Security Card or number (if you have one).
• Alien Registration number (if you have one).
• Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
• Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) number (if you have one).
• List of colleges you are interested in attending
  Note: If you were born before january 1, 1997, you are considered an independent student for the 2020-21 & 2021-22 school year and do not have to provide your  parents' information.

It can take up to a week for the Financial Aid Office to receive and review your application.

Make a note to check your MyPortal a week after you apply to see if you need to provide any further documentation. 

• Log in to myportal.fhda.edu with your eight-digit CWID.
• SELECT Apps from menu.
• Under students, select the Financial Aid App.
• Click on your Financial Aid Requirements.
• Choose the current year you are attending.

Additional actions will be listed if needed, please be sure to carefully read what each action is requesting and complete the task. You should check your requirements section weekly until your financial aid is awarded. 

Not all students may be required to complete additional actions. 

After all documentation has been submitted and determined complete. It can take up to 2 weeks for the Financial Aid Office to determine your eligibility for financial aid. 

You may check your award status within the Financial Aid App, located in your MyPortal account. 

• Log in to myportal.fhda.edu with your eight-digit CWID.
• Select  Apps from menu.
• Under students, select the Financial Aid App.
• Click on Awards, then Awards for Aid year.
• Select the aid year you are attending. 
• Using the navigation tabs to click on Award Overview.

Your award overview will show what programs you were determined eligible for and how much of that award you are eligible to receive each quarter. Please be advised offered amounts are based on what you can receive as a full time student (12 Units). 

In addition there are certain programs that may require you to accept your awards (such as student loans) through the Accept Award Offer tab. 

You may review the disbursement dates which advises on when you can expect to receive your financial aid awards. 

We encourage you to make an appointment with the financial aid office should you have questions. 

1. LOG IN to MyPortal.
2. CLICK "Apps" on the left menu.
3. CLICK the "Financial Aid" app in the Students section.
4. CLICK the "Awards" link.
5. CLICK the Financial Aid tab at the top of the page.
6. CLICK the "College Financing Plan" link.

Students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the terms & conditions  required to maintain their eligibility for Financial Aid. This includes reviewing the policy surrounding maintaining (SAP) Satisfactory Academic Progress.

Students are encouraged to contact the financial aid office in advance if you anticipate: 

• Dropping classes after the start date of the quarter.
• If you do not pass more than 67% of your attempted units or maintain a 2.0 GPA  for more than two quarters in a row. 

Any of these actions can effect the amount of financial aid a you are eligible to receive or effect your eligibility to receive financial aid for future quarters.