Vidya Sethuraman
India Post News Service
The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) is pleased to announce that the March 3, 2025 state financial aid priority deadline has been extended to April 2, 2025 for all students across California. Ethnic Media Services, in partnership with the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC), presented a statewide ethnic media briefing to spotlight the recent extension of the state financial aid deadline and its importance for California students. The briefing covered critical updates on financial aid deadlines, discussed the impact of the Better FAFSA delays, and highlighted partnerships with educational institutions to increase accessibility for underrepresented communities.
Dr. Daisy Gonzales, Executive Director, California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) said providing students and families more time is something CSAC has been working on since the start of the financial aid application cycle. “Ensuring our students can access the aid they need is our highest priority, and we hope that this additional time allows every student to complete a financial aid application and make college more affordable no matter what institution of postsecondary education you enroll in.” The decision to extend the scholarship application deadline this year is mainly due to the fact that in the past year, while the overall number of students has not changed significantly, the number of California high school seniors applying for scholarships has dropped by 25%.
The California Student Aid Commission has various forms of financial aid, including scholarships and grants, as well as financial aid under various programs, such as the “Middle Class Scholarship” and “Veteran Grant” programs, as well as student loans. The California Student Aid Commission currently serves over 400,000 students and administers the state’s $3 billion portfolio of student financial aid programs and services, including the Cal Grant, the Middle Class Scholarship, and the California Dream Act Application.
Catalina Cifuentes, Chair, California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) urged schools to help students understand these financial aid resources and plan their future college and career paths early. She said that for many first-generation immigrant families, schools are an indispensable place for them to learn about government resources and social assistance. Therefore, in addition to educational resources, schools should also provide resources related to personal development.
Keiry Saravia, Commissioner, California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) spoke out about the importance of these grants, as she herself is a beneficiary of these grants. However, there are also many students who do not apply for scholarships, mainly because they are simply not aware that these programs exist.
The Commission serves as a resource for policymakers and the public on college affordability and financing issues, and advocates for policy changes to eliminate cost as a barrier to any qualified California student pursuing a higher education. For more information visit the website at www.csac.ca.gov.
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