Planning for College

Choosing a college

Finding the Right Campus for You

Each year, over two million students enroll in a California college or university, at more than 250 campuses, both independent and public. California offers a wide range of options from community colleges to world-famous research institutions to small liberal arts and specialty colleges and students can find the perfect fit. The key is to consider your academic interest, what environment you learn best in, your career goals, and the ways in which you like to spend your free time. Start by meeting with a guidance counselor at your high school. Explore AICCU member colleges and universities , and be sure to follow the links to college websites and social media pages. Many schools provide online campus tours. You should pay particular attention to the admissions pages—these typically have a wealth of information about how to gain admission, degree programs, financial aid, and student life. For an inside perspective on the college experience, look for blogs by admissions officers and current students. You should plan to attend a few college fairs, ask friends and family members about their college experiences. Finally, make a list of what you are looking for in a school. Once you have narrowed down your choices, visit!

The Independent School Advantage

Choosing an independent college or university in California provides access to a rich diversity of students, residential campus life, and alumni networks that can provide lifelong benefits after you graduate.

Explore the breadth of offerings at AICCU’s over 80 member colleges and universities , and do not let the sticker price of college deter you from the school of your choice. California’s independent, nonprofit colleges and universities offer scholarships and grants from their own institutional resources, access to federal and secondary grant and loan programs, work-study opportunities, a variety of tuition payment plans, and other ways to help students pay for college.

Helpful Links

American Student Assistance
Campus Tours
The College Board
College Week Live

Affording College

How to Pay for College

Figuring out how to pay for college can be quite a challenge for students and families. Fortunately, there are many avenues you can explore to find financial support to help pay for the cost of tuition. The financial aid package you and your family put together could include a mix of Pell Grant (federal aid), the Cal Grant (state aid), institutional grant aid, out-of-pocket expenses, and student loans (federal and private). As the name implies, there is no cost to apply. For answers to most-asked questions, check out our Financial Aid Q&A. Also, visit websites of the colleges you are interested in and get specific information on their deadlines and the financial aid they provide. Our College Guide lists each admission office contact, website, and other useful information. Also, check out these links that tell you more about financial aid.

Financial Aid Resources

American Student Assistance
California Student Aid Commission
CalFresh
CSS Profile
FAFSA
Federal Student Aid
FinAid!

Financial Aid: Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for financial aid?

Federal and state financial aid is determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form is available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov or from your guidance counselor or college financial aid officer.

When are financial aid applications due?

The FAFSA deadline falls between January and March each year. The FAFSA must be completed by March 2 for Cal Grant program. If you do nothing else to prepare to pay for college, get your financial aid forms in early! The money available for student aid is limited. Also note that financial aid forms must be filed annually, and returning students may have different form requirements from first-year students.

What documentation do I need to submit to support my application?

Depending on the institution, students may need to submit a variety of additional documentation. Examples include tax forms, an institutional aid application, a noncustodial parent statement, etc.

How do schools determine how much financial aid to award?

Many factors go into determining how much aid you will receive each year. These factors, taken from the FAFSA, and other forms you may fill out, may include the number of family members you have, how many family members are also in college, your summer earnings, your family’s earnings, and your family’s debt. Using this information, the financial aid office will determine how much of the educational costs you and your family can cover, and then try to give you enough aid to make up the difference between those costs and your family’s expected contribution.

How do I figure out how much I will have to pay out of pocket for a particular school?

All colleges and universities are federally mandated to host a net price calculator on their websites. This calculator allows parents and students to input information similar to that required for the FAFSA and get a better sense of what type of aid resources colleges and universities will offer them. Note that this process creates an estimate of your net costs. Your actual financial aid package may differ.

How much money should I be prepared to borrow to pay for college?

Only you and your family can answer this question, but here are a few tips:

Start by considering federal student loans; they are guaranteed with a fixed interest rate.
Do not borrow more than you need.
Read the fine print and pay attention to fees, terms, and conditions. Look for a lender that is transparent about its programs.

How and when will I be notified that I am eligible for financial aid?

Once your financial aid file is complete and your application has been reviewed, you will receive an award letter from the institutions to which you have applied. Letters or emails are generally sent out between February and April.

Admission to College

The Admission Process

The classes you take now, and the grades you achieve, are the primary factors used in determining admission. Many independent, nonprofit colleges and universities require applicants to have completed courses similar to California public universities A-G requirements. Taking college-preparatory courses—such as advanced placement (AP), international baccalaureate (IB), and honors classes—will give you an advantage in gaining admission to more competitive schools.

High school is also the time to pursue extracurricular areas of interest—but be aware that admissions officers are less interested in lists of activities than they are in finding evidence that an applicant is pursuing interests with passion and dedication, including taking on leadership responsibilities.

Even if you are not ready to attend a 4-year institution right after high school, there are many options for transfer from a California Community College to an AICCU institution. Learn more with the AICCU College Guide Dashboard.

To learn more, check out these admissions links:

The Common App
ACT
SAT

Other key components in college admissions might include:

Standardized tests

College entrance exams are required for admission at many schools (though there are schools where test scores are optional). Visit the websites for the SAT and ACT to learn when and how to register for these exams, and to find strategies on how best to prepare.

The essay

The application essay provides an important opportunity to show the admissions committee who you really are. Draft your essay early, have others edit it, possibly rewrite and polish it before you submit it.

The interview

While interviewing has become less common, particularly at highly selective schools, it is worthwhile to set up an interview when possible. This is another chance to stand out from the crowd and to highlight extracurricular accomplishments—as well as to ask questions. Be prepared to say what you want to accomplish in college and why this particular school is the best place to do it.

Recommendations

The credentials of the people who write your recommendations are less important than how well they know you, and what they have to say. Choose carefully.

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