Applying for Financial Aid
Step 1 - Which Application do I File?
First step in applying for financial aid, make sure to submit financial aid application every academic year, the 2025-2026 financial aid applications will open DECEMBER 1st, 2024.
Submit ONE (1) of two financial aid applications available:
Eligibility Requirement:
To be eligible to submit a FAFSA, a student must all requirement:
- Have a valid Social Security Number (SSN), and
- A U.S. Citizen or Eligible Non-Citizen
Types of Aid Available:
Eligible to receive funding from federal, state, and institutional aid programs. For more details on specific aid programs offered at College of the Desert, visit Types of Aid.
Know Your Rights & Privacy:
The Department of Education protects student/parent FAFSA privacy under Privacy Act of 1974 (U.S.C. 552a). For more information about privacy and rights on your FAFSA application, visit StudentAid.gov.
Eligibility Requirement:
To be eligible to submit a CADAA, a student must:
- Does not qualify for the FAFSA (no valid SSN), and
- Meets the conditions of California AB540 status, verified by Admissions & Records.
Types of Aid Available:
Eligible to receive funding from State (California) and institutional aid programs. For more details on specific aid programs offered at College of the Desert, visit Types of Aid.
Know Your Rights & Privacy:
The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) protects student/parent CADAA privacy under California Senate Bill (SB 54) know as the "Sanctuary" law. This Act prohibits State and Local participation of federal immigration enforcement. For more information about privacy and rights on your CA Dream Act application (CADAA), visit CSAC.CA.GOV.
CADAA for Mixed-Status Families
Students from mixed-status families have choices when applying for financial aid.
Mixed-Status Families
Students from mixed-status families have choices when applying for financial aid.If you have parent(s) or a spose who does not have a Social Security Number (non-SSN FAFSA contributor), you may be facing a difficult decision about applying for financial aid this year. We want you to know that in California, CSAC (California Student Aid Commission) and many partners are working to provide state-protected ways for you to still apply for financial aid and enroll in College.
What are the Benefits of Completing a CA Dream Act (CADAA)?
CADAA is an application created and maintained by CSAC, and will only share your information with the campuses you list on your application for the purposes of determining financial aid eligibility. CSAC does not share this data with the federal government or use it for immigration enforcement. For more information, read CSAC's student privacy protection statement. When you choose to complete CADAA, you will be considered for all available state aid from the state of California and institutional aid from the college you plan to attend.
CADAA FIRST.
FAFSA - Rights & Privacy:
The Department of Education protects student/parent FAFSA privacy under Privacy Act of 1974 (U.S.C. 552a). For more information about privacy and rights on your FAFSA application, visit StudentAid.gov.
CADAA - Rights & Privacy:
The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) protects student/parent CADAA privacy under California Senate Bill (SB 54) know as the "Sanctuary" law. For more information about privacy and rights on your CA Dream Act application (CADAA), visit CSAC.CA.GOV.
Step 2 - Select the Academic Year
Students applying for financial aid are responsible to submit/complete the correct financial aid application (see above). In addition, make sure to submit the appropriate application, based on when you (the student) plans to enroll.
Use the chart below to determine which application(s) you should submit:
| Plan to Attend... | You should submit... | Deadline to Apply: |
| Summer & Fall 2024 Winter, Spring & Summer 2025** |
2024 - 2025 Academic Year FAFSA or CA Dream Act |
June 30th, 2025 (Wednesday) |
| Summer & Fall 2025 Winter, Spring and Summer 2026 |
2025-2026 Academic Year FAFSA or CA Dream Act |
June 30th, 2026 (Tuesday) |
| Note: **Summer 2025 requires both the 2024-2025 & 2025-2026 academic year application to evaluate the student for all available summer financial aid. | ||
Step 3 - Next Steps
The Financial Aid Office will receive your financial aid application approximately 10 business days from when you submit your financial aid application (FAFSA or CA Dream Act). If more information is required, the Financial Aid Office will send you a missing information email notification to your MyCOD email. You will be able to find any missing documents and/or information via your financial aid self-service portal.
Please review our Disbursement Deadlines and ensure your file is complete as soon as possible.
You are encouraged to regularly check the Financial Aid Self-Service and MyCOD email for updates.
Need Additional Help?
Our office encourages students to stop by our Virtual or In-person (Palm Desert & Indio Campus) Workshops. Review the latest Workshop Dates/Times.
For immediate assistance, check out the FATV portal which has short-video tutorial clips on the whole financial aid application process (FAFSA & CA Dream Act).
What is Financial Aid?
