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, starting every October 1st! Note: The 2024-2025 financial aid applications launched on December 31st, 2023.
Submit ONE (1) of two financial aid applications available:
| FAFSA | CA Dream Act |
|---|---|
|
To be eligible to submit a FAFSA, a student must:
|
To be eligible to submit a CA Dream Act, a student:
|
| Eligible to receive funding from federal, state, and institutional aid programs. | Eligible to receive funding from State (California) and institutional aid programs. |
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... |
| Summer** & Fall 2023 Winter, Spring & Summer 2024 |
2023 - 2024 Academic Year FAFSA or CA Dream Act |
| Summer** & Fall 2024 Winter, Spring & Summer 2025 |
2024 - 2025 Academic Year FAFSA or CA Dream Act |
| Note: **Summer 2024 requires both the 2023-2024 & 2024-2025 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?
