Genesis Community Development Corporation
Genesis CDC
Start with FAFSA.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is the single most important step in accessing financial aid for college. This page walks you through what you need to know, and where to go for help.
Free to Apply
FAFSA is always free to complete
Apply Early
Some aid is first-come, first-served
Renew Annually
FAFSA must be completed each year
Why FAFSA First
Financial aid starts
Financial aid starts
with one form.
Every year, billions of dollars in federal and state financial aid go unclaimed because students never filled out the FAFSA. It takes about an hour, it is free, and it is the only way to access federal grants, work-study, and subsidized loans. Start here.
FAFSA Help
Complete your FAFSA.
Complete your FAFSA.
Maximize your aid.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid opens the door to grants, work-study, and loans. The steps below walk you through what to expect. Complete it as early as possible each year.
01
Create your FSA ID
You and a parent or guardian each need an FSA ID at studentaid.gov before starting the application. This is your login and electronic signature.
02
Gather your documents
Social Security number, tax returns, W-2s, bank statements, and records of untaxed income. Parent information may be required depending on your situation.
03
Complete the FAFSA form
Fill out and submit at studentaid.gov. Apply as early as possible. Some aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and runs out before the deadline.
04
Review your SAR
After submitting, review your Student Aid Report for accuracy. Follow up with each school's financial aid office to confirm your award package.
Application Tips
How to put your best
How to put your best
application forward
Six principles that help students stand out at every stage, from the first draft to the final submission. Apply these consistently and you will be ahead of most applicants.
01
Start early
Most scholarship and aid applications open months before their deadlines. Starting early gives you time to gather materials and write strong responses.
02
Read every requirement
Disqualification often comes from missing a small detail. Read the full criteria before investing time in any application.
03
Tell your story
Essays are where you stand out. Be specific, honest, and personal. Committees read thousands of generic submissions. Yours should not be one of them.
04
Ask for letters early
Give recommenders at least four to six weeks. Provide them with your resume, essay drafts, and the program details so they can write something specific.
05
Apply broadly
Smaller and local scholarships are less competitive. Do not overlook $500 or $1,000 awards. They add up significantly over four years.
06
Proofread everything
Typos and grammatical errors signal carelessness. Read your application aloud and have someone else review it before you submit.
Useful Links
Go-to tools for
Go-to tools for
financial aid & planning
These are stable, government-maintained or widely trusted resources that do not require Genesis to monitor for changes.
StudentAid.gov
FAFSA, federal grants, loans, and repayment tools
CA Student Aid Commission
Cal Grants and California state financial aid programs
College Board
SAT prep, AP programs, and college planning tools
Fastweb
Scholarship search database with eligibility matching
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Occupational outlook, salary data, and career paths
Scholarships.com
Free scholarship search with eligibility matching
About Scholarships
Genesis does not maintain a scholarship database. When we find an opportunity relevant to our community, we share it on Instagram. For ongoing searches, Fastweb and Scholarships.com are free and current.
Get Support
Need help navigating
Need help navigating
financial aid?
Genesis workshops include FAFSA navigation, college application support, and financial aid guidance. All programs are grant-funded and provided at no cost to participants.