Things to Know

If the federal government shuts down on October 1, 2026, student Pell Grants and Federal Direct Loan funds will STILL be disbursed. Borrowers with loans in repayment should continue making their regularly scheduled payments. Some Department of Education services may be limited, but student financial aid will not be interrupted.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and CA Dream Act Application (CADAA) are now open. To receive the maximum aid, be sure to apply by the priority deadline of March 2, 2026.

The Middle Class Scholarship (MCS) is a state-funded grant program administered by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC). Students selected to receive an MCS award will be notified directly by CSAC via email in late August.

Sonoma State University will add MCS awards to eligible students’ financial aid packages in mid to late September, and students will receive a revised award notification once the update is made. MCS awards will disburse in October, after the semester census date.

Award amounts may be reduced if a student is not enrolled full-time or becomes eligible for additional federal, state, institutional, or external aid after the initial award is made.

If adjustments are required due to exceeding a student’s financial need or cost of attendance, loans will be reduced first, with grants and scholarships adjusted only if necessary.

If you or your family’s financial situation has changed significantly from what is reflected on your federal income tax return (for example, if you’ve lost a job or otherwise experienced a drop in income), you may be eligible to have your financial aid adjusted. After completing the FAFSA questions as instructed on the application (including the transfer of tax return and income information), contact the Financial Aid Office at Sonoma State. Additional information can be found on the Special Circumstances Appeal page.

Filing the FAFSA is FREE. There are companies that may solicit payment from you to file the FAFSA on your behalf, but in most cases this is a waste of your money. If you are asked to give a credit card number or make any kind of payment to complete or file the FAFSA, beware. More information on filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid can be found in the How to Apply section of our website.

WebGrants4Students is your portal for Cal Grant, Chafee and Middle Class Scholarship awards. The California Student Aid Commission contacts students via email so it is critical that you keep this information current on your WGS account. California residents and AB540 students are potentially eligible for these programs.