<p>Hi,</p>
<p>I completed FAFSA online for 2013-2014, and at the confirmation page it's showing:</p>
<p>Optional Feature - Start your state application.</p>
<p>What is the state application for? I thought FAFSA is the only application that is needed to submit for colleges to determine if you qualify for financial aid, both BOGW and Pell. I reside in California and listed a Los Angeles community college in the form.</p>
<p>I don't recall seeing this option last year. Did I mess up by not filling out the state application too?</p>
<p>I would suppose that your home state has some money to hand out, and is piggy-backing on the FAFSA. This may be a new process. I’d say, fill it out and see what happens.</p>
<p>I don’t have access to the confirmation page anymore. I logged into FAFSA and it says it’s being processed and doesn’t have the option to view it anymore.</p>
<p>I did some searching on google, I’m not getting much info. However I found on the Cal State Fullerton website:</p>
<p>“New - California Dream Act 2013-14 **State forms of financial aid<a href=“Cal%20Grants%20and%20State%20University%20Grant”>/b</a> are now available for students who are qualified as an AB 540 student.”</p>
<p>So I assume that’s the “optional state application” (for illegal immigrants).</p>
<p>Actually, nevermind on the above. I found this on another website:</p>
<p>" Also on this final page of the FAFSA, if you entered your DRIVER’S LICENSE information above, there may be a direct link to your state granting agency. Take advantage of the link on the confirmation page that says “Optional Feature – Start your state application”. "</p>
<p>I’m not exactly sure what the state granting agency is. I will visit the financial aid office next week and discuss with them what this is all about. So confusing. :</p>
<p>In California, would this maybe link to the Calgrant application? That would be terrific.</p>
<p>This process is not totally brand new, but FAFSA is now highlighting the link in hopes of streamlining the process so that families are applying for federal and state aid at the same time.</p>
<p>for example:
In NYS, you file the FAFSA for federal aid, then wait approximately 3 to 5 days for the info from FAFSA to transfer over and then fill out the application for TAP (NYS aid).</p>
<p>The state aid link at the end of the FAFSA will automatically transfer your information for federal aid, to the application for state aid. You only have one opportunity to do your state aid application at the same time you do the federal aid application. </p>
<p>Since OP is from California, the link will allow him to file the Calgrant application at the same time he files for federal aid. Since he did not do this, he now has to file the Calgrant application if he wants to be considered for California state aid. He will probably have to wait a couple of days until his information is uploaded to the state system.</p>
<p>Take a look at these three websites about the financial aid available for community college (and state university) students in California:</p>
<p>[California</a> Community Colleges: College Scholarships, Loans & Grants](<a href=“http://www.icanaffordcollege.com/]California”>http://www.icanaffordcollege.com/)
[California</a> Student Aid Commission - Can I get a Cal Grant if Im going to a community college?](<a href=“http://www.csac.ca.gov/doc.asp?id=1372]California”>http://www.csac.ca.gov/doc.asp?id=1372)
[Funding</a> Your Future: Cal Grants](<a href=“http://www.csac.ca.gov/pubs/forms/grnt_frm/newi2_CAworkbook_interactive.pdf]Funding”>http://www.csac.ca.gov/pubs/forms/grnt_frm/newi2_CAworkbook_interactive.pdf)</p>