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Ethnic Media Services, in partnership with the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC), hosted a statewide ethnic media briefing to highlight the recent extension of California’s financial aid deadline and its impact on students. With the new deadline now set for April 2, 2025, the initiative seeks to expand access to financial aid, ensuring that all eligible students—particularly those from underrepresented communities—have the opportunity to pursue higher education. The briefing will address key updates on financial aid, the effects of the Better FAFSA delays, and collaborative efforts with educational institutions to improve accessibility.
To make higher education more accessible and equitable, California has extended the priority deadline for financial aid applications to April 2, 2025. The announcement came during a statewide ethnic media briefing hosted by Ethnic Media Services in partnership with the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC).
Dr. Daisy Gonzales, Executive Director of CSAC, emphasized the significance of this extension for students and families facing financial and logistical challenges.
“We are here to talk about hope and support in real-time. That is what a deadline extension means for our students and California,” Gonzales said. “Financial aid for California students is about belonging in higher education. And now more than ever, it is very clear that a deadline extension is about equity in higher education.”
The extension comes in response to delays caused by the Better FAFSA rollout, which reduced the time students had to submit their applications by two months. According to CSAC, financial aid applications among high school seniors in California are down 25% compared to previous years, raising concerns about future college enrollment and workforce readiness.
CSAC administers state financial aid programs, including the Cal Grant, Middle-Class Scholarship, Chafee Grant for foster youth, and aid for student parents and veterans. Last year, nearly 700,000 students received a Cal Grant, with over half being first-generation college students.
“For CSAC and educational leaders, this is alarming because students rely on these funds to cover tuition, books, housing, food, and transportation,” Gonzales stated. “A deadline extension provides students and families extra time to make informed choices and take every opportunity available to them.”
She also highlighted the importance of financial aid for undocumented and mixed-status students, encouraging them to apply through the California Dream Act Application (CADA), which remains a secure and viable option.
CSAC is working with policymakers, K-12 schools, and higher education institutions to promote financial aid awareness through outreach efforts, including the “Cash for College” workshops available online and in person.
Gonzales urged community leaders and ethnic media outlets to help spread the word, ensuring that every eligible student in California has the opportunity to access financial aid.
“Higher education is worth it, and our students are worthy,” she said. “This extension is about making sure every student—regardless of background—has the chance to succeed.”
In an effort to combat declining college application rates, especially among first-generation and low-income students, education leaders are calling for increased support and engagement from schools to help students and families navigate the financial aid and college application process.
Catalina Cifuentes, Chair of the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) and Executive Director of College and Career Readiness for the Riverside County Office of Education emphasized the importance of direct engagement with students and families to ensure they understand their options for higher education.
“I think it’s important to know that while I serve as chair of the Student Aid Commission, my day job is working directly with students and families in Riverside County,” Cifuentes said. “We serve over 420,000 K-12 students across 23 school districts—more students than 13 states in the U.S. Combined. And what we’re seeing is that many of our students, especially first-generation college-goers, are highly dependent on their schools for guidance.”
Cifuentes highlighted the alarming data from a Lumina Foundation study, which found that Riverside County has one of the lowest rates of college-educated adults in the country, despite having a large population. This underscores the need for more aggressive efforts to support students in accessing higher education.
“A lot of these students need that human connection. AI and chat features are helpful, but they don’t replace the need for one-on-one conversations,” Cifuentes explained. “Families need to make informed decisions based on accurate information, rather than misconceptions or fears about financial aid and college affordability.”
One of the major issues contributing to low application rates is the lack of direct outreach from schools to families, particularly when students express uncertainty about college.
“Too often, we see students making these decisions in isolation,” Cifuentes said. “If a first-generation student says, ‘I’m not going to do the FAFSA,’ and no one follows up with the family, that’s a failure of the system. Schools need to be reaching out and making sure parents are involved in these conversations.”
Another challenge is the perception that college is not worth the investment, especially among students facing immediate financial pressures at home.
“There’s a lot of misinformation about college and career pathways,” Cifuentes noted. “Yes, there are successful individuals without degrees, but the reality is that higher-paying jobs with benefits and stability typically require more than a high school diploma. That doesn’t mean everyone has to get a four-year degree—we’re also pushing for trade schools, certifications, and technical education as viable pathways.”
Cifuentes stressed that schools need to do a better job of connecting students with real-world career opportunities earlier in their education.
“We used to just tell students, ‘Go to college, and you’ll figure it out.’ That’s not enough anymore. We need to introduce students to careers and majors much earlier, so they understand why higher education matters to their future.”
Cifuentes emphasized that schools must integrate financial aid awareness into the school day, rather than relying on evening or weekend workshops that many families cannot attend.
“We need systems in place during the school day to ensure students are completing applications,” she said. “It can’t just be a financial aid night or a Saturday workshop. We need to meet students where they are.”
She also urged families to be proactive in seeking information and support.
“If you’re a parent, reach out to your child’s school. Call the counselor, talk to a teacher, and ask for help. Schools need to create these opportunities, but families also need to take that step.”
Addressing concerns that diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives could impact funding for student aid programs, Cifuentes reaffirmed that California remains committed to ensuring all students—regardless of background—have access to higher education.
“We need to focus on facts and ensure that every student has a fair shot at pursuing their dreams,” she said. “Our priority is making sure all students, no matter where they come from, have the opportunity to succeed.”
For Keiry Saravia, a first-generation college student from Los Angeles, financial aid was not just an option—it was a necessity. Now a Commissioner for the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC), Saravia is using her platform to advocate for students like herself who might otherwise struggle to access higher education.
“Without financial aid like the Cal Grant, I don’t know if I would even be in the position I am right now,” Saravia said. “Financial aid is the biggest reason I’m able to attend the CSU I’m currently at.”
Born and raised in Los Angeles to Salvadoran immigrant parents, Saravia faced difficult choices when considering her future. With two younger sisters to think about, she questioned whether college was a realistic path for her family. However, receiving financial aid not only allowed her to pursue her degree in English education but also allowed her to plan for law school.
“I’m a commuter student, so I drive from Hollywood to Northridge, which is not an easy commute,” she shared. “Apart from the Cal Grant, I also have two part-time jobs—one representing the student body and another at a hardware store—just to survive and help my family.”
Saravia sees financial aid accessibility as a key issue, particularly in predominantly Hispanic communities like California State University, Northridge (CSUN), where misinformation and fear deter many students from applying.
“A lot of students who come from immigrant backgrounds and are undocumented are scared about applying for FAFSA,” Saravia explained. “That has deterred many students from reapplying and has even discouraged high schoolers from considering college as an option.”
As a CSAC Commissioner, Saravia is committed to ensuring students know their options and understand that organizations like CSAC exist to protect and support them.
“It’s very easy for students to assume they’re not eligible,” she said. “But if they keep applying, even if they’ve been rejected due to their family’s income, they may eventually qualify for grants like the Middle-Class Scholarship.”
Saravia’s own experience is a testament to the impact of persistence and financial aid. Without the assistance she received, she doubts she would have been able to consider law school, where she hopes to focus on immigration and criminal law.
“My commitment is to making sure my sisters get to college and that my parents can live comfortably,” she said. “If I had to go to law school with no help, it would make it much harder to support them.”
Through her advocacy, Saravia hopes to inspire other students to pursue higher education and utilize every available resource.
“For many students, higher education was never in their path,” she said. “But CSAC has pushed for students to get these opportunities, and I want to do my part to ensure the next generation can give back to society.”
As financial aid deadlines approach, higher education leaders are grappling with a growing concern: students are increasingly skeptical about the value of college. Shawn Brick, Associate Vice Provost for Student Financial Support at the University of California, warns that declining applications reflect a troubling trend.
“We see some skepticism about the value of higher education,” Brick said. “That’s a challenge for higher education as a whole, and something we need to embrace—not just from a return-on-investment standpoint, but in terms of creating an educated citizenry.”
Brick’s comments come as California faces a 25% drop in financial aid applications. The state has responded by extending the deadline to April 2, hoping to ensure students don’t miss out on critical funding opportunities.
“The absolute commitment of California is to make higher education accessible for all Californians at a time when there’s so much confusion, concern, and anxiety,” Brick noted.
Despite the uncertainty, Brick stressed that financial aid remains a vital tool for students and families. His key message for parents and students: You and your family can afford college.
He also encouraged students to explore data on educational and employment outcomes to better understand their options. “What is the value of higher education in terms of understanding your options—both educationally and employment-wise?” he said.
With financial aid deadlines looming, Brick and other education leaders urge students not to hesitate in applying. As he put it simply: Don’t leave money on the table.
