The Valley Chronicle - State financial aid deadline extended to April 2

PALM DESERT, Calif. – The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) has extended the priority deadline from March 3 to April 2, giving California students and their contributors an additional 30 days to complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the California Dream Act Application (CADAA).

The 2025-26 financial aid application cycle began on Dec. 1, a delay of two months caused by the delays of the Better FAFSA. The reduced time for students to apply for financial aid has resulted in fewer students completing aid applications relative to prior years due to extenuating circumstances beyond their control. As of Feb. 9, there were 25% fewer California high school seniors that had applied for financial aid relative to prior years, according to CSAC.

“Providing students and families more time is something CSAC has been working on since the start of the financial aid application cycle,” said Daisy Gonzales, executive director of the commission. “Ensuring our students can access the aid they need is our highest priority, and we hope that this additional time allows every student to complete a financial aid application and make college more affordable no matter what institution of postsecondary education you enroll in.”

At CSUSB, students should stay tuned to their student portal, check the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships website and follow it on Instagram at @csusbfa to stay up-to-date with the latest information.

The team in the CSUSB Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships is working to make next year’s financial aid process as smooth as possible for students, and is available to guide them through the process.

For more information, contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships at (909) 537-5222.

In addition, CSAC highlighted resources that are available to assist students and families to successfully apply for aid. Resources are available in additional languages, including Spanish and Arabic. To learn more visit:

• Statewide Virtual Cash for College Webinars

• In-Person Cash for College Workshops

• How to Apply for Financial Aid

• Financial Aid for Undocumented Students

• CADAA for Mixed-Status Families

About the CSUSB Palm Desert Campus: The CSUSB Palm Desert Campus is dedicated to providing a transformative educational experience in the Coachella Valley. With a focus on academic excellence and community engagement, the campus offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs designed to meet the diverse needs of its students and the region.

For more information about the CSUSB Palm Desert Campus, contact Mike Singer in the Office of Marketing and Communications at msinger@csusb.edu or (760) 341-2883, ext. 78107, or visit the PDC website at www.csusb.edu/pdc.