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Scholarships – Week of September 22

Senior_Weekly_College_Career_Update_Sept22 (1)

Dear Seniors & Families,

Here is your Senior Weekly College & Career Update for the week of September 22nd. Each week, I will share:
📎 Scholarship opportunities (PDF attached)
🎓 College planning tips & reminders
🌟 Career exploration resources

Please review this week’s newsletter (attached) and take advantage of the opportunities that fit your goals. Staying consistent with applications, deadlines, and exploration will make this senior year a strong foundation for your next steps.

If you have any questions or need support, please feel free to reach out. I am here to guide you through this exciting journey.

Best,
Kene

The Department of Education (ED) officially launched the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2026–27 academic year a week early. The launch came after a successful beta testing period in August.

What does this mean for your students?

Earlier access: Students and families can complete the form now, giving them earlier access to financial aid information.
Positive feedback: Beta testing yielded strong results, with 97% of users satisfied and 90% reporting a reasonable completion time. We anticipate a smooth and effective start to the new application cycle.
Challenges for mixed-status families: ED has not yet provided a permanent solution to identity verification issues, which continues to pose a challenge for these families when attempting to file the FAFSA and privacy concerns.

The 2026–27 CADAA opens October 1!
The California Dream Act Application (CADAA) opens on October 1.
The CADAA is available to eligible undocumented Californians and mixed status families. While the CADAA provides access to state and institutional aid, students who file only the CADAA are not eligible for federal financial aid dollars.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me Kene Washington – kwashington@davincischools.org  and/or (310) 725-5800 ext 7013.

There are available seats for 10th grade students to take the PSAT at Connect High School this Fall. Seats are limited and being offered to current sophomores on a first come first serve basis. Please click HERE to fill out the Google form to reserve your spot to take the PSAT!

When: Wednesday October 29th

Where: Connect HS campus, 8am-11:30am

Any Sophomore who wishes to take the PSAT MUST fill out the Google form. To access the Google form, students MUST be logged into and use their DV student email address to submit. No outside email address will be allowed.

Hello Seniors and Families,
As you prepare for the college application process, many of you will also be applying for financial aid. One of the funding opportunities available to California students is the Cal Grant—a state grant that helps pay for college and does not need to be repaid.
The Cal Grant can be used at:


University of California (UC) campuses
California State Universities (CSUs)
California Community Colleges

Qualifying independent (private) universities and career or technical schools in California

How to Qualify
To be considered for a Cal Grant, students must:
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA)

Meet financial and eligibility requirements
Meet minimum GPA requirements
Be a recent high school graduate

List California colleges on the FAFSA or CADAA

For full details, please visit http://www.calgrants.org.

GPA Submission Requirement
Da Vinci Connect High School is required to submit students’ verified GPAs to the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC). This information is used to determine Cal Grant eligibility.


By law, families have the option to opt out of this process. Please note:
If you submit an Opt-Out Form, your student’s GPA will not be submitted, and they will not be eligible for the Cal Grant.

If you do not submit an Opt-Out Form, Connect High School will send your student’s GPA to CSAC automatically.

Important Deadline
If you wish to opt out, please complete the Cal Grant GPA Opt-Out Form and return it to Kene Washington at kwashington@davincischools.org before Friday, September 26, 2025.

Click here http://Cal Grant GPA Opt-Out Form

Hi Seniors & Families!

Join us for FAFSA Night, tonight at 5:00 pm (Zoom). This workshop will guide you step-by-step through FAFSA, share updates for the 2025–2026 school year, and answer your financial aid questions.

Special Kickoff: The LifeLaunch program will open the meeting, sharing free college & career pathways in healthcare, aviation, and business for graduating seniors.

Why Attend FAFSA Night?
Learn FAFSA basics & why it’s required
Get 2025–2026 updates (simplified app, new rules)
Review documents you’ll need
Hear key deadlines (March 2, 2025 CA priority)
Avoid common mistakes

Event Details:
Monday, Sept. 22
5:00 PM
Zoom: https://davincischools-org.zoom.us/j/94483101479?pwd=hko1JxaE7Le1fMGqJDPBZHYOuFy3oW.1
Meeting ID: 944 8310 1479 | Passcode: 256439

Who Should Attend: Seniors + Parents/Guardians