At Citrus College, we are deeply committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for all students and their families, regardless of their immigration status. We recognize that recent political events may cause uncertainty for some members of our community. We want to assure you that our support for you remains unwavering.
Our Commitment to Inclusion
Citrus College strives to be a place where all students feel valued, respected, and empowered to pursue their academic goals. We celebrate the diversity and unique perspectives each student brings to our campus which enriches our learning environment. We offer a variety of resources and support services dedicated to undocumented students, including the Dream Resource Center.
Protection of Your Financial Aid Information
We understand the importance of protecting your personal information. Per federal and state laws, Citrus College will not disclose student information for immigration enforcement purposes without a court order or judicial warrant, unless authorized by the student (see FERPA statement) or required by law. You can be confident that the information you provide us with or submit on your admissions and financial aid applications will be kept private and confidential and will not put you or your family at risk. Additionally, Citrus College has developed a protocol for responding to any immigration enforcement activities.
Additionally, we want to emphasize that the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) offers strong data privacy assurances. The California Department of Education (CDE) and the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) guarantee that information provided on the CADAA is used solely to determine your eligibility for state financial aid. This information is never shared with the federal government and is not used for immigration enforcement. CSAC has communicated that it is committed to protecting all students who utilize the CADAA. For more information on data privacy and resources for undocumented students, please visit www.csac.ca.gov/undocumented.
Financial Aid Considerations for Mixed-Status Families
We acknowledge the complexities surrounding financial aid options for students with mixed status families. You are considered a mixed status family if you are a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen and your parent(s) or spouse does not have a Social Security Number (SSN). Here's a breakdown of some key points for you to consider:
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California Dream Act Application (CADAA): This application allows you to apply for state financial aid in California. When you choose to complete CADAA, you will be considered for state financial aid from the state of California and institutional aid. CSAC does not share this data with the federal government or use it for immigration enforcement. Visit www.csac.ca.gov/cadaa-information-safety for more information.
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Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): This application allows you to apply for all federal and state financial aid. Completing the FAFSA is crucial for accessing potential federal financial aid. However, it does not offer the same level of data privacy as the CADAA. Your contributors (including parent(s), spouse, and stepparent) without an SSN will be required to complete their sections of the 2025-26 FAFSA and must enter their tax information. For more information about the FAFSA for mixed status families, visit www.csac.ca.gov/cadaa-msf. Non-U.S. citizens who qualify for federal student aid are known as “eligible noncitizens” and fall into certain immigration categories as defined by the U.S. Department of Education. Please view the Q&A below for detailed information.
We encourage you to carefully consider these factors and make an informed decision about completing the FAFSA. If you complete a FAFSA, you do not need to complete the CADAA.
The California Student Aid Commission is hosting free workshops to help students apply for financial aid, staffed by experts. This includes:
California community college students can also access free immigration legal assistance. Additional free legal services are also available:
Financial Aid Support
Our financial aid department is committed to helping you navigate the financial aid process. We will continue to keep you informed of any new information we receive and are here to answer your questions and provide guidance. Please don't hesitate to contact us with any concerns or questions. To contact Financial Aid, submit an online request form, call (626) 914-8592, or visit the Student Services (SS) Building on the first floor.
Questions and Answers Recommended for Students on Information Collected for StudentAid.gov Account Creation and Filling-Out the FAFSA
The following Q&A was originally published by the U.S. Department of Education on January 17, 2025. It is reproduced here to ensure accessibility for all users. For the most up-to-date information, please consult the original document: NASFAA Published FAQ on FAFSA Data Privacy.
Why do I/my parents/spouse have to provide identifiable information to complete the FAFSA?
You and any of your contributor(s) must provide this information in order for the Department to determine if you are eligible for federal student aid and which type (e.g., Pell Grant, subsidized or unsubsidized loans) and amount of aid you might be eligible to receive. In addition, many states and colleges use your FAFSA information to determine your eligibility for state and school aid.
What information do I/my parents/spouse have to provide?
When creating a StudentAid.gov account, you and any contributor(s) must provide information such as name, Social Security number (SSN) (or the fact that you/they do not have an SSN), date of birth, address, phone number (optional), and email address. If you or your contributor(s) do not have an SSN, you/they may be required to answer identity questions from TransUnion (such as which of the following is a recent previous address) in order for the Department to fully establish your/their StudentAid.gov account.
When completing the FAFSA form, you will be required to confirm all personal contact information (populated into the FAFSA from your StudentAid.gov account) and enter information such as gender, race/ethnicity, and citizenship status; parent education level; student high school information; financial information including income taxes and whether you or a family member has received other federal benefits such as Medicaid; and what college(s) you would like to receive your FAFSA information.
Who else can access this information?
The Department will share your information with the college(s) you select on your FAFSA form, as well as the state grant agency that is in the state you live in or in which the college(s) you selected is located. This is done to help you get access to any federal, state, or college aid you are entitled to receive.
The Department will also match your information with other federal agencies to help determine your eligibility for benefits (e.g., with the Social Security Administration (SSA) to verify your SSN and citizenship or with Department of Homeland Security to verify if you are an eligible noncitizen) and with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to obtain your tax information to populate the FAFSA system. If you have a contributor(s) with an SSN, the Department will share their information with the SSA to verify their SSN and with the IRS to obtain their tax information to populate the FAFSA system.
How long is this information held?
The Department must keep this information for the length of your relationship with the Department. For example, if you receive a loan, the Department will keep your information for the full life of the loan (including all the years you are in repayment) and a period of time thereafter to ensure full closure of your loan and to meet various legal and regulatory requirements. If you receive a Pell Grant, the Department will keep your information to track how much you received in Pell Grants so you do not exceed lifetime limits set by law over the recipient’s lifetime.
Can my or my contributor’s information be used for immigration enforcement?
The Department is permitted by law to share information with other federal agencies for both civil and criminal law enforcement purposes. For example, if under one scenario a federal agency follows required processes to request information from the Department (such as providing the request in writing from the head of the agency, specifying the information being requested, and specifying the law enforcement purpose for the request), the Department may provide the information. The Department reviews any such request to ensure it complies with all legal requirements.
Should I fill out the FAFSA?
Whether or not you should fill out a FAFSA form is a decision that you should make with your family. It is important to note that, to the extent that you or a contributor has already provided the Department with information when creating a StudentAid.gov account or previously filling out the FAFSA form, the Department likely still has that information. In such an instance, the Department would only be adding updated information to the Department’s systems (e.g., income information, change in address) were you to submit a new FAFSA form. Moreover, any future changes to how the Department’s data are used or shared could apply to data already in its possession, as well as data it collects after the changes.