Counseling, College & Career Center

https://cava.k12.com/academic-calendar/

There are 11 virtual college tours planned for the month of October starting with UC Santa Cruz on October 5th.

Details are linked on the attached flyer.

New date added for Financial Aid 101 for Students and Families! Please share the registration links below with students and families who would benefit from this one-hour financial aid and application overview. Open and free to all students and their families.

CAVA Seniors: Please use the link below to complete your FAFSA/CADAA application.

California students should utilize the CSAC website (California Student Aid Commission) to guide your application process:

How to Apply for Financial Aid | California Student Aid Commission

We are pleased to share that the 2027-28 FAFSA form is now officially open. Most students can complete their section in 12 minutes or less, and they can see their results, including Federal Pell Grant eligibility and their Student Aid Index, immediately after submitting the form. Students can now complete the form earlier than ever, ahead of the traditional October 1 release date, at: fafsa.gov

• How to Create a StudentAid.gov Account Guide: This step-by-step guide is easy to print and share.
• 2027-28 FAFSA Preview Presentation: This PowerPoint and PDF include 2027–28 FAFSA screens and instructions for common user scenarios. The presentation can be used as provided at a FAFSA completion event or modified as needed.
• 2027-28 FAFSA Prototype: This interactive tool lets you explore common student, parent, and spouse user flows. Refer to the companion Tip Sheet for help finding specific scenarios.

Figuring out how to pay for college is an important part of the application process. The financial aid applications for 2027-2028 are now open! The priority deadline is March 2, 2027, but start early!

Students need to complete either the 2027-2028 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) OR the California Dream Act Application (CADAA). Learn more about the financial aid process and which application to complete here: https://www.csac.ca.gov/apply

What's needed to complete your financial aid application: https://www.csac.ca.gov/sites/main/files/file-attachments/financial_aid_application_checklist.pdf

Types of California financial aid: https://www.csac.ca.gov/sites/default/files/2025-04/TypesofFinAid_CheatSheet.pdf

In addition to completing either the FAFSA or CADAA by 3/2/27, be sure to complete the financial aid application for the colleges you are applying to:

California State University (CSU): each campus has their own financial aid application. Check the individual campus websites to apply.

University of California (UC): the financial aid application is included in your application for admission. Check campus websites for additional information and resources.

Private and out of state universities: check individual college financial aid websites for applications, information and deadlines to apply.

Search for private scholarships and apply using one or two of the following free search sites:

College Board Big Future: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/scholarship-search

Career One Stop Scholarship Finder: https://www.careeronestop.org/toolkit/training/find-scholarships.aspx

Bold.org Scholarships for college: https://bold.org/scholarships/

Sallie Mae: https://www.sallie.com/scholarships

The graduation requirements of the California Virtual Academies are listed in the Parent Student Handbook. Students are expected to meet the requirements as stated in order to receive a diploma. There are times when a student may have a special circumstance that needs to be treated differently. Although CAVA does not routinely offer credit by examination, correspondence education or work experience education, administration may deem these in the best interest of the student on a case-by-case basis, as long as the student can demonstrate mastery of the California State Standards. Foreign Language Instruction at a Private School: Students who wish to continue a foreign language program in which they are currently enrolled may be able to enroll in 1 foreign language course at a private school per semester.

CAVA HS Graduation Requirements at a glance:

English

Spanish

Please reach out to your Freshman Support Specialist or Guidance Counselor to discuss your path to meeting graduation requirements.

One of the most important steps in your post-high school journey will be applying for financial aid. Even if you are unsure about your plans or where you might want to go to college, you should always apply for financial aid. For more on the financial aid process and how to apply, please visit the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) or reach out to your Guidance Counselor.

In addition to completing the FAFSA or CADAA during your senior year, you can apply for other scholarships established by companies and non-profit organizations. Private Scholarship Search Engines combine thousands of scholarship opportunities to help you find scholarships that match your background, interests, qualifications and educational goals. Please pick one or two (not all) to register, complete the profile, and search for potential scholarships that you can apply for.

College Board Big Future: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/scholarship-search

Career One Stop: https://www.careeronestop.org/toolkit/training/find-scholarships.aspx

Appily: https://www.appily.com/

Bold.org: https://bold.org/scholarships/

Sallie: https://www.sallie.com/scholarships

Please visit our College Planning Newsletter Link above for helpful resources and tips to guide your college planning journey.

Remaining 2026 SAT Dates

• September 12, 2026: Regular deadline is August 28, 2026
• October 3, 2026: Regular deadline is September 18, 2026
• November 7, 2026: Regular deadline is October 23, 2026
• December 5, 2026: Regular deadline is November 20, 2026

Remaining 2026 ACT Dates

• September 19, 2026: Regular deadline is August 14, 2026
• October 17, 2026: Regular deadline is September 11, 2026
• December 12, 2026: Regular deadline is November 6, 2026

The PSAT is an important guidepost on your college admissions journey. Your results won’t appear on your high school transcript, but if you do well you could win National Merit Scholar recognition and money for college. The PSAT is also an opportunity to improve your test-taking skills and is great practice for the real SAT (and ACT).

Fall 2026 PSAT/NMSQT Schedule

• Testing Window: October 1 – October 30, 2026
• Saturday Test Date: October 17, 2026
• Registration: Handled directly through individual high schools, not the College Board website. **Please contact your local district high school for PSAT/NMSQT Registration

To receive unofficial transcripts, you may download a copy on the School Pathways Parent Portal.
Directions to download:

English and Spanish-How to access progress reports, report cards, test scores - Google Docs

Explore the opportunity to enroll in selected college courses through the our CAVA 2 College program. CAVA has partnered with two excellent community colleges, Norco & Irvine Valley College, to bring you a chance to begin earning college credits at no cost to you while still enrolled in high school.

Please explore the C2C newsletter or talk to your Freshman Support Specialist or Guidance Counselor for more information on C2C!

CAVA HS 26-27 Course Catalog English

CAVA HS 26-27 Course Catalog Spanish

You may also explore CAVA's online High School courses by visiting the

K12 website here:

https://www.k12.com/online-public-high-school/high-school-offerings/high-school-courses/#high-school/

CAVA does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities; and provides equal access to educational programs and activities. As required by Title IX, CAVA prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. The notice of nondiscrimination is located on CAVA’s school website. Individuals may report questions or concerns regarding sex-based discrimination to the Title IX Coordinator: Melisse Burns, Title IX Coordinator, 50 Moreland Road, Simi Valley, CA 93065. TitleIX@caliva.org (530) 421-8165. Additionally, you may contact the Office of Civil Rights by calling 1-800-421-3481.