Student Resources

California State University (CSU)

The California State University (CSU) system is made up of 23 campuses across the state of California. The CSU educates 484,000 students every year and has one of the most diverse student bodies in the United States. The California State University promotes student success through opportunity and a high-quality education that prepares students to become leaders in the changing workforce, making the CSU a vital economic engine for California.​ 

*All undergraduate programs, pre-programs, and undeclared/undecided programs are impacted. Find out whether a program you're interested in is impacted by using CSU impaction database.

APPLY TO CSU

University of California (UC)

The University of California (UC) system is made up of 10 campuses throughout California. The UC educates more than 238,000 students each year and is annually voted some of the very best colleges in the nation. UC provides a rich environment for student research. Undergraduate students are engaged in various research activities and their post-graduation aspirations align with pursuing research.

*UCSF offers graduate/professional education only. First-time freshmen will not be eligible to apply.

APPLY TO UC

California Community College (CCC)

The California Community Colleges system consists of 114 colleges, with a large number of additional campus centers and classrooms throughout the state. The colleges are spread over a wide range of geography, from mountains to coasts, and rural regions to big cities. Each college offers a diverse array of educational programs, with specializations that reflect the unique character of the local region.

The following community college campuses are located within the boundaries of the Lawndale and Hawthorne communities: 

APPLY TO COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Want to see if your college courses will transfer to another campus? 

ASSIST is an online student-transfer information system that shows how course credits earned at one public California college or university can be applied when transferred to another. ASSIST is the official repository of articulation for California’s public colleges and universities and provides the most accurate and up-to-date information about student transfer in California.

SAT Exam

Sign Up for the SAT (Fee waivers are available at the college and career center of each high school)

The SAT exam includes three (3) different test components and an optional essay. The exam will take a total of 3 hours plus an additional 50 minutes for the essay. The essay portion is optional for CSU but REQUIRED by UC. 

Score Structure: 

• Total Score: 400-1600
• Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Section: 200-800
• Math Section: 200-800
• SAT Essay: Three Scores Ranging From 2-8

Interpret your score!

Prepare for the SAT:

SAT Practice on Khan Academy

Features interactive problems, video lessons, full-length practice tests, personalized study plans and instanct SAT essay feedback.

Available SAT Practice Tests on CollegeBoard

Stimulate test day with an official practice test. Then, score your test. The answers come with explanations so you can learn from your mistakes. College Board provides EIGHT full, official practice tests.

SAT Subject Tests

Sign-Up for a SAT Subject Test (Fee waivers are available at the college and career center of each high school.)

Subject Tests test students on their knowledge of subjects on a high school level. The best way to prepare is to take the relevant courses and work hard on them. There are 20 SAT Subject Tests in five general subject areas: English, history, languages, mathematics, and science. See the subjects!

Review the SAT Subject Tests | Student Guide [PDF] for more information.

ACT Exam

Sign-Up for the ACT Exam (Fee waivers are available at the college and career center of each high school)

The ACT contains multiple-choice tests in four areas: English, mathematics, reading and science. ACT's writing test is optional and does not affect your composite score however, it is a requirement for UC admission.

Score Structure:

• Composite Score and Subject-Area Score Range: 1-36
• Writing (Essay): 2-12

Understand your ACT scores!

Prepare for the ACT: 

ACT Academy 

ACT Academy™ is a free online learning tool and test practice program designed to help you get the best score possible on the ACT test, and get started on your way to college and career success.

ACT Study Guide [PDF]

Familiarize yourself with the instructions and format, then review, analyze, and answer the questions to see if you’re correct—and why. Includes complete practice tests with scoring keys, and a writing prompt.

Practice for Each Subject

• English
• Math
• Reading
• Science
• Writing

Types of Financial Aid:

1. Grants - financial aid that doesn't have to be repaid (unless, for example, you withdraw from school and owe a refund)
2. Work Study - a work program through which you earn money to help you pay for school
3. Loans - borrowed money for college or career school; you must repay your loans, with interest

Overview of Federal Grants:

Grants and scholarships are often called “gift aid” because they are free money—financial aid that doesn’t have to be repaid. Grants are often need-based, while scholarships are usually merit-based.   

Cal Grant Programs

Cal Grants can be used at any University of California, California State University or California Community College, as well as qualifying independent and career colleges or technical schools in California.

For Cal Grant Income and Asset Ceilings, visit the California Student Aid Commission Website.

Overview of Work-Study:

Federal Work-Study provides part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses. The program encourages community service work and work related to the student’s course of study.

• It provides part-time employment while you are enrolled in school.
• It's available to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students with financial need.
• It's available to full-time or part-time students.
• It's administered by schools participating in the Federal Work-Study Program. Check with your school's financial aid office to find out if your school paricipates.

Your total work-study award depends on:

• When you apply,
• Your level of financial need, and
• Your school's funding level.

Overview of Loans: 

A loan is money you borrow and must pay back with interest. If you decide to take out a loan, make sure you understand who is making the loan and the terms and conditions of the loan.

Student loans can come from the federal government or from private sources such as a bank or financial institution. Loans made by the federal government, called federal student loans, usually offer borrowers lower interest rates and have more flexible repayment options than loans from banks or other private sources. 

Learn more about the differences between federal and private student loans.

What kinds of federal student loans are available?

Scholarship Links

• College Bound Fund
• College Scholarships
• FastWeb National College Scholarships
• The Gates Millennium Scholars Program
• The Jackie Robinson Foundation
• Ron Brown Scholar Program
• Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation
• Accredited Schools Online: Scholarships for Minority Students

Money Geek Guides

• Scholarship Guide for Black Students
• Scholarship Guide for Hispanic Students
• Scholarship Guide for Asian-American Students
• Scholarship Search Tool