[CA] CCGI FLASH #3: Student Access to College and Career Resources

The California Department of Education (CDE) has partnered with the California College Guidance Initiative (CCGI) to enhance access to college and career planning resources for students in grades 6-12. Below are the primary takeaways:

CDE Basic Accounts on CaliforniaColleges.edu

• Overview:
  • Basic Accounts are automatically created for public school students in grades 6-12 based on CALPADS data.
  • These accounts offer free access to college and career planning tools on CaliforniaColleges.edu.
• Features:
  • Career Assessments: Identify interests, personality traits, and learning styles.
  • Exploration Tools: Search for colleges, majors, and career paths.
  • 11th-Grade Financial Aid Lessons: Meet Education Code Section 51225.8 requirements for FAFSA or CADAA education.
  • Digital Portfolio: Track academic, career, and financial aid plans.
  • FAFSA/CADAA Launch: Streamlined application support.
• Limitations:
  • No access to tools requiring 9th-12th grade transcript data. LEAs must transition to Partner Accounts for this functionality by 2026.

Accessing Basic Accounts

• Students can register by providing:
  • District and school name.
  • Student ID or Statewide Student Identifier (SSID).
  • Date of birth and an email address (school or personal).
• Detailed registration tutorials are available in the Resource Hub.

Meeting Financial Aid Requirements

• Background:
  • California EC Section 51225.8 requires all students to receive FAFSA or CADAA information by grade 11.
• Support:
  • 11th-grade financial aid lessons on CaliforniaColleges.edu assist LEAs in compliance.
  • Tutorials on navigating financial aid tools are accessible here.

Resources and Support

• Contact for Help: Educators can reach the CCGI team for assistance with accounts or resources.
• Learn More: Additional information is available on the CCGI website.

Next Steps for LEAs

• Compliance Deadlines:
  • LEAs must provide Partner Accounts for transcript-informed tools by June 30, 2026.
• Engagement:
  • LEAs interested in partnering with CCGI can reach out to communityengagement@californiacolleges.edu.

By leveraging these tools, LEAs can ensure students are well-equipped for postsecondary success.

Click here to learn more about MeasureED’s California Data Support services!