Lake County Campus and Colusa County Campus are part of Woodland Community College, so you should list Woodland Community College on your financial aid application. The school code is the same: 041438.

You’ll need to provide federal tax return information for the “prior-prior” year. For example, for the 2024–25 FAFSA, you’ll report 2022 tax information. This usually includes:

• IRS 1040 tax return
• W-2 forms (if applicable)
• Records of untaxed income (such as child support received, veterans’ non-education benefits, etc.)

The FAFSA may allow you to transfer your tax information directly using the IRS Direct Data Exchange, which is the safest and easiest way to provide accurate info.

If you’re a dependent student, yes—you’ll need to provide your parents’ income and tax information on your FAFSA or CADAA. This applies even if you don’t live with them or they don’t help you financially.

If you have unusual circumstances (like estrangement, safety concerns, or lack of contact), you may be able to request a dependency override through a professional judgment process. Contact the Financial Aid Office to discuss your options.

Normally, students under 24 are considered dependent and must include parent information on the FAFSA. But if you’re in a situation where you can’t provide that information—for example, due to estrangement, safety concerns, or other special circumstances—you may still be able to apply for aid as an independent student.

Here are some common situations where this might apply:

I have no contact with my parents.
If you’re estranged from your parents and can’t reasonably get in touch with them, you may qualify for a special review. You’ll need to explain your situation to the Financial Aid Office and may be asked to provide documentation from a third party (like a counselor, teacher, or social worker).

My parents are unavailable.
If your parents are incarcerated, living in another country, or otherwise unreachable, you may still qualify for a professional judgment to be considered independent. Be ready to share any documents that can support your situation, such as legal records, communication barriers, or letters from professionals familiar with your case.

Contacting my parents puts me in danger.
If reaching out to your parents would expose you to emotional, physical, or psychological harm, let the Financial Aid Office know. Your safety comes first, and there is a process in place to support students in dangerous or abusive situations. You’ll be asked to submit a written explanation and, if possible, statements from someone who can verify your experience (like a counselor, social worker, or police report).

What’s the next step?
In any of these cases, you can request a professional judgment—this is a special review by the Financial Aid Office to determine if you can be considered an independent student. If approved, your financial aid eligibility will be based only on your income and education-related expenses.

Reach out to us. We’re here to help, and your situation will be handled with care and confidentiality.

If you’re undocumented, a Dreamer, or a non-citizen who meets AB 540 requirements, you can still get help paying for college—even if you’re not eligible for federal aid.

Undocumented students may qualify for:

• EOPS, CARE, and CalWORKs programs – for students with additional financial or educational needs
• Woodland Community College Foundation scholarships – open to all students, including undocumented
• Woodland Community College Promise Program – may cover fees and support services for first-time students
• California College Promise Grant (formerly the BOG Fee Waiver) – helps cover tuition fees
• Cal Grants – state-funded grants for eligible students
• Chafee Grant – for current or former foster youth
• Student Success Completion Grant – for full-time students with a Cal Grant
• California Dream Act Service Incentive Grant (DSIG) – for students who volunteer in their community
• Outside scholarships – including many listed on ImmigrantsRising.org that don’t require a Social Security number or U.S. citizenship

To access most of these resources, you’ll need to fill out the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) instead of the FAFSA.

If you’re not sure where to start, contact the Financial Aid Office or find support staff in our Guide for Undocumented Students & Dreamers—we’re here to help and your information will remain confidential.

I’m concerned about sharing sensitive information in my financial aid application. Is my information safe?
We understand your concerns, and your privacy matters. To determine your eligibility for financial aid, you’ll need to provide personal and financial information—such as income, assets, household size, and number of family members in college—on your FAFSA or California Dream Act Application. This information helps calculate your financial need and determine what types of aid you may qualify for.

Your data is securely processed by either the U.S. Department of Education (for FAFSA) or the California Student Aid Commission (for Dream Act applications). Student and parent information is protected by strict federal and state privacy laws, and schools must follow information security guidelines to safeguard your data.

If additional documentation is needed, Woodland Community College will notify you through Self-Service—our secure online portal.

Note: Information submitted through the *California Dream Act Application is never shared with federal immigration agencies or federal databases.

If you have questions about what’s required or how your information is used, the Financial Aid Office is here to support you confidentially.

No. The California Dream Act Application (CADAA) is not related to the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

CADAA is used to apply for state financial aid in California (like the Cal Grant or California College Promise Grant) for eligible undocumented students, including some with or without DACA status.

You do not need to have DACA to apply for financial aid through the California Dream Act.

For more information or help applying, contact the Financial Aid Office or Undocumented Student Support.

Woodland Community College school officials are legally required to keep immigration status confidential, so students can seek help without worry.

When applying for state financial aid, the California Student Aid Commission has strict security and confidentiality policies and procedures in place to protect the integrity and confidentiality of student records.

The California Student Aid Commission has not now, or in the past, shared any information which would indicate a student’s immigration status, either documented or undocumented.

The California Student Aid Commission also adheres to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99), a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records.

A hold will be placed on your account, preventing some or all of your financial aid from being awarded.

If you’re undocumented and you incorrectly complete the FAFSA, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will prevent all financial aid from being awarded. This is because you are required to have proof of citizenship or lawful presence (per FAFSA) in order to release the hold.

If you’re not eligible for AB540/SB68 status, and you complete the CA Dream Act Application, a Residency Hold will prevent all state financial aid from being awarded. AB 540/SB 68 status will be required to release the hold.

Woodland Community College’s Federal School Code is 041438. You’ll need this number when completing your FAFSA or California Dream Act Application to make sure your financial aid information is sent to Woodland Community College.