Introducing CaliforniaColleges.edu

Novato Unified School District will begin utilizing the California College Guidance Initiative platform in the 2025-2026 school year. Students in grades 6-12 already have access to the platform through ClassLink on their NUSD issued Chromebooks. School counselors will begin rolling the program out to students through classroom presentations.

All seniors should initiate their financial aid applications, as well as their UC, CSU, and community college applications, through the platform. This will allow school counselors to offer targeted support to students who may have started an application but need assistance submitting, or identify students who may need additional support with post-secondary planning. For financial aid, only the student and parent can identify which application is completed (FAFSA or CADAA). NUSD only receives information regarding application submission status. Submitting a financial aid application (or opt-out form) is a high school graduation requirement per Education Code 51225.7.

What is CCGI?

California Colleges is the State of California’s official college and career planning platform for 6th-12th grade students enrolled in public school districts. The platform allows students to easily connect their applications and academic records to California public colleges and the California Student Aid Commission from one place—making the college and financial aid application process easier and smoother not only for students, but for their school districts and the colleges to which they are applying. CaliforniaColleges.edu also serves as a crucial component of the California Cradle-to-Career (C2C) Data System tools for students and parents.

The California College Guidance Initiative (CCGI) manages CaliforniaColleges.edu on behalf of the State of California and is a legislatively authorized service provider to California school districts, as established in California Education Code Section 60900.5.