California Student Aid Commission Announces the 2026–27 Statewide FAFSA/CADAA Implementation Workgroup

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SACRAMENTO, Calif., October 20, 2025 — The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) is excited to announce the formation of the 2026–27 Statewide FAFSA/CADAA Implementation Workgroup, a collaborative initiative designed to improve application completion outcomes for students applying for federal and state financial aid in the 2026–27 cycle. The workgroup will focus on meeting the goals outlined in the CSAC Student Success Blueprint and advancing critical statewide efforts to ensure all California students have the support they need to complete their FAFSA or CADAA applications.

“The 2026–27 FAFSA/CADAA cycle is a pivotal moment in California’s commitment to educational equity,” said Daisy Gonzales, Executive Director of CSAC. “Through collaboration and strategic advocacy, we can ensure that students across the state have the resources and guidance they need to navigate the financial aid process seamlessly.”


The primary mission of the Workgroup is to coordinate efforts across diverse statewide stakeholders to ensure successful deployment of the 2026–27 FAFSA and CADAA application cycle. The Workgroup is focused on:

  1. Coordinating statewide communication to ensure students and families receive timely, accurate information to complete their applications.
  2. Building strategic partnerships based on real-time data, providing tools and resources to assist students across California’s diverse regions.
  3. Advocating for policies, events, and philanthropic efforts to support targeted student and regional needs. The Workgroup is composed of representatives from K-12 districts, community colleges, universities, student aid organizations, nonprofit advocacy groups, and other key educational stakeholders. Members have committed to meeting monthly, from October 2025 through August 2026, to discuss ongoing strategies and share best practices in order to provide the highest level of support for California students. Our collective goal is to make college affordable by connecting students to the financial aid they are eligible for. Members include:
  • Aaron Villarreal, Chair, California State Student Association
  • Alison De Lucca, Executive Director, SoCal CAN
  • Allison Beer, Dean, California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office
  • Alysia Bell, President, UNITE-LA
  • Christopher Gonzales, Chief Strategy Officer, 10,000 Degrees
  • Dr. Cynthia Olivo, President, The Coalition/Office of the President of Fullerton College
  • Dr. Dwight Bonds. Executive Director, California Association of African American Superintendents and Administrators (CAAASA)
  • Dr. Erin Vines, Executive Director, African American Male Education Network & Development (A2MEND)
  • Dr. Omar Orihuela, Director of EOPS & Special Populations, Southwestern College & EOPS Association
  • Dr. Ryan Alcantara, President, Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE)
  • Gabriel Adame, President, Youth 2 Leaders – Education Foundation
  • Gordon DeWitt, Program Coordinator, College Career Options Resource Center
  • Jackie Nevarez, Coordinator II – College & Career Experience, Sacramento City Unified School District
  • Jeanice Warden, Chief Consultant, California State Assembly Committee on Higher Education
  • Jeanne Tran Martin, Interim Director of Student Affairs, Equity & Belonging, California State University Office of the Chancellor
  • Jennifer Towers, Assistant Director of Staff & Student Engagement, University of California, Berkeley
  • Jerry Reyes, President, Student Senate for California Community Colleges
  • Jessica Petrass, Director of Education, John Burton Advocates for Youth
  • Kaitlyn Goslinga, Senior Assistant Director of Financial Aid, Association of Independent California Colleges & Universities
  • Laura Diaz, FACE Coordinator, California Association for Bilingual Education (CABE)
  • Lorena Rodriquez, President, California Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (CASFAA)
  • Madeleine Villanueva, Interim Director of Higher Education, Immigrants Rising
  • Matthew Elder, Cal-SOAP Director, Riverside County Office of Education
  • Maya Valree, Senior Policy Analyst, EdTrust-West
  • Noelia Gonzalez, Systemwide Director for Financial Aid Programs, California State University Office of the Chancellor
  • Paige Marlatt Dorr, Director of Communications, California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office
  • Shawn Brick, Associate Vice Provost for Student Financial Support, University of California, Office of the President
  • Vincent Rasso, Director of Government Relations, University of California Student Association
  • Zima Creason, Executive Director, California EDGE Coalition