(a) Commencing with the 2020–21 school year, the governing board of a school district and the governing body of a charter school, as appropriate, shall ensure that each of its pupils receives information on how to properly complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application, as appropriate, at least once before the pupil enters grade 12. The manner in which information is provided pursuant to this section shall be at the discretion of the governing board of the school district or the governing body of the charter school, as appropriate, and may include, but not necessarily be limited to, information dissemination through in-class instruction, an existing program, family information sessions, or group or individual sessions with school counselors. The information provided shall include, but not necessarily be limited to, material related to all of the following:

(1) The types of documentation and personal information that each student financial aid application requires, including, but not necessarily limited to, documents relating to income taxes, finances and income, college choices, academic status, and personal identification such as social security or taxpayer identification numbers.

(2) An explanation of definitions used for each application. These definitions may include, but are not necessarily limited to, definitions of “legal guardianship,” “household size,” “parent,” “dependent,” and “taxable college grants and scholarships.”

(3) Eligibility requirements for student financial aid that may be applied for using the FAFSA or the California Dream Act Application.

(4) Application timelines and submission deadlines.

(5) The importance of submitting applications early, especially when student financial aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

(b) The governing board of a school district and the governing body of a charter school shall ensure that a paper copy of the FAFSA or the California Dream Act Application is provided to each pupil, upon request by that pupil or upon request of a parent or guardian of that pupil.

(c) The governing board of a school district and the governing body of a charter school shall ensure that any information shared by parents, guardians, and pupils under this section is handled according to applicable state and federal privacy laws and regulations.

(Added by Stats. 2018, Ch. 533, Sec. 1. (AB 2015) Effective January 1, 2019.)