According to Allan Hancock College officials, local high school seniors and their parents can eliminate some stress—and possibly lessen the financial burden of paying for college—by completing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and applying for a Cal Grant.
The FAFSA application might provide an opportunity for low-interest loans, and Cal Grants offer college funding that doesn’t have to be repaid.
The Cal Grant program is the California Student Aid Commission’s merit- and need-based financial aid program. To be eligible, students must be high school seniors or recent graduates, have at least a 2.0 GPA, meet eligibility and financial requirements, and submit two forms by the March 2 deadline.
With this in mind, the Central Coast Cal-SOAP offices at Allan Hancock College and Cuesta College are co-sponsoring a series of free Cash for College Workshops to help students and parents fill out the forms. Spanish-speaking staff members will be available to help.
Also, people who attend the workshops could receive a $1,000 scholarship.
Workshops will be held on Feb. 8 from 3 to 8 p.m. in the Pioneer Valley High School library; Feb. 15 from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Santa Maria High School computer lab; Feb. 16 from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Nipomo High School library; Feb. 23 from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Righetti High School Plato Labs; and Feb. 28 from 4 to 8 p.m. in the McKenzie Junior High School cafeteria in Guadalupe.
School Scene is compiled by Managing Editor Amy Asman. Information should be sent to the Sun via fax, e-mail, or mail.
This article appears in Jan 12-19, 2012.
