Funding Your College Future
From Assemblymember Susan Talamantes Eggman California Assembly District 13
A college degree means greater opportunity. The knowledge and skills you gain can be used for the rest of your life. But finding ways to pay for college can be daunting.
The State of California now offers two valuable ways to help you afford this life-changing educational experience and workshops to show you how to apply for financial aid.
California's Cal Grant Financial Aid Program guarantees financial assistance based on need to every qualified student who applies and once fully implemented, the Middle Class Scholarship will reduce student fees at the California State University and University of California by up to 40 percent for families who have often just missed the cutoff for financial aid.
Both Cal Grants and Middle Class Scholarships are only available by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the CA Dream Act Application. Remember, you can't get the money unless you fill out the application and meet the March 2, 2014 deadline.
To help students and parents find ways to pay for college, the California Student Aid Commission has organized hundreds of free Cash for College Workshops across the state, with many in our area. At these workshops, students and parents can talk with advisors about financial aid opportunities and fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is used to apply for financial aid from the State of California, federal government, as well as direct assistance from colleges.
The first event is Tuesday, January 14th from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Amos Alonzo Stagg High School, 1621 Brookside Road, Stockton, CA 95207. Please click here for more information and a full list of dates and locations for Cash for College Workshops in our area.
And do not miss the 11th Annual Student Financial Aid and College Awareness Workshop, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 26 at University of the Pacific's Spanos Center. I will be speaking at this event and members of my staff will be on-hand to provide informational support.