February 8, 2008

Cal Grant offers cash for college

Through its Cal Grant program, the California Student Aid Commission offers a slate of programs that help relieve student debt. (Workshop information is listed below.)

Cal Grants pay for state fees at all public universities, a $1,551 access grant to all community colleges, universities and qualifying career technical schools, and currently up to $9,700 for independent colleges, universities and qualifying career technical schools. Other specialized programs help pay for loans for teachers and nurses. Overall, the Commission makes post-secondary education more affordable and in reach for our graduating high school seniors and other eligible students.

The Commission offers and promotes Cal Grants, which offer “free cash” for college that does not have to be paid back. Last year, the Commission gave approximately $800 million to more than 299.000 eligible students throughout the state. The Commission helps direct students and parents to other financial aid sources and offers loan assumption programs in certain high-need career fields.

Cal Grants cover tuition and fees at California’s public colleges and universities, and some Cal Grants also help students pay for textbooks and living expenses. In addition, students pursuing a career or technical education can receive up to $576 a year for books, tuition and equipment, and up to $2,592 for tuition and fees for those who go to a school other than a California Community College (community colleges do not charge tuition and Cal Grant-eligible students can apply to have their fees waived).

All college-bound high school seniors who qualify for a Cal Grant are guaranteed to receive one. To qualify, students must have financial need, at least a 2.0 GPA, and apply by the March 2 Cal Grant application deadline, in addition to meeting other requirements. Cal Grants for career or technical education have no minimum GPA requirement.

To apply for a Cal Grant, students must fill out and submit two forms—the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and their verified Cal Grant GPA – by the March 2 deadline.

Because this year’s deadline falls on a weekend, GPAs received on Monday, March 3 will be accepted as on time. Students and families can visit www.calgrants.org or call toll free 888-CA-GRANT (888-224-7268) to learn more about Cal Grants, find the forms they need to apply and locate a Cash for College workshop in their community.

When students apply for a Cal Grant, they are also applying for thousands of dollars in financial aid from the federal government, including the recently increased federal Pell Grants and low-interest federal student loans, as well as financial aid from colleges, such as community college fee waivers. Together, the various types of state, federal and college aid can help make college more affordable for Californians.

Students and families can ensure they have their best chance at getting all the financial aid they may be eligible for by attending one of the Commission’s award-winning Cash for College workshops. Attendees receive line-by-line help filling out the required forms.

High school seniors who attend a workshop and apply for a Cal Grant and other financial aid by the March 2 deadline can qualify for an extra $1,000 scholarship. At least one of the $1,000 awards is offered each workshop to encourage students to apply for a Cal Grant. Up to 500 scholarships will be awarded statewide after the March 2 deadline.

If you don't have every one of these documents, that's okay. Come to a workshop with the documents that you have and that apply to you.

- Driver's license

- Social Security card or number

- Alien registration number, if you are not a U.S. citizen

- Your 2007 income information

- Your parents’ 2007 income information

- Your tax and your parent’s tax information; previous year taxes are okay for now if you don’t have 2007 tax information

- 2007 bank statements

- Any records of untaxed income such as welfare benefits, Social Security benefits, or child support payments

- List of colleges you are interested in attending

For more information, contact ella@painepr.com.