The California Student Opportunity and Access Program, widely referred to as Cal-SOAP, will conduct six “Cash for College” workshops to assist low-income students and their families to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and Cal Grant GPA Verification forms required for Cal-Grants.
These workshops will be held during January and February at Christopher, Gilroy, Live Oak, San Benito, Gonzales and Soledad high schools.
South County Cal-SOAP staff, who are trained in the financial aid process, will be available at each workshop to assist students and their parents negotiate the FAFSA website.
Additional topics will include information about in-state tuition assistance for AB540 eligible students, the California Dream Act application and the Middle Class Scholarship.
“The financial aid application process is often an overwhelming experience for our low-income families,” said SC Cal-SOAP Director Erin Gemar. “By providing these free workshops, we can educate our students and their parents about opportunities and options for financial support towards pursuing a college education.”
As a statewide program, the “Cash for College” workshops are funded by the California Student Aid Commission, major foundations and significant resources leveraged through TRIO and local partners. For more information about “Cash for College” workshops, visit csac.ca.gov/ccfc.asp.
California Student Aid Commission is the “principal state agency to administer financial aid programs for students attending public and private universities, colleges and vocational schools in California” since 1955. More information can be found at csac.ca.gov.
The California Student Opportunity and Access Program, or Cal-SOAP, is a statewide program established in 1978 designed to increase the number of students attending college. This pre-college program serves elementary, middle, high school, and community college students who are from low income families, will be the first in their family to attend college, or are from areas or schools with low eligibility or college participation rates. More information can be found at southcountycalsoap.org.
