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QUESTIONS?
What is California Cash for College?
California Cash for College is a program of the California Student Aid Commission and regional partners across California. Our mission is to provide free, in-person help to low-income and first generation college-going students and families completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Cal Grant GPA Verification Form.
Most workshops provide help in Spanish and other languages depending on the needs of communities, and some may provide volunteer income tax assistance for low-income parents.
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When and where can I find a Cash for College workshop?
Cash for College workshops are held during the months of January, February, and up to the March 2 Cal Grant deadline at sites throughout California. Check out our Workshops page to find one in your area.
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Who should attend a Cash for College workshop?
Cash for College workshops are for all students who plan to go to college or career/technical schools in the fall of 2010 or during the 2010-2011 academic year. Our workshops focus on those high school seniors who are low income. However, any student who needs help applying for financial aid is encouraged to go to a workshop. Students can complete the FAFSA much sooner when parents or guardians also attend the workshop with required financial and tax documents.
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How can a Cash for College workshop help me?
Cash for College workshops will offer you free, professional help to fill out the financial aid forms that are often daunting for first-time filers. Plus, high school seniors could qualify for an extra $1,000 scholarship just for attending a workshop and completing the FASFA and the Cal Grant GPA Verification form by March 2.
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What should I bring to a Cash for College workshop?
High school seniors should bring parent(s) or guardian(s)! — with the income and asset information listed below that applies to your family. If your parents can’t go with you to a workshop, you should attend anyway and bring your parent's information. If you are a foster youth, or 24 years of age or older just bring your own income and asset information.
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Federal Income Tax return for 2009 if already prepared. If not already prepared, bring 2008 returns for estimating income.
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Records of other untaxed income received such as welfare benefits, Social Security benefits, TANF, veteran's benefits, or military or clergy allowances
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W-2 forms or other records (such as check stubs) of the income you earned in 2009
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2009 bank statements , if you have a bank account
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Records of stock, bonds, or other investments for 2009
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If you are not a U.S. citizen, your alien registration card or other immigration documentation
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A list of colleges and universities that you may be interested in attending during the 2010-11 academic year
If you do not have or cannot find any of these items, please go to a workshop anyway so that a counselor can help you get started with the financial aid application process.
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How can a workshop help me if I am not a U.S. Citizen? What if my parents aren’t citizens?
Currently, only U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents are eligible for Cal Grants and federal financial aid. However, California law allows undocumented students who are pursuing a college education and meet certain requirements to be exempt from paying out-of-state tuition and fees at California‘s public colleges and universities. To qualify, a student must attend high school in California for at least three years, a student must graduate from a California high school or receive a GED, and file an affidavit with the state college or university stating the intention to file an application with the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) to obtain legal permanent residency as soon as he or she is eligible.
Information on California’s in-state tuition law and scholarship resources will be available at Cash for College workshops. To download a copy, go to our Workshop Tools page.
You may also be eligible for $1,000 Cash for College Scholarships and Performance Based Scholarships of up to $4,000. Click on the links at this website to learn more.
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What if I’m a foster youth, can I get help at a Cash for College workshop?
Yes! If you meet certain requirements, you could not only be eligible for a Cal Grant and California Community College fee waivers, but you could also be eligible for thousands of dollars in federal Chafee and Pell Grant financial aid.
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Why should I fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)?
The FAFSA is the financial aid form required by most colleges, universities and career/technical schools across California and within the U.S. By completing the FAFSA, students can qualify for thousands of dollars in financial assistance, including Cal Grants, Pell Grants, fee waivers, other grants and scholarships that do not have to be paid back, work-study jobs, or student loans that require repayment.
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Where can I get a Cal Grant GPA Verification form?
You can get one from your high school counselor, or college financial aid office; or you can download the paper form at this web site. Many schools will send in verified GPAs for their students, so make sure to ask a counselor or responsible adult at your school. Either way, the Cal Grant GPA Verification form is due by March 2.
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How can I qualify for a California Cash for College Scholarship?
If you attend a Cash for College workshop and fill out an evaluation form, you will be automatically entered to win a $1,000 scholarship—more than 300 statewide. High school seniors must complete and file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and a verified Cal Grant GPA by the March 2 Cal Grant deadline, and enroll in an accredited 2-year or 4-year degree granting college or university. Recipients will be randomly selected and announced in late spring, after the Cal Grant March 2 application deadline.
To qualify for our new Performance Based Scholarship, please see the PBS page at this website.
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What if I cannot make it to a California Cash for College workshop?
If you are unable to attend a Cash for College workshop, go see your high school counselor or college financial aid office for help. You can also call the California Student Aid Commission at 1-888-CA-GRANT (888-224-7268), or e-mail studentsupport@csac.ca.gov.
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Who can I contact with questions?
To learn more about California Cash for College workshops, you can also call CSAC at 1-888-CA-GRANT (888-224-7268), or e-mail the statewide coordinator at cashforcollege@csac.ca.gov.
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A Message from the Executive Director
