Applications, class schedules, housing… and FAFSA?
College is a confusing time, but the process of applying for financial aid doesn’t have to be. Students can receive free assistance with their financial aid forms, thanks to the Pacific Gateway Workforce Investment Network’s Youth Opportunity Center, in cooperation with its partner CalSOAP (Student Orientation and Assistance Program). The application deadline is March 2, 2009.
Assistance is available at the Youth Opportunity Center on the following days:
Wed., February 25, 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
Fri., February 27, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Mon., March 2, 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
The Center is located at 3447 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach.
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) assist in students with financially unmeet needs to fulfill their educational goals. The application can be filled out annually by anticipating and current students attending high learning institutions (undergraduate and graduate). Financial aid provides students with Pell Grants, Stafford loans, PLUS loans, and work-study programs.
Eligibility is determined by formula called the Expected Family Contributions (EFC), which take in factors into consideration, family size, income and all assets, not including retirement or 401(K) funds.
Financial aid is now dispersed in two forms – either by check or an ATM card (new option). With the ATM card, a student can receive federal money almost immediately upon approval of status, which enables a student to purchase supplies such as books. In order to continue receiving federal assistance, a student must also be in good academic standing with a G.P.A 2.0 or higher, and no more than two non-completed classes.
Most students are eligible for financial aid regardless of income or circumstances provided that the student is a U.S. citizen, a U.S. national, or an eligible non-citizen; has a valid social security number, has a high school diploma or GED, completes a FAFSA promising to use any federal aid for education purposes, does not owe refunds on any federal student grants, is not in default on any student loans; and has not been found guilty of the sale or possession of illegal drugs while federal aid was being received.
Ricklyn Hukriede is a contributing news reporter and current journalism student at Long Beach City College. She can be reached at [email protected].