Cash-For-College Workshop Addresses Ways to Pay for College and More

Publish Date: March 6, 2023

Need money to attend college? All you need is access to a computer and 30 minutes of your time.

That’s the main takeaway attendees learned at the February 7 Cash-for-College Workshop, hosted by Growing Inland Achievement (GIA) in collaboration with Crafton Hills College.

The hour-long information session introduced dozens of future and current college students (and many parents) to ways they can access free money to attend college by applying online with a Federal Student Aid Application (FAFSA) or applications for scholarships.

“I believe it’s important for students to attend one of these workshops because there’s a lot of fear and stigma associated with how they are going to pay for college,” explained J. Manny Villegas, Crafton’s interim financial aid coordinator. “But little do they know, there’s some sort of resource out there and they can find these answers in this safe space.”

Accessibility to these resources is key, Villegas continued, no matter a student’s circumstance or immigration status.

For example, students with a social security number can apply for State financial aid with FAFSA, while those without a social security number, such as undocumented students, can apply for aid with a California Dream Act Application (CADAA). “When it comes to these events,” he added, “I hope people feel comfortable enough to ask questions.”

Attending the Tuesday night workshop allowed Enggie Ocampos, a third-year Crafton student, to do two things: Fill out a FAFSA without error and potentially earn a $1,000 GIA scholarship.

“Throughout my last two years at Crafton, I was struggling to complete the (FAFSA),” explained the psychology and sociology double major. “I felt like I was doing it wrong and wanted to see if I can complete it without messing something up.”

To help ease Ocampos’ mind, volunteers were on hand to answer questions, and computers earmarked at both the FAFSA and CADDA application site were available. “Even one hour of committing yourself to a workshop will do wonders,” she said, “this will help me out a lot.”

Hearing this feedback is exactly why event organizers hope to bring additional Cashfor- College workshops to campus, and while there are yet no dates established for the next one, Villegas said additional workshops could be scheduled very soon.

Added Julissa Loza Mendez, coordinator of network engagement at GIA the Regional Coordinating Organization (RCO) for California Student Aid Commission (CSAC), Inland Empire, “The reason why it is important to have an event that’s dedicated around financial aid is that education has proven it is one of the best pathways to financial success. [Students] who graduate with a college degree are more likely to find a high paying career and improve their socioeconomic status.”

But what about students whose parents may make too much money? Loza Mendez said to apply for aid anyway because it may bring money that’s available to the student.

To learn more about Cash-for-College and its resources, go to https://cash4college.csac.ca.gov.

For more information on Crafton and its benefits and resources, visit www.craftonhills.edu.