Welcome to the financial aid season! Whether you will help with a Cash for College event, are in a position to help a student decide on post-secondary plans, or are responsible for handling the data upload for Cal Grant GPA's--each of you plays a key part in helping students fund an education beyond high school.

We know how busy everyone is and know that helping students through the financial aid application process is only one of the many hats you wear. This message will come to you on a regular basis.  We will keep it brief and easy to read and will help keep everyone connected for the next few months.  If you have something you would like to share that pertains to financial aid or the financial aid application process, please contact me: sbenzinger@humboldt.k12.ca.us.

Financial Aid Nights

County wide, attendance at Financial Aid Nights is up 12% over last year.  Great work on promotion! We also want to extend a very large 

"Thank You" to those of you who were willing to present or co-present the new PowerPoint developed in collaboration with CR and HSU.  

FAFSA/Dream Act Completion Announcements

New this year is a national FAFSA completion campaign launched by First Lady, Michelle Obama.  Please access the "FAFSA Call to Action" video contest rules at this link:

 http://www.whitehouse.gov/reach-higher/fafsa-commencement 

Cal Grant GPA Upload Trainings

We appreciate the many school site staff who attended the recent non-SSN Cal Grant GPA upload trainings. Due to recent legislation, this process will be mandatory for all schools next fall.  Thanks for learning ahead of time and being proactive.  Please contact us if there are problems with your upload this year.  As stated at the training, we are here to assist you.

 Updates: 

• Workshops: Encourage your high school seniors and their parents to attend a Cash for College Workshop in January to get individual help filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the California Dream Act application. Financial aid professionals will be on hand, as well as Spanish speakers for those who need interpreters. Click here for workshop schedule and what students and parents need to bring.

• New this year: Additional Cash for College Workshop on Thursday, Jan. 15th from 2-7pm at HCOE's TRC Computer Lab. Please help us spread the word, especially to students enrolled in local alternative education programs, charter schools, etc. All high school seniors and their parents are welcome.

• Incentive scholarships continue! High school seniors who attend a Cash for College workshop may qualify for a $2,000 Regional Scholarship and other incentives! Scholarship winners will be selected by CA Student Aid Commission in a random drawing and announced in late Spring 2015.

If you have any questions about the upcoming Cash for College Workshops or incentive scholarships, please feel free to contact Chérie Zygaczenko, Humboldt/Del Norte Cash for College Coordinator, at 445-7007 or czygaczenko@humboldt.k12.ca.us.

Thanks to everyone for all the hard work involved in helping students and parents with the financial aid process. 

Sue and Chérie