Please have your seniors go to http://www.csac.ca.gov ! There is important information there about the need for them to fill out the FAFSA and Cal Grant applications. The site states that it is there to help “students, parents, and school staff in our search for federal, state, and institutional financial aid information for funding post high school education”.
If you choose “Cal Grants” from the menu you will find lots of information on how to begin, including a video!
A student must fill out the FAFSA in order to be eligible for Cal Grant funds as well as other funding. The student may fill this out online by following the links on this site or by going directly to http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ . Many are anxious to get started on filling out these applications.
You no
longer have to “qualify” for loan programs!! Seven out of ten college students
now access loans. There are many alternative educational loans available
at lower interest rates from banks for the students. They also may defer
payments until after graduation from college. It was interesting that the
AICCU noted that the indebtedness of a typical graduate from a private college
may be from $13,000 to $14,000 whereas the indebtedness of a typical graduate
from a UC college might be $11,000 to $11,500. The difference is surprisingly
low. The admissions process for colleges in other parts of the country is
generally completed by November 15 th . So it is not too early to get started!