TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2009
Mt. SAC to Host Financial Aid Workshop for High School Seniors
WALNUT, Calif.,—Like many high school seniors, Maria Turrubiartes knew she wanted to go to college, but didn’t know how she was going to pay for it. Then she attended Mt. San Antonio College’s “Cash for College” workshop two years ago.“I came out of high school clueless about financial aid options for college,” Turrubiartes said. “But Cash for College made everything really clear and much simpler.”
Mt. SAC once again will offer free one-on-one financial aid assistance to high school seniors and their parents during its annual Cash for College workshop Saturday, Feb. 7 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., on campus in the Learning Technology Center, Building 6.
Assemblymember Ed Hernandez (D-West Covina), who attended community college before earning his bachelor’s degree at Cal State Fullerton, is a co-sponsor of the event.
“I firmly believe that no matter where you start in life, a quality education can help people open doors to a world of possibilities,” Hernandez said. “I am the first person in my family to go to college, and I started at Mt. SAC. That is why I came back to help other students and their families gain access to every available resource that could make higher education more affordable. My hope is that this Cash for College event will help students open that first door, and make their dream of college a reality.”
The workshop is open to all area high school seniors, regardless of the college they plan on attending. Informational workshops will be offered in English and Spanish. Chinese and Vietnamese interpreters also will be available.
During these difficult economic times, more families are feeling less confident about their ability to pay for college, making it more critical that they apply for assistance.“Students who want to pursue higher education should not feel that they can’t because of a lack of money,” said Mt. SAC Financial Aid Director Susan Jones. “There are so many programs available, and we can steer them to those resources.”
Cash for College provides on-line application assistance for college-bound students and their parents to complete and file Federal Student Aid and Cal Grant financial aid forms for the 2009-10 academic year. Reservations are required for the one-on-one assistance. The event also helps students maximize their financial aid prospects by meeting the early financial aid deadlines. The state financial aid deadline is March 2.
Parents and students must bring a copy of their Social Security cards or permanent resident cards, and a 2008 federal 1040 tax return and W-2. If 2008 information is not available, a 2007 tax return may be used.
A free continental breakfast or lunch will be provided, and Mt. SAC admission applications will be available, as well as information about the college’s Extended Opportunity Programs & Services and the Summer Bridge Program, designed for first-time college students.
For further information and to make an appointment for personal assistance, call (909) 594-5611, ext. 4458.
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2009