Written by Lizette Fontane

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The Cal Grant deadline is coming up quick! In order for seniors to receive financial aid for college, they must fill out their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms by March 2. In addition to the FAFSA, to apply for a Cal Grant, a school certified GPA must be submitted to the Commission by March 2. Ms. Tamayo, our school registrar (located in the library), states, “ I must have the Cal Grant GPA Verification form turned into me by February 26, in order to submit them by March 2.”

To be considered for this award, you must complete both of these requirements:

• A 2010-11 FAFSA must be completed with the Federal processor by the March 2 deadline.

• Students must ensure that a certified GPA is submitted to the Commission by March 2, 2010.

Cal Grant GPA’s will be accepted only if certified by a school electronically or on the paper GPA Verification form. Students can submit their Cal Grant GPA by having their school electronically upload the GPA directly to the Commission’s system. You can find this information and much more about the Cal Grant at csac.ca.gov

FAFSA offers various opportunities for students to receive free money to help pay for their college education. The website fafsa.ed.gov gives information about different grants students can apply for. Plus Loans are also offered, specifically for the parents of students applying for FAFSA.

FAFSA does require a great deal of information, especially if you are a dependent student. Your parents play an important role in the process of filling out this application because it is based on your family income. Carlos Gomez, a senior from Science and Engineering, says, “Talk to your parents and fill out the FAFSA with your parents.” It is important for students to communicate with their parents before the deadline. If your parents have not filed their taxes for 2009 yet, use their 2008 as an estimate and then go back and update the information on FAFSA once your parents have filed their taxes.

Students may be confused with the application process because of the requirements needed in order to complete it. Students must have a social security number to apply, that is the first thing they ask for when you sign up for your pin number. Your parents are also required to make their own pin number for the application.

Mr. Hawkins, Counselor of Science and Engineering, says it is very important for students to remember to apply to FAFSA each year they are in college. He says, “ It paid off for me to fill out the FAFSA once the new year began.”

Students have to remember to completely fill out their application before submitting it before March 2. Students should go over their responses carefully to find any mistakes, and it is important that their answers match with their information. Once students submit their applications, they cannot log in, update, or change any information on their application for up to 3-5 days. For more information or personal assistance on your FAFSA application, call 1-800-433-3243

Make sure you get your FAFSA started today and submit it as soon as possible before March 2. Please do not forget to give your GPA verification forms to the registrar- you can get it online (csas.ca.gov) or see your counselor. FAFSA gives many students the opportunity to get money for college. After you have completed and submitted your FAFSA, it is important for you to fill out as many scholarships as you can. Students can receive free money for college; all you need to do is apply.