Free 'Funding College' Workshop In Livermore

From The Pedrozzi Foundation: The Pedrozzi Foundation is hosting a free workshop to provide hands-on help to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as well as the CA Dream Act Application on Wednesday, January 24, 2018, in the library at Granada High School, 400 Wall Street, Livermore from 6:00 – 9:00 pm. The workshop is open to all Tri-Valley high school seniors and current college students who are welcome to drop in any time, although advance registration is recommended.

The FAFSA is essential for most forms of financial aid; it not only determines eligibility for federal Pell Grants for low-income students, but it is used by colleges to administer federal student loans, work-study funds, and scholarships. The FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application is required to access the $2 billion in financial aid awarded by the CA Student Aid Commission, including Cal Grants and the CA Middle Class Scholarship. Many private schools and outside scholarship providers require a FAFSA to award merit-based scholarships. Students should verify the FAFSA submission deadlines for all colleges they might attend. March 2, 2018 is the Cal Grant and MCS deadline for the FAFSA application.

“Completing the FAFSA is the first step toward receiving financial aid from the federal and state governments, colleges and many scholarship providers, so we recommend that all college students submit it annually,” said Carolyn Siegfried, Pedrozzi Foundation Executive Director. “Many students and families finish their FAFSA themselves, but if you need help, come to this free workshop.” Not all California students are eligible for federal financial aid, but may still be eligible for financial aid from the State of California. These students should complete the CA Dream Act Application at the workshop instead of the FAFSA.

Students and at least one parent should create a FSA ID (Federal Student Aid ID) at FSAID.ed.gov prior to attending the workshop. Visit Pedrozzi.org to register, to review the full list of information to bring to the workshop, and to access the FAFSA. Required information includes 2016 income tax information for students and parents, and most can automatically upload their tax returns into the FAFSA. Private information will not be revealed to workshop volunteers.

85 percent of students have a chance of receiving some type of financial aid for college or vocational training, but they need to submit the FAFSA to be eligible. Ninety-two percent of students from low-income households receive grants that never have to be paid back. “It is important that students and families do not leave money on the table; submit the FAFSA,” added Siegfried.

The Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District (LVJUSD) and the East Bay Consortium are proud sponsors of this valuable workshop. Philomena Rambo, Director of Community Engagement for LVJUSD, said “We are so grateful to the Pedrozzi Foundation for making this workshop available to our students and their parents and guardians. Completing the FAFSA can be a daunting task, and yet it is required for virtually all financial aid and scholarships.”

The Foundation’s website, Pedrozzi.org, contains a wealth of information on paying for college and is the launching point for the Pedrozzi Scholarship applications.

For more information, contact the Pedrozzi Foundation at 925-456-3700 or info@Pedrozzi.org.

Image Courtesy of The Pedrozzi Foundation