Gilroy
– Paying for college can be expensive and confusing, but Gavilan
College is offering new, continuing and future students and their
families help with figuring out financial aid.
Gilroy – Paying for college can be expensive and confusing, but Gavilan College is offering new, continuing and future students and their families help with figuring out financial aid.
The college will hold two workshops, FAFSA Fridays and CASH for College, throughout February in Gilroy, Morgan Hill and San Benito County.
The workshops will feature representatives from Gavilan College Financial Aid and CalSOAP, a program that helps students learn more about college and financial aid.
Students will learn how to fill out forms necessary to determine eligibility to apply for financial aid. Eligible students will be able to receive tuition assistance for college through the Cal Grant Competitive and Entitlement Programs.
Audren Morris, director of financial aid at Gavilan College, said that along with providing assistance, the workshops are intended to help clear up misconceptions students have about financial aid.
“There’s always a lot of myths out there. I hear students say, ‘My friend told me this,’ or ‘Well, I heard that,'” she said. “This helps get the right information out there.”
Community college tuition has gone from $11 per unit in 2002-03 to $18 in 2003-04 to $26 this year, a 136 percent increase. A typical course is three or four units, so taking one class costs $78 or $104. A full-time student, enrolled in 12 units, pays $312 per semester or $624 per year. Other related fees and charges are numerous, including health services, parking, class materials and enrollment fees. On top of all that, the cost of books and other class supplies can tack on several hundred dollars more.
Students should bring a number of documents to the workshops, including a Social Security Card and driver’s license or other government-issued identification, their parents’ Social Security Cards if claimed as dependent, students’ and parents’ 2004 Federal Tax Forms or W2 forms, a statement of income or benefits received in 2004 for students and parents, current balance of checking and savings accounts for students and parents, and a records of value for business, investments and assets for students and parents.
There is no cost to attend.
Details: Veronica Martinez at Gavilan College at 848-4728 or Erin Gemar at CalSOAP at 848-7177.
FAFSA Fridays:
Feb 4, 11 and 25 at Gavilan College Student Center, 5055 Santa Teresa Blvd.
CASH for college:
Feb 1, 5 to 8pm, at the San Benito High school College and Career Center, 1220 Monterey St., Hollister and 5 to 8pm, Feb. 17 at the Live Oak High School Counseling and Career Center, 1505 East Main Ave., Morgan Hill.
