Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey told students and parents that financial aid for college is still feasible for students willing to look for it. Amid this economic crisis, advocates across the nation have been fighting for students’ rights to obtain a quality education.
A panel of seven members rattled off different ways of tackling the system of education at the financial aid presentation on Oct. 14. Prior to the presentation, about 40 people crowded Bertolini Center’s dining area where there were tables of cookies for the hungry and brochures for the curious. At around 6:05, the attendants, mostly adults, meandered to their seats. The panel members assembled themselves before the audience.
“I will fight,” were Woolsey’s opening words. “I will fight because it makes a huge difference in the lives of young people in school and working individuals who want to change their career paths.” Woolsey emphasized the importance of maintaining educational funds in California and the benefits of recent middleman exclusions in the student loan system. She also encouraged a labor force that is capable in competing in the international market; she called it the “International Economic Imperative.”
SRJC Associated Students President Amanda Swan followed Woolsey, sharing her anecdote about her obstacles to financing for college. Because her parents made too much money for her to qualify for student loans, Swan had to wait six years until she could qualify. Upon eligibility, Swan accumulated Pell grants and student loans putting her through college. Since then, Swan has held several positions within the Associated Student Body and has spoken in front of 13,000 students in Sacramento on financing for education. “My only wish is that the age requirement is looked at because taking math after six years without it has been a serious challenge,” Swan said.
Many students have to stay at SRJC for up to six years because they work during their enrollment. Due to time constraints, many of them end up having to repeat failed classes, resulting in ineligibility for financial aid. A system like this creates conflict for students who want to experience campus life and learn.
Taylor Andersen-Stevenson, a junior at SRJC, shared the impact of financial aid. “Financial Aid allowed me to focus on school as well as engage in campus life and not have to worry so much about work,” she said.
Following Taylor Andersen-Stevenson was U.S. Department of Education Representative Gary Rozier, a leading contributor of the presentation. Rozier went into detail on several forms of financial help, including the Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity, awarding anywhere between $400 and $4,000 annually. The Teach Grant also gives an opportunity aspiring teachers an eight to 10 year period of experience with a six month grace period and the Perkins Loan with 5 percent interest.
Rozier was excited about discussing scholarships. He couldn’t stress enough the understatement of scholarship benefits. “Your new part-time job has become ‘Scholarship Hunter.'” Roughly $1 billion a year goes unclaimed due to scholarships. Scholarships are awarded for merit and for necessity.
“Ask everybody to do business with for scholarship applications,” urged Rozier. “It will help eliminate loans.”
Leslie Wills of UC Berkeley shed light on FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. With a priority filing deadline of Feb. 15, FAFSA requires applicants to use estimated income information. The more accurate the applicant is with his or her information, the less likely it is that financial aid packages will fluctuate. At Berkeley, there are need–based and merit-based funding aids and grants that are part of the financial aid package. Scholarship programs are also available and can be found on admissions applications at www.berkeley.edu.
The basic formula for determining eligibility of financial aid is the cost of attendance minus the estimated family contribution, or the EFC, which equals the calculated need of the applicant. Restrictions placed by Federal Bank formulas do not allow for financial aid to exceed the cost of attendance.
In California, there are 23 State University campuses that all offer the Cal-Grant Program. With a March 2 deadline, this is a major need-based system that becomes an enormous advantage when done online. Sonoma State University Representative Susan Gutierrez encourages applicants to begin in January. SSU, also provides a competitive Institutional Scholarship with a deadline of Jan. 15. Need-based scholarships from Cal Grants or state universities are provided for low-income students who have faced a history of financial hardship as opposed to families that have been recently affected. If the latter is applicable, Gutierrez suggests the applicant contact every school they have applied to and explain the situation more personally, rather than on the FAFSA.
“It’s the sticker shock that scares many students away from private universities,” said Shanon Little, a financial aid representative at Dominican University. “but don’t let the price of tuition scare you! There are other options.” There are several means of financial support for private universities such as merit and need-based scholarships, talent scholarships, federal work study positions and athletic scholarships.
To conclude, Craig Rowland, SRJC’s Veteran’s Benefits Specialist who works exclusively with veterans, informed the crowd about how much assistance veterans and dependents receive. The Veterans Association, is larger than Social Security and provides enormous amounts of money to help those affected by war. The John David Fry Scholarship, The Yellow Ribbon Program, the GI Bill and the Iraq/Afghanistan since 9/11 Aid are also available for veterans. Veterans and dependents who have not already taken advantage of these benefits should contact Rowland on the Santa Rosa campus for further information.
Lynn Woolsey closed the presentation, opening for questions. An SRJC student asked in reference to the Teach Grant, “Would the break of six months include or exclude internships and co-operatives?”
Gary Rozier replied, “As long as you maintain your student status, you are going to be just fine. It’s when you give it up and walk away from the school environment, that’s when the trouble starts. When we [U.S. Department of Education] know you’re no longer there, you have to re-apply, which may take several months.”
“I’m a single parent,” said a mother from the audience. “Is there any federal or state loans/grants that are specifically for people like myself?”
“Google it,” Rozier said, “there is bound to be a loan, a grant, a scholarship for single parents out there.” He broadens, “if you’re left-handed, watch how much money flows to you. If you’re blind in one eye and want to study Mexican ants, just watch how much money can flow to you. There are scholarships and financial aid opportunities for everyone. The money is there, we just need to apply the effort as middle-class people.”
For FAFSA applications, go to www.fafsa.ed.gov where you can find additional help like the FAFSAForecaster. Also, some deadlines to remember: Cal-Grant Program and FAFSA Application, March 2; SSU Institutional Scholarship, Jan. 15.