www.masbakersfield.com

Student financial aid does grow on trees, if you apply

It’s that time of year again.

Yeah, it’s tax time, but besides that, it’s time to get your applications for financial aid and scholarships ready to mail or send electronically.

One of the major pointers that financial aid counselors give students — besides applying — is to meet deadlines.

March 2 is the priority deadline for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

“Meeting deadlines is very important and it gives you the advantage of increasing your probability of receiving the biggest award possible,” said Frank Ramirez, financial aid counselor at Cal State, Bakersfield.

The FAFSA can be completed in person or through the online version at www.fafsa.ed.gov, which is also available in Spanish.

Many times, students decide not to seek out financial assistance because they feel they won’t receive any or are intimidated by the application process, Ramirez said.

“One scholarship application might take you about 10 hours to complete, but if it awards you $1,000, that is like $100 for every hour you spent completing it,” he said.
Crystal Carreno knew the only way she could attend college was by applying for as much help as possible.

Carreno, 19, lives with her single mother, who is disabled, and her little brother.

“I have to work to help my mom. Without financial aid I don’t think I would be here,” Carreno said. “For those people who think they might not qualify for financial aid, they have to remember that they can still receive student loans to help them pay for school.”

Carreno said she was not intimidated by the application process for financial aid because she got help from the Cash for College workshops, which help families fill out the FAFSA.

“We have a few strategically placed workshops before the March deadline to help students fill out and file the applications,” Ramirez said.

Besides the FAFSA, Ramirez suggested students try their best to apply for as many scholarships as possible. Colleges, high school counselors, and the Internet are good sources.

“Again, students should apply for as much as possible,” Ramirez said. “They won’t know if they will get anything, if they don’t apply.”

Cash for College
Free Financial Aid Workshops

10 a.m. to noon
Saturday, Feb. 18
Police Activities League
301 E. 4th St.

Noon to 2 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 19
McFarland High School, cafeteria
601 Second St.

10 a.m. to noon
Saturday, Feb. 25
Boys and Girls Club
801 Niles St.

Noon to 2 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 26
Arvin High School, cafeteria
900 Varsity Road

6 to 8 p.m.
Wednesday, March 1
University Square
2000 K St.

Cal Grant facts

Criteria:
• California resident
• Attending a California school
• Have a minimum GPA of 2.0
• Meet income requirements
• File an FAFSA

Cal Grants can be used at all UCs, CSUs, private and community colleges and most career and technical schools in California. Those who apply, and qualify, for a Cal Grant can get up to $8,300 each year, for four years.

Details: www.calgrants.org

Types of aid

Grants — Money you don’t need to pay back.

Scholarships — “Free money” given out based on merit such as good grades, high test scores, athletic, musical or other special talent, your academic major, heritage or community service.

Work-study programs — Student employment opportunities in which a student earns money for a job on, or off, campus to help pay for a college education.

Loans — Borrowed money that must be paid back, usually with interest.

Kern County Scholarships

Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation Scholarship
Deadline: Early April 2006
Eligible: Hispanic students who fall in the lower income bracket, are involved in the community and school; and are at a high academic level.
Access: High school and financial aid counselors, available in mid-February

Kern County Wool Growers Auxiliary Scholarship
Deadline: April 15, 2006
Eligible: Kern County residents attending high school or college with plans to pursue a college degree in an agriculture related field.
Access: Call 393-5161

Bakersfield College Scholarships
Deadline: Feb. 27, 2006
Eligible: BC students
Access: http://www.bc.cc.ca.us/finaid/forms.asp

Cal State Bakersfield Scholarships
Deadline: April 1, 2006
Eligible: Cal State students
Access: http://www.csub.edu/FinAid/forms/index.html

Cal State Bakersfield Hispanic Excellence Fund
Deadline: March 15, 2006
Eligible: Cal State students
Access: http://www.hsf.net/scholarship/programs/csub.php
Central Valley Chapter of the California Chicano News Media Association Scholarship
Deadline: May 2006
Eligible: Hispanic students in a media-related field
Access: E-mail ogarcia@masbakersfield.com to request application

California Chicano News Media Association Scholarship
Deadline: April 3, 2006
Eligible: Latino college students and high school graduates interesting in pursuing a career in journalism
Access: http://www.ccnma.org/