For Students
Financial Aid Clinics and Workshops
L.A. Cash for College helps to coordinate FREE financial aid completion clinics/workshops throughout the Los Angeles area as part of a statewide campaign to increase awareness of and access to student financial aid programs. These hands-on clinics/workshops help students navigate financial aid application forms so that they can obtain the financial support needed to pursue their college dreams.
LEARN MORE
Workshop Resources
View workshop documents and resources to help you apply for financial aid. Students and their families can learn more about financial aid opportunities and the financial aid application process. This page will be regularly updated with new resources.
VIEW RESOURCES
Scholarship Opportunities
L.A. Cash for College program participants have the chance to win one of several scholarships worth $1,000 to $1,500.
Contact Maria Marquez Alvarez to learn more.
Get Involved
With your support, L.A. Cash for College is able to serve local-area students through virtual and in-person financial aid and college-readiness workshops year round.
Become a Volunteer
Are you passionate about helping students achieve their educational goals? L.A. Cash for College is seeking volunteers with working knowledge of the new FAFSA and CADAA!
Volunteer Trainings
Are you hosting or volunteering at a workshop? L.A. Cash for College provides comprehensive training to ensure you are well-prepared to assist students and families.
Host Your Own Financial Aid Completion Workshop
L.A. Cash for College partners with schools and organizations to host Financial Aid Completion Workshops throughout the financial aid application season. To host a workshop, sites must provide internet connected devices (i.e., computer lab, classroom, community center, etc.) where students can start and/or complete their financial aid applications. Sites must be able to provide 1:1 assistance (volunteers) with the application process during these workshops. L.A. CFC can support connecting potential workshop hosts with volunteers from the region.
Become a Sponsor
Sites hosting workshops benefit greatly from incentivizing student participation. Incentives vary from providing snacks and refreshments to tools that will support students through their college journey (i.e., laptops, headphones, tablets, backpacks, etc.). Sponsorships can be updated annually, and sponsored funds can be directed based on a mutual understanding of priorities.
Promote L.A. CFC Events
Support our programming by spreading the word about L.A. Cash for College with students on social media or in print, digital newsletters, etc.
Financial Aid Completion Workshops
Do you need help applying for financial aid?
L.A. Cash for College helps to coordinate FREE financial aid completion clinics/workshops throughout the Los Angeles area as part of a statewide campaign to increase awareness of and access to student financial aid programs. These clinics/workshops help students navigate financial aid application forms so that they can obtain the financial support needed to pursue their college dreams.
WHAT TO BRING:
- Driver's license, if you have one
- Social Security Card or number, if you have one
- Alien registration number, if you have one
- Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) - yours or your parents'
- Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) number, if you have one
- List of colleges you are interested in attending
- Parents' Federal Income Tax Return form, if applicable*
- Parents' W2s and other records of money earned, if applicable*
- Student's Federal Income Tax Return form, if filed
- Student's W2s and other records of money earned
- Current bank statements, records of investments and assets
Complete this handout to help you get ready to file the FAFSA!
*Students who were in foster care, or were a dependent or ward of the court, at least one day after the age of 13 may qualify for “Independent Status” for the purposes of the FAFSA and the CA Dream Act and do not need to report their parent or guardian’s information. Neither legal guardians nor foster parents are considered parents when completing the FAFSA or CA Dream Act.
WHO QUALIFIES:
All high school juniors and seniors and college students who need help applying for financial aid!
Remember: The FAFSA and CA Dream Act Application must be completed to receive consideration for state and federal financial aid, including grants, scholarships, loans and work-study opportunities.
BECOME A VOLUNTEER OR HOST A WORKSHOP:
Volunteers are needed to support workshop organizers and attendees (student applicants and their guardians) and host workshops.
Find a Financial Aid Completion Clinic/Workshop Near You!
Find the Financial Aid Completion Clinic/Workshop nearest to you, and get free help completing your FAFSA, CA Dream Act application or Chafee Grant application.
Contact Maria Marquez Alvarez for more information.