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We are, we are, the painters of our world.
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We are, we are, creators.
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We decide what goes.
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Welcome to another episode of
the Educate Elevate podcast.
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I'm your host, Danny Morrison.
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Now you know that on this show, we
are all about the game changing power
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of higher education, the hope and
belief that every person deserves the
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opportunity to build a brighter future
for themselves and those around them.
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In other episodes, we've talked about how
a degree or certificate from a California
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community college can be your gateway
to a better job, a higher income, and
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a future filled with possibilities.
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But as promising as this all sounds,
I know what some of you are thinking.
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College sounds great, but how in the
world am I supposed to afford it?
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Let me stop you right there,
because the truth is you don't
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have to let money get in the way
of your education or your dreams.
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Not here in California, not at a
community college, but if you're
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planning to enroll in the fall or even
thinking about it, there's one date you
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absolutely should remember. September 2nd.
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Many students still don't know that
you can get financial aid at community
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colleges, and even though community
colleges have some of the lowest
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tuition costs in the country, what's
affordable for one student might
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still be too expensive for another.
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Now you can apply for financial aid
anytime, but to get the most help,
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make sure to apply by September 2nd
in order to qualify for a Cal Grant.
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If you miss that deadline, you
can still get financial help,
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but it might be a lot less.
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To apply, you'll need to fill out
either the FAFSA, that's the free
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application for Federal Student Aid,
or the CADAA, the California Dream Act
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application, which is specifically for
dreamer students who can't get federal
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aid, but can still get help from the
state and from the college you attend.
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And listen, I get it.
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It's easy to let things
slip over the summer.
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You're working, you're chilling,
you're living life, but missing
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this deadline could mean leaving
thousands of dollars on the table.
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Money that could cover your classes,
your books, and even help with
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your basic living expenses like
transportation, food, and housing.
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That's worth every second, but
don't just take my word for it.
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Let's get to our first guest.
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Our first guest is Gina Browne.
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Gina is Assistant Vice Chancellor
for Programs and Strategic Operations
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at the California Community
College's Chancellor's Office.
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Gina, welcome.
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Thank you for having me.
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Now, that's a big and impressive title.
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That's a mouthful for sure.
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Let's start by you sharing your journey
and how you got to where you are today.
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Sure.
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So I've been in higher education
for over 20 years, but it was
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a long journey to get here.
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My own education journey, I think
is what really landed me here.
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I was a student at the community
colleges back in the early nineties,
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and I was not successful at all.
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I did not have the financial
support, the emotional support.
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I was housing insecure for some time.
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So I chose to work and I stopped
going to college altogether.
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And then I got a full-time job
one day I was working, I used to work
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for, it's a company called EdFund.
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Representatives from CSU Sacramento
came and saw us and they were offering
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a program for working adults where they
would give us credit for prior learning.
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And so I was like, why not lemme try it.
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And so they were offering me 30 units
of credit for prior learning, for
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all of my previous work experience.
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So that shaved a to a whole year
off of my edu–my bachelor's degree.
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And I was 30 years old at the time.
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So I didn't get my degree till I was 30.
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But then I realized that.
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It was so important to have
people to guide and to give
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advice and to help those who are
struggling to get a college degree.
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And I knew that was something that I would
be very good at because there would be
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so many people who needed, like I did.
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I graduated, I said at 30 I got my
bachelor's degree in education.
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And then I went on to work at a
community college in the Bay Area.
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And then while I was there, I got my
master's degree in education counseling
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from San Jose State University.
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Moved back to Sacramento and then I
got a job at the Community College
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Chancellor's office doing what I do.
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Now there's a lot of perceived barriers for
students considering higher education
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and the cost and fear of going into
debt are at the top of the list.
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What do you say to that?
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I say that you cannot let
fear keep you from trying to
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achieve your college dreams.
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Financial aid is available
to help overcome the barriers
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and help ease those fears.
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There's all kinds of helps
available to students financially
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that can help them pay for.
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The cost of going to college,
books, supplies, housing,
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and everything like that.
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But the only way that you can overcome
those barriers and overcome the fears
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is to learn what's available for you.
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And the way you learn what's available is
by applying for financial aid every year.
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And in terms of the barriers
there is our community colleges
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have so many levels of support.
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There's housing support, mental
health support, tutoring, there
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could be transportation support.
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So there are barriers, but there
are built in mechanisms to help
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students overcome those barriers.
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Mm. So some of our viewers and
listeners may have heard of FAFSA.
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CADAA, but can you break it down for us?
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What are these forms?
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Why are they important and
how are they different?
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Sure.
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So we've got FAFSA and CADAA or
California Dream Act application
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and what they are, they are the
applications to get financial aid.
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So that's what they are.
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Number one, FAFSA or the free application
for federal student aid is for students
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who have social security numbers
or they are permanent residents.
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And then the CADAA or DREAM
Act application is for
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our undocumented students.
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So basically they're the applications
if students fill them out so they
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can see how much financial aid
they're eligible for every year.
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Some people think financial aid is only
for low income students interested in
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going to college, many self disqualify
for various reasons, such thinking they
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may make too much money for completing the
forms too difficult, et cetera, et cetera.
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What do you say to that?
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I say never tell yourself no.
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In any situation, right?
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So you never disqualify yourself,
especially for financial aid.
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The only way you'll know if
you're eligible is if you apply.
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There are some forms of financial
aid for low in the lower incomes,
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and those are things like the Pell
Grant or the Cal Grant, but there's
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so much financial aid available
that is not financially need based.
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There's work study, there's
scholarships, there are even loans,
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but the only way to find out what
you're eligible for is to apply.
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Now, there's one date that keeps
popping up over and over throughout
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this podcast, and that is September
2nd, September 2nd, September 2nd.
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Why is this deadline so
important specifically for
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community college students?
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September 2nd is the deadline for the Cal
Grant Community College Entitlement Award.
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Mm-hmm.
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And the most important part
of that is entitlement.
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That means if you are eligible
and you apply, you get it right.
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So that's why September
2nd is super important.
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That also opens up all other
federal financial aid, including
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those work, study and loans.
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Mm. It's also many scholarships also
require students to complete the FAFSA.
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It may not be by September 2nd,
but why not do it by September 2nd
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to see for maximum eligibility?
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Now, you mentioned the FAFSA.
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What information is needed
to complete the FAFSA?
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For the FAFSA, you are gonna need
your social security number, and if
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you're a dependent student, you're
gonna need information about your
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parents, but you're gonna gonna also
need financial information, household
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income, household size, and then
you also need to know the schools
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that you're interested in attending.
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Same thing for the Dream Act application
as well, except for there's no social
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security number, but you still do
have to provide information about your
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parents and the financial information.
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So I heard the FAFSA is now
easier than it was before.
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What's new?
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What's different and
what can students expect?
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Sure.
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Let me just for a little bit of context.
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Back when I was doing the
FAFSA in the nineties, it was
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well over a hundred questions.
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Today it's down to about
30 to 36 per student.
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Wow.
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So it's way easier, way fewer questions.
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What's different is the questions
are more directed to students.
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So students don't have to
answer every single question.
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They're only gonna have to
answer the questions that are
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relevant to their situation.
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And then once they submit the
application, they will hear
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directly from Federal Student Aid.
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They're the ones who process the
application, and that information will
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be sent to their colleges that they
listed, and then they'll be contacted
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by their colleges for more information.
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So what are the most common mistakes
students make when filling out the FAFSA
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and how can these mistakes be avoided?
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Sure.
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So a couple of the mistakes are they
don't actually submit the application.
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So throughout the application it'll
allow you to save, but you gotta
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hit that submit button at the end.
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Mm-hmm.
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So you gotta make sure you do that.
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Many times the students will not list
their parents' information if they're
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dependent student or they just kind of
read through the questions too quickly.
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Mm-hmm.
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So while the application is
shorter, you still need to
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make sure you take your time.
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Read the questions and then
answer 'em the best you can.
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Now, if there's any time where the
student is not sure what to do, or
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they're afraid of making a mistake,
there's so much help available.
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To help students complete the FAFSA,
they can go to the college that they
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think they may attend to ask for help.
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There's a help desk line for the FAFSA,
so many resources on the FAFSA website
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that they can rely on for help to
avoid making the mistakes.
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For dreamers thinking about completing the CADAA,
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who receives this information,
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and should students be concerned?
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Well, I can't decide what level of concern
students have that is a personal,
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level of threshold.
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Their concern.
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I can tell you that only the
California Student Aid Commission.
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And the college that they list on their
applications receive their information.
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It is not shared with anyone
outside of California Student Aid
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Commission and the college, so
students can be assured of that.
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My understanding is that Dreamers or
AB540 students need to complete
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the CADAA instead of the FAFSA.
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Because they are not eligible to
receive federal financial aid.
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Can you also talk a little bit
about why it is so important for
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these students to complete their
application by September 2nd?
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Sure.
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While they may not be eligible for
federal financial aid, they are eligible
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for the CAL Grant Community College
Entitlement Grant, and that does have
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that September 2nd deadline, and that
opens up the CAL Grant for undocumented
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students, the same as any other student.
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You know, I like a lot of people when
I hear financial aid, I think tuition,
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but is there more to financial aid?
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Oh my goodness.
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Yes.
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So financial aid can help students
pay for books and supplies.
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Things like a laptop, you know, maybe
they need help with transportation.
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They can make their car payment with
financial aid, they can use financial
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aid to help them pay the rent.
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Now there are other forms of financial
aid more than just like direct dollars.
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Most colleges offer assistance
with transportation, childcare,
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um, health services, mental
health services, tutoring.
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Many of our colleges have food pantries.
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So there are so many ways of
support for students that are, is
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bigger than just financial aid.
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So other than visiting a financial aid
office, are there any other avenues
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one could take to get financial aid?
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Absolutely.
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The California Student Aid Commission
offers free cash for college workshops
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where they will walk students step
by step on how to complete the FAFSA.
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For more information, students can
go to the, I can go to college.com
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website to find a workshop near them.
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We keep talking about September
2nd, September 2nd, September 2nd.
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What happens if a student
misses that deadline?
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The good news is financial
aid is available year round.
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The September 2nd deadline is
important for students to be able to
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maximize the amount of aid they can
get, but things like scholarships and
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institutional aid are available all year.
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All right, let's bring it on home.
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Let's sum it all up.
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Once again.
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Who needs to submit a FAFSA?
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Any student who's even thinking
about going to college, what do
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students need to complete it?
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They need to have their
financial information, , for
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themselves and their parents.
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If they're dependent students and
they need to know which colleges they
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want to attend, they can go to the, I
can go to college.com website to get
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direct access to the applications.
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They'll also receive information
about the types of financial
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aid that are available and also.
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Get connected to colleges.
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What's the deadline?
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And importantly, where can
students go to get help?
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The deadline is September 2nd.
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They can go to the, I can go to
college website, or they can go to
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their local financial aid office.
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Gina Browne, on behalf of the
California Community Colleges and
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00:12:59,320 --> 00:13:02,323
the Educate Elevate Podcast, thank
you so much for your time today.
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It was my pleasure.
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00:13:03,240 --> 00:13:03,657
Thank you.
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Our next guest is Trajan Robinson.
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Trajan is currently studying
legal studies and rhetoric at UC
259
00:13:11,040 --> 00:13:15,211
Berkeley as a first year junior
transfer from Folsom Lake College.
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Trajan, thank you for being here.
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00:13:17,129 --> 00:13:20,591
Well, thanks for having me now, Trajan,
we're so happy to have you here.
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00:13:20,591 --> 00:13:22,802
Let's start by having you tell
us a little bit about yourself.
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Where are you from and what was life like
as a younger person and in high school?
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Yeah, so I moved around a lot, born
in Los Angeles, moved to the Bay Area
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00:13:32,895 --> 00:13:37,525
and then did the rest of my community
college in the Folsom Lake area.
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Um, attended pretty much every Los
Rios community College, but Folsom is
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where I did all my in-person classes.
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That's home.
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That's where I got my
associates, completed.
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So when did you start thinking
about college and what concerns
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did you have about going?
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00:13:52,331 --> 00:13:53,207
Great question.
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00:13:53,207 --> 00:13:56,085
I should have thought about it sooner,
but junior year of high school.
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00:13:56,377 --> 00:14:00,339
So Trajan, in your own words, tell
us why you think financial aid is
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00:14:00,339 --> 00:14:02,174
so important to so many students.
276
00:14:02,383 --> 00:14:05,135
So I think financial aid is
important to so many students
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00:14:05,427 --> 00:14:08,180
because many students don't know
how they're gonna afford college.
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00:14:08,180 --> 00:14:10,015
And many students', parents don't either.
279
00:14:10,474 --> 00:14:13,853
And that expectation from parents
is sometimes handed to students.
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00:14:14,103 --> 00:14:18,691
And that becomes an ingrained belief
about what they can do education-wise.
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00:14:18,691 --> 00:14:19,400
And that becomes.
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00:14:19,650 --> 00:14:24,154
Something about life potential and your
own goals, your own self-actualization.
283
00:14:24,446 --> 00:14:27,408
So I think that's very
important to a student's life.
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00:14:27,741 --> 00:14:31,120
If you think you can't afford college,
you most likely can and you should
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00:14:31,120 --> 00:14:34,290
apply and look at all the options
that there are to get through college.
286
00:14:34,290 --> 00:14:36,375
There's so many options
provided by the state.
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00:14:36,375 --> 00:14:37,167
There's so many grants.
288
00:14:37,167 --> 00:14:38,335
There's so many scholarships.
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00:14:38,544 --> 00:14:42,339
I used to think that, you know, there
wasn't that many, but there really are.
290
00:14:42,423 --> 00:14:44,675
So when did you first hear
about FAFSA and learn?
291
00:14:44,675 --> 00:14:47,928
It opens doors to many different
types of financial aid.
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00:14:48,220 --> 00:14:51,056
The first time I learned about
FAFSA was when I stepped onto
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00:14:51,056 --> 00:14:53,100
a community college campus.
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00:14:53,267 --> 00:14:53,434
Mm-hmm.
295
00:14:53,934 --> 00:14:57,479
So did you complete the FAFSA
before going to Folsom Lake College?
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00:14:57,730 --> 00:14:58,522
I did.
297
00:14:58,564 --> 00:15:00,566
I completed it with my mom.
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00:15:00,900 --> 00:15:04,820
Not always the funnest situation, but
yes, I got it done and I remember it.
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00:15:05,571 --> 00:15:06,530
So take us inside.
300
00:15:06,530 --> 00:15:08,449
What was the process like
filling out the form?
301
00:15:08,532 --> 00:15:10,367
So the form is much easier now.
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00:15:10,409 --> 00:15:13,621
You go online, you create an
account, and I believe that
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00:15:13,621 --> 00:15:14,997
there is a parent account as well.
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00:15:15,289 --> 00:15:18,500
That meshes with your account,
and then you just go through the steps.
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00:15:18,709 --> 00:15:23,130
You list, you know, how old you are, your
birthday address, parents provide their
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00:15:23,130 --> 00:15:26,425
income and, you know, taxes at some point.
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00:15:26,425 --> 00:15:27,676
And it's, it's pretty straightforward.
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00:15:27,676 --> 00:15:30,679
It's, it's way easier today, I wanna say.
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00:15:30,679 --> 00:15:32,306
When we get it done now, it's.
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00:15:32,640 --> 00:15:34,433
It's not more than an hour, right?
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00:15:34,475 --> 00:15:36,894
I don't remember spending
an hour on it lately.
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00:15:36,894 --> 00:15:40,314
I remember in the past when
we first did it, when it, the,
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00:15:40,314 --> 00:15:41,315
the website wasn't as new.
314
00:15:41,315 --> 00:15:42,900
We spent a little bit more time on it.
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00:15:43,317 --> 00:15:45,819
Um, and it was stressful, but
I feel like it just gets easier
316
00:15:45,819 --> 00:15:47,363
every year and that's no joke.
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00:15:47,363 --> 00:15:49,949
So I. Yeah, so did you get
any help or you do it solo?
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00:15:50,282 --> 00:15:51,659
Solo with the family
319
00:15:51,659 --> 00:15:55,079
I think that there was a lot of help
that the community colleges do provide,
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00:15:55,079 --> 00:15:59,500
and I wish I knew about that, and I
think they advertise it so well now.
321
00:15:59,500 --> 00:15:59,917
Mm-hmm.
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00:16:00,000 --> 00:16:02,795
I think so many individuals from
whatever campus you're at, or even just
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00:16:02,795 --> 00:16:07,299
from the system at large to help you
get that form done and get some money
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00:16:07,299 --> 00:16:08,384
so you can pay for your education.
325
00:16:08,676 --> 00:16:09,259
Hmm.
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00:16:09,510 --> 00:16:12,388
So for those watching or listening
right now, what tips would you
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00:16:12,388 --> 00:16:15,057
share on completing the FAFSA?
328
00:16:15,432 --> 00:16:16,350
What tips would I share?
329
00:16:16,350 --> 00:16:17,142
Good question.
330
00:16:17,142 --> 00:16:19,436
Well, first of all, I'd
say don't be afraid of it.
331
00:16:19,436 --> 00:16:20,187
It's just a form.
332
00:16:20,187 --> 00:16:21,230
It's just an application.
333
00:16:21,563 --> 00:16:23,941
It's not even on paper anymore, so
it's not even a physical threat.
334
00:16:24,274 --> 00:16:24,483
Ooh.
335
00:16:24,483 --> 00:16:24,692
Yeah.
336
00:16:24,900 --> 00:16:25,275
Well said.
337
00:16:25,317 --> 00:16:26,986
So now it's all online.
338
00:16:26,986 --> 00:16:28,195
Um, it's quite smooth.
339
00:16:28,278 --> 00:16:30,489
You know, you can go
through it pretty easily.
340
00:16:30,489 --> 00:16:33,242
Um, if your parents are busy,
which many parents are, that is
341
00:16:33,242 --> 00:16:34,326
the nature of being a parent.
342
00:16:34,326 --> 00:16:38,580
It doesn't take too much time for them,
so they can get through it pretty quickly.
343
00:16:38,789 --> 00:16:39,123
Yeah.
344
00:16:39,373 --> 00:16:42,835
So what advice would you give others
who think they don't qualify for
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00:16:42,835 --> 00:16:45,170
financial aid, who are worried
about getting the paperwork
346
00:16:45,170 --> 00:16:47,006
together and filling out the FAFSA?
347
00:16:47,131 --> 00:16:48,632
If you're looking to
receive a scholarship?
348
00:16:48,924 --> 00:16:52,177
From your institution
or from someone else.
349
00:16:52,177 --> 00:16:55,139
They typically send it to your school
or your district, and they look
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00:16:55,139 --> 00:16:56,849
to see if you applied for FAFSA.
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00:16:57,266 --> 00:17:01,228
So if you're looking to get a scholarship,
which I've had friends apply for outside
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00:17:01,228 --> 00:17:03,897
scholarships, they send it to your school
and well, the one thing that they're
353
00:17:03,897 --> 00:17:05,441
looking for is if you apply for FAFSA.
354
00:17:05,607 --> 00:17:05,733
Mm-hmm.
355
00:17:06,150 --> 00:17:08,235
They're not looking for a certain
criteria just to make sure that
356
00:17:08,235 --> 00:17:10,112
you're a student and et cetera.
357
00:17:10,279 --> 00:17:13,657
So it's very important for you to see if
you have money that's coming to you, which
358
00:17:13,699 --> 00:17:15,451
you possibly can, you most likely will.
359
00:17:15,784 --> 00:17:18,287
Or if you just wanna receieve scholarships at large,
360
00:17:18,287 --> 00:17:19,705
you need to have that FAFSA done.
361
00:17:19,997 --> 00:17:20,289
Mm-hmm.
362
00:17:20,956 --> 00:17:24,501
So what advice would you give current
and prospective community college
363
00:17:24,501 --> 00:17:27,921
students about submitting their
FAFSA or CADAA by September 2nd?
364
00:17:28,130 --> 00:17:31,216
I would say take a look at that
website and not only take a look,
365
00:17:31,216 --> 00:17:32,885
but sign up on that website.
366
00:17:33,260 --> 00:17:34,219
It's quite easy.
367
00:17:34,219 --> 00:17:35,179
It's quite quick.
368
00:17:35,429 --> 00:17:38,182
If you have any questions,
reach out to the institution
369
00:17:38,182 --> 00:17:39,099
and you're looking to attend.
370
00:17:39,099 --> 00:17:42,061
So whatever community college
that is, they all have something
371
00:17:42,061 --> 00:17:45,773
dedicated to financial aid and they
all, many of them have webinars.
372
00:17:46,023 --> 00:17:47,649
I know the system at large.
373
00:17:47,649 --> 00:17:50,986
The California Community College system
has lots of information about that.
374
00:17:51,236 --> 00:17:52,696
I can go to college.com.
375
00:17:53,363 --> 00:17:56,366
So much information that
is so easy to type in.
376
00:17:56,617 --> 00:17:57,910
I can go to college.com.
377
00:17:57,910 --> 00:18:02,289
It's like an affirmation, so just
type that in and there's more than
378
00:18:02,289 --> 00:18:05,417
enough information to answer all
questions that a student may have.
379
00:18:05,626 --> 00:18:09,379
So Trajan, when people think financial
aid, they usually think tuition, but
380
00:18:09,379 --> 00:18:10,756
it's so much more than that, isn't it?
381
00:18:11,340 --> 00:18:12,591
It is so much more than that.
382
00:18:12,591 --> 00:18:14,009
These students have to feed themselves.
383
00:18:14,009 --> 00:18:15,552
Sometimes they're feeding families.
384
00:18:15,594 --> 00:18:17,012
There can be car payments in the mix.
385
00:18:17,262 --> 00:18:19,890
We live in California, so that's
very real for a lot of students.
386
00:18:19,973 --> 00:18:23,977
So financial aid can assist
students paying for those things.
387
00:18:24,311 --> 00:18:26,897
There are students that are food insecure.
388
00:18:26,897 --> 00:18:30,567
Technology insecure financial aid
can help students afford that.
389
00:18:30,567 --> 00:18:34,404
There are options at your local
community college to apply for.
390
00:18:34,613 --> 00:18:37,658
Food benefits Snap or CalFresh.
391
00:18:37,699 --> 00:18:38,826
There are food pantries.
392
00:18:38,826 --> 00:18:44,123
I've worked on campus at a food pantry
and given food out to students who needed
393
00:18:44,123 --> 00:18:47,459
food, who were food insecure, or even
students that were housing insecure.
394
00:18:47,501 --> 00:18:51,296
There's so many things you can
get at a community college that.
395
00:18:51,463 --> 00:18:54,299
Folks don't know about, and I just
think it's important for students to
396
00:18:54,299 --> 00:18:59,012
know about that because college is not
only the cost of attending the college,
397
00:18:59,012 --> 00:19:02,766
like literally paying for tuition,
but it is all of those life things
398
00:19:03,058 --> 00:19:07,771
and many of those life things, their
support for that, that support exists.
399
00:19:07,855 --> 00:19:11,191
All of it starts for students by
stopping by their financial aid office.
400
00:19:11,400 --> 00:19:13,986
Now, you mentioned earlier that you
don't even have to fill out physical
401
00:19:13,986 --> 00:19:16,113
pages to do the application anymore.
402
00:19:16,113 --> 00:19:18,949
There's an actual website that you
can go to to fill out the FAFSA.
403
00:19:19,074 --> 00:19:19,533
Where is that?
404
00:19:20,117 --> 00:19:24,288
Yeah, so that is now on,
I can go to college.com.
405
00:19:24,288 --> 00:19:27,166
That has access to the FAFSA on there.
406
00:19:27,207 --> 00:19:31,253
I think of that website as a one-stop
shop for everything you need to
407
00:19:31,295 --> 00:19:35,132
get in a community college and some
information for how you're gonna
408
00:19:35,132 --> 00:19:37,176
get through if that is your path.
409
00:19:37,426 --> 00:19:39,761
So Trajan five years from now,
410
00:19:39,761 --> 00:19:41,388
where is Trajan?
411
00:19:41,388 --> 00:19:42,222
Five years from now?
412
00:19:42,222 --> 00:19:43,265
That's a great question.
413
00:19:43,432 --> 00:19:48,770
I would have graduated with my law
degree from where is to be determined.
414
00:19:49,021 --> 00:19:51,773
I'm excited to apply next year.
415
00:19:52,149 --> 00:19:57,404
I'm currently in the process of studying
for the LSAT, which is exciting.
416
00:19:57,404 --> 00:20:00,741
It's something I've been thinking about
for a long time, law school had always
417
00:20:00,741 --> 00:20:03,702
felt so far away and now it's here.
418
00:20:04,036 --> 00:20:07,080
So Trajan, on behalf of the
California Community Colleges and
419
00:20:07,080 --> 00:20:10,292
the Educate Elevate Podcast, thank
you so much for your time today.
420
00:20:10,751 --> 00:20:11,585
Thank you for having me.
421
00:20:12,419 --> 00:20:17,716
Now it’s time for one of my favorite parts of the show. You know how we do on the Educate Elevate Podcast.
422
00:20:17,716 --> 00:20:22,387
This is a former community college student that you have got to witness. Check this out.
423
00:22:32,642 --> 00:22:35,062
Thank you to our guests for
coming onto the show today.
424
00:22:35,604 --> 00:22:39,983
As you've heard, financial aid can be
the game changer that opens the door
425
00:22:39,983 --> 00:22:44,571
to your next chapter, but only if
you take action and take it on time.
426
00:22:45,238 --> 00:22:48,408
September 2nd is your chance to
make it happen for this fall.
427
00:22:48,784 --> 00:22:53,163
Complete your FAFSA or CADAA before
that date and give yourself the
428
00:22:53,163 --> 00:22:56,875
chance to receive the most money
available to help pay for college.
429
00:22:57,125 --> 00:23:00,879
That means grants, scholarships,
and other resources that can
430
00:23:00,879 --> 00:23:02,422
make college more affordable.
431
00:23:02,964 --> 00:23:05,884
Whether you're just starting
out changing careers or heading
432
00:23:05,884 --> 00:23:07,386
back to school after a break.
433
00:23:07,928 --> 00:23:12,099
California's community colleges are
here for you and there's financial
434
00:23:12,099 --> 00:23:14,267
support ready to help you along the way.
435
00:23:14,935 --> 00:23:18,563
To get started visit, I
can go to college.com.
436
00:23:19,106 --> 00:23:23,610
Click on the Financial Aid and Support
Services tab and you'll find everything
437
00:23:23,610 --> 00:23:28,615
you need from information on grants,
scholarships, work study programs,
438
00:23:28,740 --> 00:23:32,911
and other financial aid support such
as loans, free food and clothing,
439
00:23:33,245 --> 00:23:35,247
and even free mental health services.
440
00:23:35,997 --> 00:23:40,168
You'll also find links to complete
your FAFSA or CADAA and much more.
441
00:23:40,710 --> 00:23:46,007
That's I can go to college.com because
your education and your ability to
442
00:23:46,007 --> 00:23:49,886
chase the dreams of tomorrow shouldn't
be limited by your bank account today.
443
00:23:50,429 --> 00:23:53,306
Don't delay the time to act is now.
444
00:23:53,682 --> 00:23:58,145
And as always, remember that to educate, is to elevate.
00:00:00,959 --> 00:00:04,879
We are, we are, the painters of our world.
2
00:00:04,879 --> 00:00:07,674
We are, we are, creators.
3
00:00:07,674 --> 00:00:09,551
We decide what goes.
4
00:00:09,551 --> 00:00:12,804
Welcome to another episode of
the Educate Elevate podcast.
5
00:00:12,804 --> 00:00:14,514
I'm your host, Danny Morrison.
6
00:00:15,223 --> 00:00:19,686
Now you know that on this show, we
are all about the game changing power
7
00:00:19,686 --> 00:00:23,940
of higher education, the hope and
belief that every person deserves the
8
00:00:23,940 --> 00:00:28,194
opportunity to build a brighter future
for themselves and those around them.
9
00:00:28,903 --> 00:00:33,658
In other episodes, we've talked about how
a degree or certificate from a California
10
00:00:33,658 --> 00:00:38,329
community college can be your gateway
to a better job, a higher income, and
11
00:00:38,329 --> 00:00:40,498
a future filled with possibilities.
12
00:00:40,790 --> 00:00:44,878
But as promising as this all sounds,
I know what some of you are thinking.
13
00:00:45,462 --> 00:00:49,132
College sounds great, but how in the
world am I supposed to afford it?
14
00:00:50,050 --> 00:00:53,303
Let me stop you right there,
because the truth is you don't
15
00:00:53,303 --> 00:00:56,639
have to let money get in the way
of your education or your dreams.
16
00:00:57,474 --> 00:01:01,811
Not here in California, not at a
community college, but if you're
17
00:01:01,811 --> 00:01:06,816
planning to enroll in the fall or even
thinking about it, there's one date you
18
00:01:06,816 --> 00:01:10,320
absolutely should remember. September 2nd.
19
00:01:10,779 --> 00:01:14,657
Many students still don't know that
you can get financial aid at community
20
00:01:14,657 --> 00:01:18,870
colleges, and even though community
colleges have some of the lowest
21
00:01:18,870 --> 00:01:23,291
tuition costs in the country, what's
affordable for one student might
22
00:01:23,291 --> 00:01:25,043
still be too expensive for another.
23
00:01:25,835 --> 00:01:30,006
Now you can apply for financial aid
anytime, but to get the most help,
24
00:01:30,381 --> 00:01:34,677
make sure to apply by September 2nd
in order to qualify for a Cal Grant.
25
00:01:35,178 --> 00:01:38,515
If you miss that deadline, you
can still get financial help,
26
00:01:38,723 --> 00:01:40,308
but it might be a lot less.
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00:01:40,767 --> 00:01:44,771
To apply, you'll need to fill out
either the FAFSA, that's the free
28
00:01:44,771 --> 00:01:49,567
application for Federal Student Aid,
or the CADAA, the California Dream Act
29
00:01:49,567 --> 00:01:54,280
application, which is specifically for
dreamer students who can't get federal
30
00:01:54,280 --> 00:01:58,368
aid, but can still get help from the
state and from the college you attend.
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00:01:59,160 --> 00:02:00,703
And listen, I get it.
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00:02:01,121 --> 00:02:03,623
It's easy to let things
slip over the summer.
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00:02:03,832 --> 00:02:08,294
You're working, you're chilling,
you're living life, but missing
34
00:02:08,294 --> 00:02:11,965
this deadline could mean leaving
thousands of dollars on the table.
35
00:02:12,090 --> 00:02:15,718
Money that could cover your classes,
your books, and even help with
36
00:02:15,718 --> 00:02:20,390
your basic living expenses like
transportation, food, and housing.
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00:02:21,141 --> 00:02:25,019
That's worth every second, but
don't just take my word for it.
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00:02:25,562 --> 00:02:26,855
Let's get to our first guest.
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00:02:27,355 --> 00:02:29,357
Our first guest is Gina Browne.
40
00:02:29,732 --> 00:02:34,529
Gina is Assistant Vice Chancellor
for Programs and Strategic Operations
41
00:02:34,737 --> 00:02:37,323
at the California Community
College's Chancellor's Office.
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00:02:37,323 --> 00:02:38,449
Gina, welcome.
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00:02:38,533 --> 00:02:39,450
Thank you for having me.
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00:02:39,826 --> 00:02:41,286
Now, that's a big and impressive title.
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00:02:41,369 --> 00:02:42,996
That's a mouthful for sure.
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00:02:43,288 --> 00:02:47,292
Let's start by you sharing your journey
and how you got to where you are today.
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00:02:48,209 --> 00:02:48,626
Sure.
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00:02:48,626 --> 00:02:52,881
So I've been in higher education
for over 20 years, but it was
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00:02:52,881 --> 00:02:54,007
a long journey to get here.
50
00:02:54,048 --> 00:02:57,135
My own education journey, I think
is what really landed me here.
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00:02:57,719 --> 00:03:01,097
I was a student at the community
colleges back in the early nineties,
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00:03:01,222 --> 00:03:03,099
and I was not successful at all.
53
00:03:03,224 --> 00:03:06,895
I did not have the financial
support, the emotional support.
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00:03:07,228 --> 00:03:09,480
I was housing insecure for some time.
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00:03:09,814 --> 00:03:12,775
So I chose to work and I stopped
going to college altogether.
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00:03:13,568 --> 00:03:16,446
And then I got a full-time job
one day I was working, I used to work
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00:03:16,446 --> 00:03:18,031
for, it's a company called EdFund.
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00:03:18,031 --> 00:03:22,035
Representatives from CSU Sacramento
came and saw us and they were offering
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00:03:22,285 --> 00:03:25,997
a program for working adults where they
would give us credit for prior learning.
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00:03:26,414 --> 00:03:29,000
And so I was like, why not lemme try it.
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00:03:29,167 --> 00:03:33,004
And so they were offering me 30 units
of credit for prior learning, for
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00:03:33,004 --> 00:03:34,839
all of my previous work experience.
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00:03:35,131 --> 00:03:40,178
So that shaved a to a whole year
off of my edu–my bachelor's degree.
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00:03:40,261 --> 00:03:41,679
And I was 30 years old at the time.
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00:03:42,013 --> 00:03:43,514
So I didn't get my degree till I was 30.
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But then I realized that.
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00:03:46,434 --> 00:03:51,397
It was so important to have
people to guide and to give
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00:03:51,564 --> 00:03:56,152
advice and to help those who are
struggling to get a college degree.
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00:03:56,152 --> 00:03:59,989
And I knew that was something that I would
be very good at because there would be
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so many people who needed, like I did.
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00:04:02,242 --> 00:04:05,995
I graduated, I said at 30 I got my
bachelor's degree in education.
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00:04:06,246 --> 00:04:10,166
And then I went on to work at a
community college in the Bay Area.
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00:04:10,333 --> 00:04:14,504
And then while I was there, I got my
master's degree in education counseling
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00:04:14,504 --> 00:04:15,964
from San Jose State University.
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00:04:16,631 --> 00:04:19,801
Moved back to Sacramento and then I
got a job at the Community College
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00:04:19,801 --> 00:04:23,096
Chancellor's office doing what I do.
77
00:04:23,263 --> 00:04:27,100
Now there's a lot of perceived barriers for
students considering higher education
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00:04:27,100 --> 00:04:30,561
and the cost and fear of going into
debt are at the top of the list.
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00:04:30,561 --> 00:04:31,479
What do you say to that?
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00:04:32,188 --> 00:04:36,818
I say that you cannot let
fear keep you from trying to
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00:04:36,818 --> 00:04:38,152
achieve your college dreams.
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00:04:38,528 --> 00:04:42,073
Financial aid is available
to help overcome the barriers
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00:04:42,073 --> 00:04:43,533
and help ease those fears.
84
00:04:44,033 --> 00:04:47,287
There's all kinds of helps
available to students financially
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00:04:47,287 --> 00:04:48,204
that can help them pay for.
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00:04:48,788 --> 00:04:52,000
The cost of going to college,
books, supplies, housing,
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00:04:52,000 --> 00:04:53,251
and everything like that.
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00:04:53,626 --> 00:04:59,632
But the only way that you can overcome
those barriers and overcome the fears
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00:04:59,841 --> 00:05:01,592
is to learn what's available for you.
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00:05:01,718 --> 00:05:05,346
And the way you learn what's available is
by applying for financial aid every year.
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00:05:05,722 --> 00:05:09,559
And in terms of the barriers
there is our community colleges
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00:05:09,559 --> 00:05:11,227
have so many levels of support.
93
00:05:11,519 --> 00:05:16,607
There's housing support, mental
health support, tutoring, there
94
00:05:16,607 --> 00:05:18,234
could be transportation support.
95
00:05:18,234 --> 00:05:21,779
So there are barriers, but there
are built in mechanisms to help
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00:05:21,779 --> 00:05:23,531
students overcome those barriers.
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00:05:23,698 --> 00:05:27,577
Mm. So some of our viewers and
listeners may have heard of FAFSA.
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00:05:28,119 --> 00:05:30,997
CADAA, but can you break it down for us?
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00:05:30,997 --> 00:05:31,873
What are these forms?
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00:05:31,873 --> 00:05:33,624
Why are they important and
how are they different?
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00:05:33,750 --> 00:05:34,167
Sure.
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00:05:34,500 --> 00:05:38,546
So we've got FAFSA and CADAA or
California Dream Act application
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00:05:38,588 --> 00:05:42,050
and what they are, they are the
applications to get financial aid.
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00:05:42,175 --> 00:05:42,925
So that's what they are.
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00:05:42,925 --> 00:05:48,389
Number one, FAFSA or the free application
for federal student aid is for students
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00:05:48,389 --> 00:05:52,852
who have social security numbers
or they are permanent residents.
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00:05:53,144 --> 00:05:55,897
And then the CADAA or DREAM
Act application is for
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00:05:55,897 --> 00:05:57,482
our undocumented students.
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00:05:58,024 --> 00:06:01,778
So basically they're the applications
if students fill them out so they
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00:06:01,778 --> 00:06:04,530
can see how much financial aid
they're eligible for every year.
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00:06:04,947 --> 00:06:08,951
Some people think financial aid is only
for low income students interested in
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00:06:08,951 --> 00:06:12,997
going to college, many self disqualify
for various reasons, such thinking they
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00:06:12,997 --> 00:06:17,043
may make too much money for completing the
forms too difficult, et cetera, et cetera.
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00:06:17,335 --> 00:06:18,628
What do you say to that?
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00:06:18,711 --> 00:06:20,755
I say never tell yourself no.
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00:06:20,755 --> 00:06:22,673
In any situation, right?
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00:06:22,673 --> 00:06:26,010
So you never disqualify yourself,
especially for financial aid.
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00:06:26,469 --> 00:06:29,806
The only way you'll know if
you're eligible is if you apply.
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00:06:29,972 --> 00:06:33,601
There are some forms of financial
aid for low in the lower incomes,
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00:06:33,726 --> 00:06:37,146
and those are things like the Pell
Grant or the Cal Grant, but there's
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00:06:37,146 --> 00:06:41,401
so much financial aid available
that is not financially need based.
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00:06:41,776 --> 00:06:45,113
There's work study, there's
scholarships, there are even loans,
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00:06:45,405 --> 00:06:48,950
but the only way to find out what
you're eligible for is to apply.
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00:06:49,575 --> 00:06:52,120
Now, there's one date that keeps
popping up over and over throughout
125
00:06:52,120 --> 00:06:55,665
this podcast, and that is September
2nd, September 2nd, September 2nd.
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00:06:55,748 --> 00:06:58,334
Why is this deadline so
important specifically for
127
00:06:58,334 --> 00:06:59,377
community college students?
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00:06:59,585 --> 00:07:04,340
September 2nd is the deadline for the Cal
Grant Community College Entitlement Award.
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00:07:04,424 --> 00:07:04,507
Mm-hmm.
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00:07:04,757 --> 00:07:06,843
And the most important part
of that is entitlement.
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00:07:06,884 --> 00:07:10,680
That means if you are eligible
and you apply, you get it right.
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00:07:10,680 --> 00:07:13,057
So that's why September
2nd is super important.
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00:07:13,391 --> 00:07:16,811
That also opens up all other
federal financial aid, including
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00:07:16,811 --> 00:07:18,187
those work, study and loans.
135
00:07:18,438 --> 00:07:22,525
Mm. It's also many scholarships also
require students to complete the FAFSA.
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00:07:22,859 --> 00:07:26,320
It may not be by September 2nd,
but why not do it by September 2nd
137
00:07:26,320 --> 00:07:28,823
to see for maximum eligibility?
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00:07:29,282 --> 00:07:30,783
Now, you mentioned the FAFSA.
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00:07:30,783 --> 00:07:32,952
What information is needed
to complete the FAFSA?
140
00:07:33,244 --> 00:07:36,456
For the FAFSA, you are gonna need
your social security number, and if
141
00:07:36,456 --> 00:07:39,000
you're a dependent student, you're
gonna need information about your
142
00:07:39,000 --> 00:07:43,629
parents, but you're gonna gonna also
need financial information, household
143
00:07:43,629 --> 00:07:47,884
income, household size, and then
you also need to know the schools
144
00:07:47,925 --> 00:07:49,427
that you're interested in attending.
145
00:07:50,344 --> 00:07:53,598
Same thing for the Dream Act application
as well, except for there's no social
146
00:07:53,598 --> 00:07:56,392
security number, but you still do
have to provide information about your
147
00:07:56,392 --> 00:07:58,186
parents and the financial information.
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00:07:58,686 --> 00:08:01,981
So I heard the FAFSA is now
easier than it was before.
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00:08:01,981 --> 00:08:02,607
What's new?
150
00:08:02,607 --> 00:08:04,817
What's different and
what can students expect?
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00:08:04,817 --> 00:08:05,568
Sure.
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00:08:05,568 --> 00:08:07,278
Let me just for a little bit of context.
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00:08:07,278 --> 00:08:09,864
Back when I was doing the
FAFSA in the nineties, it was
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00:08:09,864 --> 00:08:11,407
well over a hundred questions.
155
00:08:11,699 --> 00:08:15,203
Today it's down to about
30 to 36 per student.
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00:08:15,203 --> 00:08:15,286
Wow.
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00:08:15,536 --> 00:08:18,581
So it's way easier, way fewer questions.
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00:08:18,706 --> 00:08:21,459
What's different is the questions
are more directed to students.
159
00:08:21,459 --> 00:08:24,837
So students don't have to
answer every single question.
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00:08:24,837 --> 00:08:27,381
They're only gonna have to
answer the questions that are
161
00:08:27,381 --> 00:08:28,841
relevant to their situation.
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00:08:29,175 --> 00:08:31,886
And then once they submit the
application, they will hear
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00:08:31,886 --> 00:08:33,888
directly from Federal Student Aid.
164
00:08:33,930 --> 00:08:38,059
They're the ones who process the
application, and that information will
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00:08:38,059 --> 00:08:41,854
be sent to their colleges that they
listed, and then they'll be contacted
166
00:08:41,854 --> 00:08:43,606
by their colleges for more information.
167
00:08:43,773 --> 00:08:47,902
So what are the most common mistakes
students make when filling out the FAFSA
168
00:08:47,902 --> 00:08:50,154
and how can these mistakes be avoided?
169
00:08:50,988 --> 00:08:51,405
Sure.
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00:08:51,405 --> 00:08:56,118
So a couple of the mistakes are they
don't actually submit the application.
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00:08:56,285 --> 00:08:59,247
So throughout the application it'll
allow you to save, but you gotta
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00:08:59,247 --> 00:09:00,873
hit that submit button at the end.
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00:09:00,915 --> 00:09:00,998
Mm-hmm.
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00:09:01,249 --> 00:09:02,833
So you gotta make sure you do that.
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00:09:03,125 --> 00:09:08,172
Many times the students will not list
their parents' information if they're
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00:09:08,172 --> 00:09:14,136
dependent student or they just kind of
read through the questions too quickly.
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00:09:14,262 --> 00:09:14,345
Mm-hmm.
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00:09:14,595 --> 00:09:17,473
So while the application is
shorter, you still need to
179
00:09:17,473 --> 00:09:18,641
make sure you take your time.
180
00:09:19,058 --> 00:09:21,519
Read the questions and then
answer 'em the best you can.
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00:09:21,978 --> 00:09:26,399
Now, if there's any time where the
student is not sure what to do, or
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00:09:26,399 --> 00:09:30,069
they're afraid of making a mistake,
there's so much help available.
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00:09:30,361 --> 00:09:33,614
To help students complete the FAFSA,
they can go to the college that they
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00:09:33,614 --> 00:09:35,366
think they may attend to ask for help.
185
00:09:35,658 --> 00:09:40,955
There's a help desk line for the FAFSA,
so many resources on the FAFSA website
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00:09:40,955 --> 00:09:44,166
that they can rely on for help to
avoid making the mistakes.
187
00:09:44,166 --> 00:09:46,961
For dreamers thinking about completing the CADAA,
188
00:09:47,461 --> 00:09:49,046
who receives this information,
189
00:09:49,380 --> 00:09:50,923
and should students be concerned?
190
00:09:51,382 --> 00:09:56,971
Well, I can't decide what level of concern
students have that is a personal,
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00:09:57,221 --> 00:09:58,180
level of threshold.
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00:09:58,180 --> 00:09:59,015
Their concern.
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00:09:59,223 --> 00:10:02,602
I can tell you that only the
California Student Aid Commission.
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00:10:03,019 --> 00:10:06,939
And the college that they list on their
applications receive their information.
195
00:10:07,231 --> 00:10:11,694
It is not shared with anyone
outside of California Student Aid
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00:10:11,694 --> 00:10:14,780
Commission and the college, so
students can be assured of that.
197
00:10:15,323 --> 00:10:19,076
My understanding is that Dreamers or
AB540 students need to complete
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00:10:19,076 --> 00:10:21,078
the CADAA instead of the FAFSA.
199
00:10:21,412 --> 00:10:24,206
Because they are not eligible to
receive federal financial aid.
200
00:10:24,457 --> 00:10:27,460
Can you also talk a little bit
about why it is so important for
201
00:10:27,460 --> 00:10:29,712
these students to complete their
application by September 2nd?
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00:10:30,046 --> 00:10:30,338
Sure.
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00:10:30,338 --> 00:10:33,924
While they may not be eligible for
federal financial aid, they are eligible
204
00:10:33,924 --> 00:10:37,595
for the CAL Grant Community College
Entitlement Grant, and that does have
205
00:10:37,595 --> 00:10:41,849
that September 2nd deadline, and that
opens up the CAL Grant for undocumented
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00:10:41,849 --> 00:10:43,643
students, the same as any other student.
207
00:10:43,893 --> 00:10:47,730
You know, I like a lot of people when
I hear financial aid, I think tuition,
208
00:10:48,105 --> 00:10:50,316
but is there more to financial aid?
209
00:10:51,108 --> 00:10:51,817
Oh my goodness.
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00:10:51,817 --> 00:10:52,234
Yes.
211
00:10:52,526 --> 00:10:56,113
So financial aid can help students
pay for books and supplies.
212
00:10:56,280 --> 00:11:00,826
Things like a laptop, you know, maybe
they need help with transportation.
213
00:11:00,868 --> 00:11:04,622
They can make their car payment with
financial aid, they can use financial
214
00:11:04,622 --> 00:11:05,790
aid to help them pay the rent.
215
00:11:06,332 --> 00:11:10,670
Now there are other forms of financial
aid more than just like direct dollars.
216
00:11:10,711 --> 00:11:15,925
Most colleges offer assistance
with transportation, childcare,
217
00:11:16,300 --> 00:11:19,470
um, health services, mental
health services, tutoring.
218
00:11:19,720 --> 00:11:21,847
Many of our colleges have food pantries.
219
00:11:22,181 --> 00:11:26,477
So there are so many ways of
support for students that are, is
220
00:11:26,477 --> 00:11:28,187
bigger than just financial aid.
221
00:11:28,479 --> 00:11:32,733
So other than visiting a financial aid
office, are there any other avenues
222
00:11:32,733 --> 00:11:34,652
one could take to get financial aid?
223
00:11:35,319 --> 00:11:36,195
Absolutely.
224
00:11:36,195 --> 00:11:40,491
The California Student Aid Commission
offers free cash for college workshops
225
00:11:40,741 --> 00:11:44,370
where they will walk students step
by step on how to complete the FAFSA.
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00:11:44,995 --> 00:11:48,040
For more information, students can
go to the, I can go to college.com
227
00:11:48,040 --> 00:11:50,084
website to find a workshop near them.
228
00:11:50,668 --> 00:11:54,672
We keep talking about September
2nd, September 2nd, September 2nd.
229
00:11:55,047 --> 00:11:57,425
What happens if a student
misses that deadline?
230
00:11:58,050 --> 00:12:01,220
The good news is financial
aid is available year round.
231
00:12:01,595 --> 00:12:04,432
The September 2nd deadline is
important for students to be able to
232
00:12:04,432 --> 00:12:09,687
maximize the amount of aid they can
get, but things like scholarships and
233
00:12:09,854 --> 00:12:12,022
institutional aid are available all year.
234
00:12:13,190 --> 00:12:14,483
All right, let's bring it on home.
235
00:12:14,650 --> 00:12:15,484
Let's sum it all up.
236
00:12:15,484 --> 00:12:16,152
Once again.
237
00:12:16,569 --> 00:12:18,529
Who needs to submit a FAFSA?
238
00:12:18,696 --> 00:12:21,824
Any student who's even thinking
about going to college, what do
239
00:12:21,824 --> 00:12:22,950
students need to complete it?
240
00:12:23,159 --> 00:12:25,661
They need to have their
financial information, , for
241
00:12:25,661 --> 00:12:26,912
themselves and their parents.
242
00:12:26,912 --> 00:12:30,374
If they're dependent students and
they need to know which colleges they
243
00:12:30,374 --> 00:12:35,045
want to attend, they can go to the, I
can go to college.com website to get
244
00:12:35,087 --> 00:12:37,089
direct access to the applications.
245
00:12:37,214 --> 00:12:39,800
They'll also receive information
about the types of financial
246
00:12:39,800 --> 00:12:41,594
aid that are available and also.
247
00:12:41,886 --> 00:12:43,763
Get connected to colleges.
248
00:12:44,346 --> 00:12:45,473
What's the deadline?
249
00:12:45,473 --> 00:12:48,809
And importantly, where can
students go to get help?
250
00:12:49,268 --> 00:12:51,020
The deadline is September 2nd.
251
00:12:51,312 --> 00:12:54,273
They can go to the, I can go to
college website, or they can go to
252
00:12:54,273 --> 00:12:55,900
their local financial aid office.
253
00:12:56,150 --> 00:12:59,320
Gina Browne, on behalf of the
California Community Colleges and
254
00:12:59,320 --> 00:13:02,323
the Educate Elevate Podcast, thank
you so much for your time today.
255
00:13:02,406 --> 00:13:03,240
It was my pleasure.
256
00:13:03,240 --> 00:13:03,657
Thank you.
257
00:13:04,200 --> 00:13:06,702
Our next guest is Trajan Robinson.
258
00:13:07,161 --> 00:13:11,040
Trajan is currently studying
legal studies and rhetoric at UC
259
00:13:11,040 --> 00:13:15,211
Berkeley as a first year junior
transfer from Folsom Lake College.
260
00:13:15,211 --> 00:13:16,921
Trajan, thank you for being here.
261
00:13:17,129 --> 00:13:20,591
Well, thanks for having me now, Trajan,
we're so happy to have you here.
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00:13:20,591 --> 00:13:22,802
Let's start by having you tell
us a little bit about yourself.
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Where are you from and what was life like
as a younger person and in high school?
264
00:13:27,890 --> 00:13:32,770
Yeah, so I moved around a lot, born
in Los Angeles, moved to the Bay Area
265
00:13:32,895 --> 00:13:37,525
and then did the rest of my community
college in the Folsom Lake area.
266
00:13:37,900 --> 00:13:42,446
Um, attended pretty much every Los
Rios community College, but Folsom is
267
00:13:42,446 --> 00:13:43,989
where I did all my in-person classes.
268
00:13:43,989 --> 00:13:44,824
That's home.
269
00:13:44,824 --> 00:13:47,910
That's where I got my
associates, completed.
270
00:13:47,952 --> 00:13:51,330
So when did you start thinking
about college and what concerns
271
00:13:51,330 --> 00:13:52,206
did you have about going?
272
00:13:52,331 --> 00:13:53,207
Great question.
273
00:13:53,207 --> 00:13:56,085
I should have thought about it sooner,
but junior year of high school.
274
00:13:56,377 --> 00:14:00,339
So Trajan, in your own words, tell
us why you think financial aid is
275
00:14:00,339 --> 00:14:02,174
so important to so many students.
276
00:14:02,383 --> 00:14:05,135
So I think financial aid is
important to so many students
277
00:14:05,427 --> 00:14:08,180
because many students don't know
how they're gonna afford college.
278
00:14:08,180 --> 00:14:10,015
And many students', parents don't either.
279
00:14:10,474 --> 00:14:13,853
And that expectation from parents
is sometimes handed to students.
280
00:14:14,103 --> 00:14:18,691
And that becomes an ingrained belief
about what they can do education-wise.
281
00:14:18,691 --> 00:14:19,400
And that becomes.
282
00:14:19,650 --> 00:14:24,154
Something about life potential and your
own goals, your own self-actualization.
283
00:14:24,446 --> 00:14:27,408
So I think that's very
important to a student's life.
284
00:14:27,741 --> 00:14:31,120
If you think you can't afford college,
you most likely can and you should
285
00:14:31,120 --> 00:14:34,290
apply and look at all the options
that there are to get through college.
286
00:14:34,290 --> 00:14:36,375
There's so many options
provided by the state.
287
00:14:36,375 --> 00:14:37,167
There's so many grants.
288
00:14:37,167 --> 00:14:38,335
There's so many scholarships.
289
00:14:38,544 --> 00:14:42,339
I used to think that, you know, there
wasn't that many, but there really are.
290
00:14:42,423 --> 00:14:44,675
So when did you first hear
about FAFSA and learn?
291
00:14:44,675 --> 00:14:47,928
It opens doors to many different
types of financial aid.
292
00:14:48,220 --> 00:14:51,056
The first time I learned about
FAFSA was when I stepped onto
293
00:14:51,056 --> 00:14:53,100
a community college campus.
294
00:14:53,267 --> 00:14:53,434
Mm-hmm.
295
00:14:53,934 --> 00:14:57,479
So did you complete the FAFSA
before going to Folsom Lake College?
296
00:14:57,730 --> 00:14:58,522
I did.
297
00:14:58,564 --> 00:15:00,566
I completed it with my mom.
298
00:15:00,900 --> 00:15:04,820
Not always the funnest situation, but
yes, I got it done and I remember it.
299
00:15:05,571 --> 00:15:06,530
So take us inside.
300
00:15:06,530 --> 00:15:08,449
What was the process like
filling out the form?
301
00:15:08,532 --> 00:15:10,367
So the form is much easier now.
302
00:15:10,409 --> 00:15:13,621
You go online, you create an
account, and I believe that
303
00:15:13,621 --> 00:15:14,997
there is a parent account as well.
304
00:15:15,289 --> 00:15:18,500
That meshes with your account,
and then you just go through the steps.
305
00:15:18,709 --> 00:15:23,130
You list, you know, how old you are, your
birthday address, parents provide their
306
00:15:23,130 --> 00:15:26,425
income and, you know, taxes at some point.
307
00:15:26,425 --> 00:15:27,676
And it's, it's pretty straightforward.
308
00:15:27,676 --> 00:15:30,679
It's, it's way easier today, I wanna say.
309
00:15:30,679 --> 00:15:32,306
When we get it done now, it's.
310
00:15:32,640 --> 00:15:34,433
It's not more than an hour, right?
311
00:15:34,475 --> 00:15:36,894
I don't remember spending
an hour on it lately.
312
00:15:36,894 --> 00:15:40,314
I remember in the past when
we first did it, when it, the,
313
00:15:40,314 --> 00:15:41,315
the website wasn't as new.
314
00:15:41,315 --> 00:15:42,900
We spent a little bit more time on it.
315
00:15:43,317 --> 00:15:45,819
Um, and it was stressful, but
I feel like it just gets easier
316
00:15:45,819 --> 00:15:47,363
every year and that's no joke.
317
00:15:47,363 --> 00:15:49,949
So I. Yeah, so did you get
any help or you do it solo?
318
00:15:50,282 --> 00:15:51,659
Solo with the family
319
00:15:51,659 --> 00:15:55,079
I think that there was a lot of help
that the community colleges do provide,
320
00:15:55,079 --> 00:15:59,500
and I wish I knew about that, and I
think they advertise it so well now.
321
00:15:59,500 --> 00:15:59,917
Mm-hmm.
322
00:16:00,000 --> 00:16:02,795
I think so many individuals from
whatever campus you're at, or even just
323
00:16:02,795 --> 00:16:07,299
from the system at large to help you
get that form done and get some money
324
00:16:07,299 --> 00:16:08,384
so you can pay for your education.
325
00:16:08,676 --> 00:16:09,259
Hmm.
326
00:16:09,510 --> 00:16:12,388
So for those watching or listening
right now, what tips would you
327
00:16:12,388 --> 00:16:15,057
share on completing the FAFSA?
328
00:16:15,432 --> 00:16:16,350
What tips would I share?
329
00:16:16,350 --> 00:16:17,142
Good question.
330
00:16:17,142 --> 00:16:19,436
Well, first of all, I'd
say don't be afraid of it.
331
00:16:19,436 --> 00:16:20,187
It's just a form.
332
00:16:20,187 --> 00:16:21,230
It's just an application.
333
00:16:21,563 --> 00:16:23,941
It's not even on paper anymore, so
it's not even a physical threat.
334
00:16:24,274 --> 00:16:24,483
Ooh.
335
00:16:24,483 --> 00:16:24,692
Yeah.
336
00:16:24,900 --> 00:16:25,275
Well said.
337
00:16:25,317 --> 00:16:26,986
So now it's all online.
338
00:16:26,986 --> 00:16:28,195
Um, it's quite smooth.
339
00:16:28,278 --> 00:16:30,489
You know, you can go
through it pretty easily.
340
00:16:30,489 --> 00:16:33,242
Um, if your parents are busy,
which many parents are, that is
341
00:16:33,242 --> 00:16:34,326
the nature of being a parent.
342
00:16:34,326 --> 00:16:38,580
It doesn't take too much time for them,
so they can get through it pretty quickly.
343
00:16:38,789 --> 00:16:39,123
Yeah.
344
00:16:39,373 --> 00:16:42,835
So what advice would you give others
who think they don't qualify for
345
00:16:42,835 --> 00:16:45,170
financial aid, who are worried
about getting the paperwork
346
00:16:45,170 --> 00:16:47,006
together and filling out the FAFSA?
347
00:16:47,131 --> 00:16:48,632
If you're looking to
receive a scholarship?
348
00:16:48,924 --> 00:16:52,177
From your institution
or from someone else.
349
00:16:52,177 --> 00:16:55,139
They typically send it to your school
or your district, and they look
350
00:16:55,139 --> 00:16:56,849
to see if you applied for FAFSA.
351
00:16:57,266 --> 00:17:01,228
So if you're looking to get a scholarship,
which I've had friends apply for outside
352
00:17:01,228 --> 00:17:03,897
scholarships, they send it to your school
and well, the one thing that they're
353
00:17:03,897 --> 00:17:05,441
looking for is if you apply for FAFSA.
354
00:17:05,607 --> 00:17:05,733
Mm-hmm.
355
00:17:06,150 --> 00:17:08,235
They're not looking for a certain
criteria just to make sure that
356
00:17:08,235 --> 00:17:10,112
you're a student and et cetera.
357
00:17:10,279 --> 00:17:13,657
So it's very important for you to see if
you have money that's coming to you, which
358
00:17:13,699 --> 00:17:15,451
you possibly can, you most likely will.
359
00:17:15,784 --> 00:17:18,287
Or if you just wanna receieve scholarships at large,
360
00:17:18,287 --> 00:17:19,705
you need to have that FAFSA done.
361
00:17:19,997 --> 00:17:20,289
Mm-hmm.
362
00:17:20,956 --> 00:17:24,501
So what advice would you give current
and prospective community college
363
00:17:24,501 --> 00:17:27,921
students about submitting their
FAFSA or CADAA by September 2nd?
364
00:17:28,130 --> 00:17:31,216
I would say take a look at that
website and not only take a look,
365
00:17:31,216 --> 00:17:32,885
but sign up on that website.
366
00:17:33,260 --> 00:17:34,219
It's quite easy.
367
00:17:34,219 --> 00:17:35,179
It's quite quick.
368
00:17:35,429 --> 00:17:38,182
If you have any questions,
reach out to the institution
369
00:17:38,182 --> 00:17:39,099
and you're looking to attend.
370
00:17:39,099 --> 00:17:42,061
So whatever community college
that is, they all have something
371
00:17:42,061 --> 00:17:45,773
dedicated to financial aid and they
all, many of them have webinars.
372
00:17:46,023 --> 00:17:47,649
I know the system at large.
373
00:17:47,649 --> 00:17:50,986
The California Community College system
has lots of information about that.
374
00:17:51,236 --> 00:17:52,696
I can go to college.com.
375
00:17:53,363 --> 00:17:56,366
So much information that
is so easy to type in.
376
00:17:56,617 --> 00:17:57,910
I can go to college.com.
377
00:17:57,910 --> 00:18:02,289
It's like an affirmation, so just
type that in and there's more than
378
00:18:02,289 --> 00:18:05,417
enough information to answer all
questions that a student may have.
379
00:18:05,626 --> 00:18:09,379
So Trajan, when people think financial
aid, they usually think tuition, but
380
00:18:09,379 --> 00:18:10,756
it's so much more than that, isn't it?
381
00:18:11,340 --> 00:18:12,591
It is so much more than that.
382
00:18:12,591 --> 00:18:14,009
These students have to feed themselves.
383
00:18:14,009 --> 00:18:15,552
Sometimes they're feeding families.
384
00:18:15,594 --> 00:18:17,012
There can be car payments in the mix.
385
00:18:17,262 --> 00:18:19,890
We live in California, so that's
very real for a lot of students.
386
00:18:19,973 --> 00:18:23,977
So financial aid can assist
students paying for those things.
387
00:18:24,311 --> 00:18:26,897
There are students that are food insecure.
388
00:18:26,897 --> 00:18:30,567
Technology insecure financial aid
can help students afford that.
389
00:18:30,567 --> 00:18:34,404
There are options at your local
community college to apply for.
390
00:18:34,613 --> 00:18:37,658
Food benefits Snap or CalFresh.
391
00:18:37,699 --> 00:18:38,826
There are food pantries.
392
00:18:38,826 --> 00:18:44,123
I've worked on campus at a food pantry
and given food out to students who needed
393
00:18:44,123 --> 00:18:47,459
food, who were food insecure, or even
students that were housing insecure.
394
00:18:47,501 --> 00:18:51,296
There's so many things you can
get at a community college that.
395
00:18:51,463 --> 00:18:54,299
Folks don't know about, and I just
think it's important for students to
396
00:18:54,299 --> 00:18:59,012
know about that because college is not
only the cost of attending the college,
397
00:18:59,012 --> 00:19:02,766
like literally paying for tuition,
but it is all of those life things
398
00:19:03,058 --> 00:19:07,771
and many of those life things, their
support for that, that support exists.
399
00:19:07,855 --> 00:19:11,191
All of it starts for students by
stopping by their financial aid office.
400
00:19:11,400 --> 00:19:13,986
Now, you mentioned earlier that you
don't even have to fill out physical
401
00:19:13,986 --> 00:19:16,113
pages to do the application anymore.
402
00:19:16,113 --> 00:19:18,949
There's an actual website that you
can go to to fill out the FAFSA.
403
00:19:19,074 --> 00:19:19,533
Where is that?
404
00:19:20,117 --> 00:19:24,288
Yeah, so that is now on,
I can go to college.com.
405
00:19:24,288 --> 00:19:27,166
That has access to the FAFSA on there.
406
00:19:27,207 --> 00:19:31,253
I think of that website as a one-stop
shop for everything you need to
407
00:19:31,295 --> 00:19:35,132
get in a community college and some
information for how you're gonna
408
00:19:35,132 --> 00:19:37,176
get through if that is your path.
409
00:19:37,426 --> 00:19:39,761
So Trajan five years from now,
410
00:19:39,761 --> 00:19:41,388
where is Trajan?
411
00:19:41,388 --> 00:19:42,222
Five years from now?
412
00:19:42,222 --> 00:19:43,265
That's a great question.
413
00:19:43,432 --> 00:19:48,770
I would have graduated with my law
degree from where is to be determined.
414
00:19:49,021 --> 00:19:51,773
I'm excited to apply next year.
415
00:19:52,149 --> 00:19:57,404
I'm currently in the process of studying
for the LSAT, which is exciting.
416
00:19:57,404 --> 00:20:00,741
It's something I've been thinking about
for a long time, law school had always
417
00:20:00,741 --> 00:20:03,702
felt so far away and now it's here.
418
00:20:04,036 --> 00:20:07,080
So Trajan, on behalf of the
California Community Colleges and
419
00:20:07,080 --> 00:20:10,292
the Educate Elevate Podcast, thank
you so much for your time today.
420
00:20:10,751 --> 00:20:11,585
Thank you for having me.
421
00:20:12,419 --> 00:20:17,716
Now it’s time for one of my favorite parts of the show. You know how we do on the Educate Elevate Podcast.
422
00:20:17,716 --> 00:20:22,387
This is a former community college student that you have got to witness. Check this out.
423
00:22:32,642 --> 00:22:35,062
Thank you to our guests for
coming onto the show today.
424
00:22:35,604 --> 00:22:39,983
As you've heard, financial aid can be
the game changer that opens the door
425
00:22:39,983 --> 00:22:44,571
to your next chapter, but only if
you take action and take it on time.
426
00:22:45,238 --> 00:22:48,408
September 2nd is your chance to
make it happen for this fall.
427
00:22:48,784 --> 00:22:53,163
Complete your FAFSA or CADAA before
that date and give yourself the
428
00:22:53,163 --> 00:22:56,875
chance to receive the most money
available to help pay for college.
429
00:22:57,125 --> 00:23:00,879
That means grants, scholarships,
and other resources that can
430
00:23:00,879 --> 00:23:02,422
make college more affordable.
431
00:23:02,964 --> 00:23:05,884
Whether you're just starting
out changing careers or heading
432
00:23:05,884 --> 00:23:07,386
back to school after a break.
433
00:23:07,928 --> 00:23:12,099
California's community colleges are
here for you and there's financial
434
00:23:12,099 --> 00:23:14,267
support ready to help you along the way.
435
00:23:14,935 --> 00:23:18,563
To get started visit, I
can go to college.com.
436
00:23:19,106 --> 00:23:23,610
Click on the Financial Aid and Support
Services tab and you'll find everything
437
00:23:23,610 --> 00:23:28,615
you need from information on grants,
scholarships, work study programs,
438
00:23:28,740 --> 00:23:32,911
and other financial aid support such
as loans, free food and clothing,
439
00:23:33,245 --> 00:23:35,247
and even free mental health services.
440
00:23:35,997 --> 00:23:40,168
You'll also find links to complete
your FAFSA or CADAA and much more.
441
00:23:40,710 --> 00:23:46,007
That's I can go to college.com because
your education and your ability to
442
00:23:46,007 --> 00:23:49,886
chase the dreams of tomorrow shouldn't
be limited by your bank account today.
443
00:23:50,429 --> 00:23:53,306
Don't delay the time to act is now.
444
00:23:53,682 --> 00:23:58,145
And as always, remember that to educate, is to elevate.
