YCOE, Woodland Community College Hosting Financial Aid Workshop

Woodland, CA - To increase the number of students eligible for financial aid, the Yolo County Office of Education (YCOE) and Woodland Community College are hosting a Statewide Financial Aid Workshop on October 10, 2022, from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. The workshop will be held in person at the county office, located at 1280 Santa Anita Court in Woodland.

The free, half-day workshop will provide valuable information on how to best assist high school students with applying for and receiving financial aid for college or post-secondary education.

The workshop is targeted at high school counselors, student advisors, student advocacy groups, outreach specialists, and community-based education partners. Individuals can register for the workshop at www.bit.ly/ASFAW22-23.

The workshop will be presented by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC). The commission is presenting the workshop in over 65 locations throughout the state and virtually. The workshop in Woodland is the only planned workshop in Yolo County.

“Our mission is to promote educational equity by making higher education affordable and accessible for all California students and this is only possible with the help of dedicated professionals,” said Leslie Matthews, CSAC Training and Outreach Manager. “We applaud our educators for taking the right steps towards being better equipped to support their students with their college-going experience."

A significant portion of the workshop will center around new financial aid requirements for all graduating seniors in California. Starting this school year, the state will require school districts to confirm that all high school seniors have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act application.

According to CSAC, only 53 percent of high school seniors in California last year completed a FAFSA or Dream Act application. The applications are required from students seeking federal or state financial aid to support their post-secondary education.

March 2, 2023, is the priority deadline for completion of the FAFSA or California Dream Act application for current high school seniors. Students attending any Cal Grant eligible schools should apply by this date.

High school seniors and their families seeking resources on financial aid are encouraged to attend one of the upcoming virtual ‘Cash for College’ workshops hosted throughout the county. During each workshop, students and their families will receive direct support to complete their financial aid applications.

The workshops are scheduled as follows:

• Woodland Community College – October 15 from 9 a.m. to noon; Zoom link: https://scoe.zoom.us/j/97827958342
• River City High School in West Sacramento – October 18 from 6-8 p.m.; Zoom link: https://scoe.zoom.us/j/96637418145
• Davis Senior High School – November 15 from 6-8 p.m.; Zoom link: https://scoe.zoom.us/j/94362753808

Additional information on the workshop is available on the Yolo County Office of Education website at www.ycoe.org.