Attend Merced College “Cash For College” Financial Aid Workshop And
Enter To Win $1,000 Scholarship

February 8 , 2005

Senior high school students and their parents, current college students, or anyone interested in enrolling in a post-secondary school next fall will find it beneficial to attend the “Cash for College” financial aid workshop Saturday, February 19th, at 10 a.m. in the Merced College Cafeteria.

“This is a free workshop sponsored by the Merced County Cal-SOAP Program and the Financial Aid Offices at Merced College and UC Merced,” said Judy Leufgen, Merced College financial aid advisor. “Also, Spanish and Hmong translation will be available.”

The purpose of this workshop is to assist students and their parents with the successful completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form (FAFSA) and to provide them with information regarding the financial aid process. The FAFSA is the required financial aid form used to determine a student’s eligibility for federal and state grants as well as other types of student aid.

Financial aid staff will be available to answer questions and offer personalized assistance with the FAFSA as well as the Cal Grant GPA Verification Form. Participants will be supplied with the necessary forms and will also receive information about filing the FAFSA online. Participants will be completing the FAFSA for the Fall 2005/Spring 2006 school year.

All students and parents should bring the following items to the workshop. Even if some items are unavailable, still plan to attend the workshop to begin the application process.

• Student’s Social Security Card and driver’s license
• Parents’ Social Security Card or number
• Federal income tax return from 2004 (or 2003, if you have not yet filed for 2004) for both student and parents
• 2004 W-2 forms or December, 2004 pay stub, if you had a job
• Records of other untaxed income received, such as welfare benefits, Social Security benefits, TANF, veteran’s benefits, or military/clergy allowances
• 2004 bank statements, if you have a bank account
• Records of stocks, bonds, or other investments, if applicable
• Business or farm records, if applicable
• Student’s alien registration card, if student is eligible non-citizen
• Other immigration documentation, if applicable
• Names of colleges and universities student is interested in attending

Students who attend any of the “Cash for College” workshops and who submit a completed evaluation form will be entered to win a $1,000 scholarship. Last year a student from Livingston who attended the Merced workshop won one of several scholarships awarded statewide.

Learn more about the financial aid opportunities available to all California students. For more information, call the Merced College Financial Aid Office, (209) 384-6031 or (209) 384-6038.