YOLO AND SOLANO COUNTIES, CA- Assemblymember Mariko Yamada (D-Davis) is hosting fifteen Cash for College Workshops to help students apply for Cal Grants and other financial aid for college.   The Cash for College program is a partnership with the California Student Aid Commission, the Sacramento Cal-SOAP Consortium, the Solano Educational Consortium, Woodland Community College, Solano Community College, Napa Valley College, Sacramento State, UC Davis Early Academic Outreach Program, UC Berkeley Destination College and local volunteers. 

“We want to help families overcome financial barriers to their higher education goals. A Cal Grant can be the first step in making a quality education more affordable,” Yamada stated.  “That’s why we’re sponsoring workshops to help students and parents complete their financial aid forms.”

The Cal Grant Program provides qualified individuals with up to $12,192 in aid per year to attend almost any college in California.  Awards vary depending on economic need, grades and the college a student attends.  Cal Grants are available to high school seniors, recent graduates and individuals returning to college.  The deadline to apply for a Cal Grant is March 2, 2012.  To find out more about Cal Grant eligibility requirements, please visit www.calgrants.org.

Cash for College Workshops will have trained volunteers and financial aid experts on hand to walk students, and their families through the process of completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Cal Grant GPA Verification form.  Some high school students may also be eligible for a $1,000 scholarship.   

The following are the Cash for College workshops in your area for 2012:

Yolo County:

1/21, Saturday
Woodland Community College, Rm 800
2300 E. Gibson Rd, Woodland
10:00am - 1:00pm

2/8, Wednesday
Winters High School
Computer Lab
101 Grant Ave, Winters
6:00pm - 8:00pm

2/8, Wednesday
River City High School
1 Raider Lane,
West Sacramento
6:00pm - 8:00pm

Solano County:

1/12, Thursday
Will C. Wood High School Computer Lab/Library
998 Marshall Rd., Vacaville
6:00pm - 8:00pm

1/18,Wednesday
Rodriguez High School
Multi-Purpose Room
5000 Red Top Rd, Fairfield
6:00pm - 7:30pm

1/19, Thursday
Buckingham Charter Magnet High School Student Center

188-B Bella Vista Rd, Vacaville
6:30pm – 8:00pm

1/24, Wednesday
Vacaville High School
Computer Lab/ Library

100 West Monte Vista Ave, Vacaville
6:00pm - 8:00 pm

1/26, Thursday
Armijo High School Computer Lab/Library

824  Washington St, Fairfield
6:00pm - 8:00pm

1/31, Tuesday
Dixon High School
Library/Computer Lab
555 College Way, Dixon
6:00pm - 8:00pm

1/31, Tuesday
Benicia High School
1101 Military West, Benicia
7:00pm - 8:30pm

2/1, Wednesday
Fairfield High School
Library/Computer Lab
205 East Atlantic Ave, Fairfield
5:30pm - 9:00pm

2/15, Wednesday
Vacaville Cultural Center Library
Computer Lab
1020 Ulatis Drive, Vacaville
6:30pm - 8:30pm

2/16, Thursday
Vanden High School
2951 Markeley Lane, Fairfield
6:30pm - 8:00pm

2/22, Wednesday
Solano Community College Computer Lab
Bldg. 500, Rm. 505
4000 Suisun Valley Rd, Fairfield
4:00pm - 8:00pm

2/28, Tuesday
Fairfield Civic Center
Library Computer Lab
1150 Kentucky St, Fairfield
6:15pm  - 8:15pm

Those applying for financial aid must bring the following reference information to the workshop to receive assistance:
•    Driver’s license or I.D.
•    Social security card or number   
•    2011 W-2 forms or pay check stubs 
•    2011 bank statements
•    2011 tax information if available, 2010 tax information is acceptable 
•    List of colleges interested in attending
•    If not a US citizen, bring alien registration card (if available)
•    BEFORE ATTENDING: Students and parents must obtain a FAFSA PIN, please visit www.pin.ed.gov. 

For questions about the workshops or to find out how to become a Cash for College volunteer, please call (707) 455-8025 or visit http://www.assembly.ca.gov/yamada.  For additional workshops in the region, please visit www.calgrants.org/workshops