| 9-12 Information | High School Seniors | Cal-Grants | University Scholarships | Grants | Workstudy | Loans | Scholarships |
High School Seniors! 2009-2010 Cal-SOAP SCHOLARSHIP application!
2009-2010 Cal-SOAP RENEWAL SCHOLARSHIP! (Past recipients only)
CLICK HERE FOR A 2010 CASH FOR COLLEGE EVENT NEAR YOU! (JAN 2010)
09-10 Parent Workshop Powerpoint
South County Cal-SOAP is committed to the idea that THERE IS *FINANCIAL AID TO HELP YOU PAY FOR YOUR EDUCATION. Any Cal-SOAP Counselor or Staff member can help you apply! Financial aid is available in the form of grants and scholarships (which do not have to be repaid), student employment (a part-time job while attending school), and low-interest loans (which must be repaid).
Local Scholarships
Your high school keeps updated records of available scholarships in your community! New scholarships are sent to your school on a weekly basis! Don't miss out! Check with your Counseling Office, your high school website, or with your local Cal-SOAP representative!
Nationwide Scholarships
(back to top)Create your own on-line scholarship accounts on the following website! If you are willing to share some information about yourself, these websites will do your scholarship searching for you, and email the applications to you!!
For MORE scholarships and scholarship websites, click here! Scholarships
1) Apply for Free Money between January 1st and March 2nd of 2007 at www.fafsa.ed.gov!! (1)
2) Apply for Cal-Grants!
3) Apply for Free Money from the financial aid office at the university of your choice!
4) Understand the FAFSA and the difference between Grants, WorkStudy, and Loans!
In order to qualify for a Cal Grant, you must complete two tasks!!
Cal Grant A and B
(back to top)Cal Grant A: assists low- and middle-income students with tuition/fee costs. Awards are based on need and grade point average. If you qualify for a Cal Grant A and you choose to attend a California community college first, you can reserve your award for up to two years until you transfer to a tuition/fee charging college.
Cal Grant B: assists low-income and disadvantaged students with living expenses, books, supplies, and transportation costs. First year recipients’ Cal Grant B award may also cover registration fee cost. Renewal Cal Grant B recipients will receive registration fee assistance. New awards are limited to students who have completed no more than one full-time semester/two full-time quarters/16 semester units of part- time study or the equivalent.
(back to top)Scholarships administered by the Financial Aid Office (of each college or university!) are awarded to students based on academic merit and financial need.
See Gavilan's and or San Francisco State Unviersties financial aid wesbites for excellent examples of fin aid resources at a 2-year college: http://www.gavilan.edu/finaid/index.html or a 4-year college!! http://www.sfsu.edu/~finaid/
State Grants (SUG) & University of California Grant
Awarded to on-time undergraduate applicants who are citizens or eligible non-citizens. Awards are based on financial need.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
Federally funded awards to undergraduates who are citizens or eligible non-citizens. Awards are based on financial need, and range from $100 to $4,000. Preference is given to Pell Grant and Cal Grant recipients.
Federal Pell Grant
Based on exceptional need, are awarded to undergraduate students who are citizens or eligible non-citizens, and who have not earned a Bachelor’s degree. Students who file the FAFSA are automatically considered for Pell Grants. Pell Grant eligibility is determined by the federal Government and the award amount depends on your Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) and whether you are enrolled full-time or below.
Federal Work Study
(back to top)The Federal Work-Study Program (FWS) is intended to stimulate and promote part-time student employment, particularly students from low-income families, who are in need of earnings from such employment to pursue courses of study at institutions of higher education. The federal government pays a portion of the students' wage and the employer pays the balance. The federal government allocates funds annually to the university or college Financial Aid Office for this purpose. Through the Federal Work-Study Program, students engage in work for the University, governmental agencies, or for public and private non-profit organizations as defined by the Internal Revenue Service. Students employed through the Federal Work-Study Program not only provide essential services to the University and to the community, but also have the opportunity to secure positions, which may relate to their educational objectives, or enable them to gain valuable work experience.
Federal Perkins Loans
Available to U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens. The loan limit is $4,000 per academic year for undergraduate students and $6,000 for graduate and professional students. The actual award amount may be less based on annual funding and university institutional awarding policy. The loan interest rate is 5 percent. Loan repayment and interest accrual begin either six or nine months after graduation or less than half-time enrollment.
Federal Stafford Loan
The Federal Stafford Loan Program consists of low-interest subsidized and unsubsidized loans financed by participating banks and other lending institutions. Loans are available to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students who are U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens. The variable interest rate is adjusted annually. Loan repayment begins six months after graduation or dropping below half-time enrollment.
Subsidized Federal Stafford Loans
Awarded to students with demonstrated need. Interest is paid by the government until six months after you leave school or drop below half-time enrollment status.
Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans
Loans available to all students regardless of income. Interest accrues from the date of disbursement, but the extra costs of accrual can be avoided by making regular interest payments while in school.
Federal PLUS Loans
Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students are designed to help parents meet the total cost of education. Parents may be eligible to borrow up to the cost of education for the academic year, less any other financial aid received. This loan is available only to parents who do not have adverse credit histories. The interest rate is variable and adjusted annually. For many parents, interest may be tax deductible, so consult a tax advisor.
Private Loans
(back to top)Available to students who have received the maximum award amounts under the Federal Family Education Loan Program and require additional funding. These loans are sponsored by banks and private lending institutions. The Interest rates and repayment schedules vary. These loans must be certified by the Financial Aid Office before funds can be disbursed.