April is Financial Aid Awareness Month

Icanaffordcollege.com is one of the resources that can be of great use as you pursue a higher education. Sponsored by the California Community Colleges, the “I Can Afford College” campaign is a statewide, financial aid awareness initiative that educates students that financial aid is available year-round at California’s community colleges.

Here’s some information that Icanaffordcollege.com wants you to know about how financial aid can help pay for fees, books, supplies, and sometimes even rent.

Financial aid
California community colleges currently serve nearly nine-hundred thousand students with financial aid totaling approximately $1.6 billion annually.

• There are many different types of financial aid such as fee waivers, grants, scholarships and work-study programs which don’t have to be repaid and loans which do have to be paid back.
• New research shows many students don’t believe they qualify for aid and therefore do not apply, leaving millions of dollars unused. All students who need financial assistance for college are encouraged to apply for aid.
• Students who enroll in college full-time may receive more financial aid and are more likely to complete their education.
• Financial aid experts are located on all 112 campuses and are available to provide free one-on-one assistance filling out the applications.

California Community Colleges
California community colleges provide basic skills education, career training through certificate courses and two-year degrees, and prepare students for transfer to four-year colleges and universities.

• Nearly 3 million students are served each year at 112 community colleges statewide, representing the largest system of higher education in the world.
• As the state’s largest provider of career training, community colleges play an integral role in California’s economic recovery by re-training the unemployed to work in growing industries such as health care and green technology.
• Nationwide, 24 percent of all community college students are enrolled in a California community college.
• In 2007, 55 percent of California State University (CSU) baccalaureates awarded and 30 percent of University of California (UC) baccalaureates awarded started as community college students.
• The average lifetime earnings of a graduate with an associate’s degree are $1.6 million, $400,000 more than for a high school graduate.

Detailed information and applications on the website allow students to apply online for federal, state and community college financial aid. Students who do not have Internet access can call 1-800-987-ICAN (4226) to get connected with a local community college financial aid office in their area.

This post is also available in: Spanish