Cash for College Workshops Highlight Opportunity

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS)  -- Financial aid workshops throughout the state are targeting students either headed to or already enrolled in college. Oakland Representative Barbara Lee is spreading the word, and says too many teens can’t afford college without help. The goal of the Cash for College workshops is to let students know about the aid available to them.

"We're doing 340 workshops around the state, helping young people understand where to get the money so they can go on to vocational school or college an move on with their lives to be the future leaders that we know they can be."

High school senior Larry Thornton is among those hoping to take advantage of the program. "I live with my aunt and uncle and it's hard when you're not living with your real parents. The financial needs too. -You can't afford college with the money you have so you have to apply and try to get scholarships."

CSU graduate Jenelle Hartley said the aid made a huge impact in her college career. "I think for a lot of students out there that have dreams of going to college but may not have the resources, this is such a great thing. It helped me and I know for other students it could be a great resource."

Lee hopes the workshops will show teens who thought they could never afford college that the goal is within reach.

"Young people are taking advantage of it but we want more young people taking advantage of it. Again, it's free money, it's cash for college and they deserve this money," she said.

The federal government is also doing more to help college students. Congress recently passed legislation cutting student-loan interest rates in half.

The next Cash for College event is February 11 at Las Positas College in Livermore.

(RdD)