Dear Partners, Colleagues and Community Members,
In recent weeks, the landscape of federal student aid has presented significant challenges, due to the delay in the FAFSA/CADAA rollout. This situation has understandably raised concerns among students, families, and educational institutions. The delay in distributing FAFSA/CADAA information to colleges until March, as noted by Education Undersecretary James Kvaal, marks a significant shift from traditional timelines, potentially affecting decision-making processes for countless students.
Amidst these developments, intermittent access issues following the “soft launch” of the simplified FAFSA/CADAA have further complicated the process. At GIA, we are acutely aware of the stress and uncertainty these delays have caused. It is in these moments that our commitment to supporting our community becomes even more critical. We are working alongside our partners and the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) to provide resources, guidance, and direct assistance to the region.
To support students, parents, and educators, we want to let you know about several initiatives:
- The launch of the Inland Empire Cash for College website in December 2023 serves as a helpful resource for navigating the financial aid process amidst these changes.
https://iecashforcollege.org - Our schedule of over 100 financial aid workshops from January to March 2024 is designed to provide hands-on support for completing FAFSA/CADAA forms accurately and efficiently.
- Weekly free office hours in collaboration with GIA’s Action Network Teams and CSAC offer a platform for personalized assistance, ensuring questions and concerns are addressed promptly. Upcoming office hours are open to educators, students, and parents.
Please register below:
Listen below to hear our Director of Network Engagement, Ida Hermosillo, share about the work being done in the Inland Empire:
Thank you for your partnership, resilience, and unwavering support of our students and their futures. Together, we will navigate these challenges through our collective dedication to education and student success.
