This story was originally published by GO Public Schools West Contra Costa.
GO West Contra Costa and the Richmond Promise are proud to offer a toolkit to support families as they navigate the college financial aid process.
Each year, during this rite of passage, students and parents alike struggle to complete this vital step to making college affordable. As two local organizations committed to serving the students and families of West Contra Costa, we decided to team up and bring our collective expertise to heed our community’s calls for help.
The financial aid process can easily feel overwhelming, and while students can answer some sections on the application on their own, most will require a parent’s support to complete the application.
A Parents’ Guide to Financial Aid walks families through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) from start to finish: defining terms, clarifying questions, and offering tips for atypical family structures, citizenship status, and financial situations.
Download A Parents’ Guide to Financial Aid (available in English and Spanish) and get started on your student’s financial aid application today!
Natalie Walchuk is executive director of GO Public Schools West Contra Costa (GO WCC), and this piece was originally posted on the organization’s website here. GO WCC supports a coalition of students, families, educators, and community allies united around generating solutions to ensure that every West Contra Costa student thrives.
