Cesar Tapia introducing the night’s presenters
For John O’Connell‘s Senior Class, submitting their college applications is an important first step on the path to college. Next up – meeting the deadline for financial aid. On Thursday night, families and students spent their evening hearing from experts in the field about how important applying for financial aid is in determining college success.
Working with JCYC Upward Bound‘s Cesar Tapia, the College and Career Center at John O’Connell put together an impressive program for Cash for College.
Tyla Brown sharing her own experience with college financial aid
JCYC’s Tyla Brown began her presentation with “College was my hustle – college was my job.”
Sharing her own experience of college success through financial aid and support, Tyla broke down the different types of funding available to California students for all of the parents and students who gathered in the JOC library.
Mission Graduates’ Jill Marinelli working with a student to complete his application
And with all of this new information, it was time to put it into action. College experts from JCYC, UCSF EAOP, and Mission Graduates sat down with families in the computer labs to begin the process.
For JOC students, this was the perfect time to gather the necessary information they would need to meet the FAFSA/Dream Act deadlines of March 2nd.
The team at John O’Connell continue to work with each of the college-bound students to ensure they not only receive as much financial aid as they can, but also enter scholarship applications throughout the year – ensuring finances will not be a barrier to their own college success.
Jill giving advice to a JOC senior about applying for financial aid
Mission Graduates Americorps member Leslie De Haro working with a student and her family