Finding money for college is difficult for many families, but for those who are first in their families to go to college, the financial aid process is unknown territory. As a result, they can miss key deadlines, like for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). FAFSA determines a student’s eligibility for all federal grants, loans, and work-study funds, and its completion is strongly correlated with college enrollment.
Continuing a longstanding 10,000 Degrees tradition, 10,000 Degrees staff offered more than 100 FAFSA workshops for students and families in high schools throughout Marin and Sonoma Counties in January and February of 2016–leading up to the March deadline. In total, we expect to reach over a thousand students and their parents/guardians.