Aragon hosts its annual financial aid night to describe ways to pay for college.
Aragon hosted their annual financial aid night on Nov. 1, where students learned about ways they can earn money for college. Olivia Cortez Figueroa, the College of San Mateo presenter, explained the types of aid in Spanish at the MPR while Aragon’s Scholarship and Financial Aid Advisor, Caroline Moala, presented in English at the library. Afterwards, there was a workshop for families to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) application in the library computer lab.
The presentation informed families about the different methods students can receive money for college.
“This presentation is important because families should know that there is aid, money, waivers or programs out there to help attend college cost-effective,” Moala said. “It is my duty to share all the resources available to students, and I am here to guide students through the financial aid application and process.”
Moala discussed the importance of financial aid for seniors and what the FAFSA application can provide for students. Applications for the FAFSA opened on Oct. 1 until March 2.
“All college bound students should apply for financial aid. The cost of higher education should not intimidate students and families from attending college,” Moala said. “The goal with financial [aid] is to give students a cost-effective education to students in need.”
For students who cannot fill out the FAFSA application due to immigration status, they can fill out the California DREAM act application to receive aid.
Financial aid does not only correspond to receiving money for tuition, but it could also signify reducing other costs.
“I also refer students to support learning communities in 2-year colleges such as [Extended Opportunity Programs and Services or] EOPS,” Moala said. “Students in the EOPS program can receive vouchers for books, public transportation, etc … Financial aid is not only for tuition — aids can also help with housing, books, transportation etc.”
The event helped parents and students in giving them an understanding about the financial aid process.
“I think [the presentation] was really straight to the point,” said Troy Shelton, father of an Aragon senior. “Although it’s a very complex set of requirements and different offers that are out there, just breaking it down into the steps that need to happen [was helpful].”
Former Aragon scholarship and financial advisor and current CSM advisor, Melissa Aliu, elaborated on how the presentation is helpful in terms of completing the application process.
“The language [on the application] for a lot of people is difficult to understand if they were to do it on their own sometimes,” Aliu said. “[Families] just need someone else to explain it in a different way other than what’s being asked like in black and white on the FAFSA application.”
Some students already have siblings in college, making it difficult for families to pay for multiple students in college at the same time.
“I have an older brother who also already goes to a private [college] and my parents help support him, so I want to help them out as much financially as I can,” said senior Jessica Traver. “My parents work together, so there’s only one source of income, which makes it hard if they have a bad month. Financial aid is super helpful to make sure that I can afford college no matter the circumstance.”
“Financial aid is super helpful to make sure that I can afford college no matter the circumstance”
Some parents attended this event to learn about the opportunities with financial aid due to high college expenses.
“My son is applying to private universities, which are very costly. I believe in higher education, so I am excited to give him those opportunities. I wanted to be able to give him as many options as possible,” said Natalia Estassi, parent of an Aragon senior. “[For] myself, I have higher education. I have a master’s and a Ph D. [For] both of them, I got through financial aid, so I want to be able to model that and give the same opportunities to my son.”
Some students keep in mind the importance of financial aid with college applications and the living situation of their family.
“Financial aid can really help my family because it’s so expensive to live here in the Bay Area, and it’s also expensive to go to college. It’s a nice option to help save money,” said senior Nicolas Riego. “This is something I would definitely look into when I’m researching different colleges … Financial aid can help alleviate the stress of having to pay for college.”
Additional reporting by Kimberly Woo
