Humboldt County Office of Education: Cash for College Workshops

There are three types of workshops that we offer:

FAFSA/CADAA Preparation Workshops

Cal-SOAP visits senior classes to help seniors prepare for financial aid application season by creating their FSA IDs: their legal electronic signatures for the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Seniors should come to class prepared to create their FSA IDs with their social security number if they have one. Students who are not eligible to complete the FAFSA and who will complete the CADAA (California Dream Act Application) instead do not need to create an FSA ID. (Note: Preparation Workshops for 2022-2023 have concluded.)

In-class Workshops

Cal-SOAP visits senior classes to assist students as they begin their financial aid applications. Seniors should come to class prepared to begin their financial aid applications with their FSA IDs and social security numbers (for FAFSA filers). Financial aid experts from College of the Redwoods and/or Cal Poly Humboldt’s Financial Aid Offices will be on site to support students as they begin their FAFSA or CADAA, and to answer any questions they may have.

Cash For College Workshops

Cal-SOAP hosts after-school workshops in partnership with local high schools to support seniors and families as they complete their financial aid applications. Seniors and parents should come prepared to work on their financial aid applications with their FSA IDs and social security numbers (for FAFSA filers). Financial aid experts from College of the Redwoods and/or Cal Poly Humboldt’s Financial Aid Offices will be on site to support students and families as they complete their FAFSA or CADAA, and to answer any questions they may have.

Please note: All Cash for College Workshops are are open to all seniors and families in Humboldt and Del Norte counties. In-class workshops are only for students in those classes.

• Social Security number (if you have one)
• Your FSA ID information
• 2021 income & tax information for you & your parent
• Driver’s license, if you have one
• List of colleges you are interested in attending
• Any records of untaxed income such as child support payments, payments to/from retirement accounts, combat pay, short-term disability, or workers compensation

1. Submit Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at StudentAid.gov between Oct.1 – March 2.
2. AB 540 students complete the free, secure online CA Dream Act Application at www.caldreamact.org between Oct. 1- March 2.
3. Confirm that your high school submits your verified GPA for the Cal Grant program by March 2.
4. Apply for national & local scholarships. Check out free searches online and see your school counselor for help.
5. Talk to your family about paying for college. Tell them they can assist you just by helping you complete the FAFSA or CA Dream Act application.