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Financial Aid

Financial Aid Night — 12/5/23 
This video presentation covers basic financial aid information for colleges. Topics include types of financial aid (e.g., FAFSA, Dream Act, etc.), application processes, and eligibility, among other things. This was presented by Elizabeth Ochoa from West Valley College and hosted by Los Gatos High School. Here is a copy of the presentation slides (slightly updated from the video presentation).

CalKIDS

CalKIDS, a new program administered by the ScholarShare Investment Board, an agency of the State of California and chaired by the State Treasurer, will automatically provide eligible, low-income public school children in grades 1-12 in California with the tools to start saving for college, including an initial seed deposit and possible financial incentives in a college savings account. The State of California created the program to expand access to higher education and encourage families to jumpstart saving for college and other forms of career training, regardless of household income.

Kids in grades 1-12 may receive up to $1,500 in college savings 

The State of California will offer eligible low-income public school students the following awards in a CalKIDS account to save for higher education, as applicable:*

  • $500 automatic deposit for eligible low-income public school students enrolled in first through 12th grade

  • $500 additional deposit for eligible students identified as foster youth

  • $500 additional deposit for eligible students experiencing homelessness

Over time, funds in a CalKIDS account can grow tax-free and be used for future higher education expenses, such as tuition, books, computers, and room and board. When the student is ready to use their savings to pay for any qualified higher education expense, they can easily redeem their funds, including any earnings, from their CalKIDS account. 

 

To learn more about the program, visit CalKIDS.org.