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Cal State

© Shauna Zamarripa

Some time ago a reader asked me about a teaching program offered in Californina, in which the tuition would be repaid if and when the student agreed to teach in California. On that particular search, I have had no luck thus far, but in reviewing California's aid programs in general, I came across some information for Cal State for you this week. So, if Cal State is or was one of your choices, you might find this interesting!

Filing Deadline for State Undergraduate Cal Grant Program Rapidly Approaching

Each year, approximately 46,000 new State Cal Grant award offers are made to California residents pursuing undergraduate postsecondary study at California colleges, universities and trade schools. These awards are not made to students who have already earned a college bachelor's degree or who will be seniors in college for the 1999/2000 year. Applicants must meet the March 2. 1999, filing deadline. Due to the high interest in the program, award consideration is not given to persons who do not meet the filing deadline or who submit incomplete applications.

To apply for a 1999/2000 year State Cal Grant award, an applicant must complete a 1999/2000 year Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and a 1999/2000 Student Aid Commission Grade Point Average Verification Form. The FAFSA is also the application for Federal financial aid, including the Federal Pell Grant and Federal student loans. After processing the FAFSA, the Federal Student Aid Programs will send the FAFSA data to the Student Aid Commission.

It is recommended that applicants file their FAFSA through the Internet using FAFSA on the WEB. To use FAFSA on the WEB, visit http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. The paper version of the FAFSA is available at any California college or university Financial Aid Office. Persons must make sure to file a 1999/2000 FAFSA for a 1999/2000 Cal Grant. To receive State Cal Grant consideration, the 1999/2000 FAFSA must be submitted by March 2, 1999.

The Student Aid Commission Grade Point Average Verification Form is available at any California college or university Financial Aid Office and from most California high school counseling offices. The GPA Verification form must be completed and mailed by March 2, 1999. Please note that the Federal FAFSA and the State GPA Verification Form are to be mailed to different addresses. The Commission recommends applicants obtain a $.60 US Postal Service Certificate of Mailing when mailing both the FAFSA and GPA Verification form.

All application instructions must be read carefully. Follow-up on the applications after submission is very important. If an applicant does not receive a yellow colored Student Aid Report (SAR) within four weeks after submitting the 1999/2000 year FAFSA, they must call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at (800) 433-3243. After sending the GPA Verification Form, an applicant should call the Student Aid Commission at (916) 526-7590 to verify their GPA Verification was received. The actual selection of 1999/2000 year Cal Grant recipients will be held in April. If an applicant does not receive a letter directly from the Student Aid Commission by April 30, 1999, they should call us at (916) 526-7590.