Hancock Offers Cash for College Workshops
SEPTEMBER 22, 2025-- To make college more affordable, Allan Hancock College is inviting students and their families to in-person workshops that guide them through the financial aid application process.
The college is hosting 30 Cash for College workshops at high schools across Northern Santa Barbara County and San Luis Obispo County. These free workshops will take place between October 1, 2025 and February 26, 2026, and are intended for high school seniors, current Hancock students and their parents.
During the workshops, staff will be available to help participating students and their parents fill out a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or a California Dream Act application. Students will also be able to apply for state and federal grants, including the Cal Grant, which offers cash for college and does not have to be repaid. The application process takes about one hour to complete. Spanish-speaking staff will also be available.
Students can find the free FAFSA application online at www.fafsa.ed.gov and the California Dream Act application at www.caldreamact.org. The Cal Grant GPA verification form is available at www.csac.ca.gov, but students should check with their high school counselor before submitting the form. Because counselors are required to complete part of the Cal Grant form, some high schools may submit a Cal Grant GPA verification for the student. Both forms must be postmarked and sent to the California Student Aid Commission by March 2, 2026.
Those planning to attend a workshop should bring the following information and items with them:
- Driver’s license (optional)
- Date of Birth
- Student and parent(s)/adoptive parent(s) Social Security Number (or ITIN# for CA Dream Act)
- Permanent resident number (if applicable)
- Student and parent(s)/adoptive parent(s) 2024 Income tax return
- Student and parent(s)/adoptive parent(s) 2024 W-2 forms
- Parent(s)/adoptive parent(s) marital status
To view a full list of upcoming workshops, and to learn more about Cash for College and financial aid for Hancock students, visit https://www.hancockcollege.edu/calsoap/workshops.php
