Hancock Offers Cash for College Workshops

FEBRUARY 11, 2025-- Allan Hancock College is inviting parents and students to an in-person workshop to help them apply for financial aid, significantly reducing the cost of college attendance. 

The college is hosting its final Cash for College workshops in-person on Feb. 22 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Academic Resource Center (building L) on Hancock’s Santa Maria campus. This free workshop is intended for high school seniors, current Hancock students, and their parents.  

During the workshop, Hancock 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 a 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. 

Current Hancock students can also attend the workshop to renew their FAFSA applications. 

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 this 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. 

Those planning to attend a workshop should bring the following information and items with them: 

• Driver’s license (Optional) 

• Parent’s or adoptive parent’s date of birth 

• Parent’s or adoptive parent’s marital status 

• Both student and parent’s or adoptive parent’s Social Security Number (do not use an ITIN # for FAFSA application) 

• Permanent Resident number (Green Card), if applicable 

• Student and parent’s/adoptive parent’s 2023 W-2 forms 

• Student and parent’s/adoptive parent’s 2023 income tax return (if filed) 

Hancock staff is also hosting Cash for college workshops at high school campuses. 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