#calgrant

[the-explorers-journal]

Another meme from my school's financial aid office.

[cecivuvu]

Dealing with Incompetencies and Identity

          So around March, I had my parents ask my high school about the GPA verification form - because my account for Cal Grant said that my school hadn’t submitted one in for me yet.   But when my parents went to the office and asked about it, the school insisted that Cal Grant was only granted to those who are planning to go to community college - which I’m sure wasn’t true.   I called them back to confirm what my parents had relayed to me was true, but the counselors didn’t pick up.   So I assumed that perhaps, the school did send in the transcripts, but the government hadn’t received it. 

          So today, or to be precise, the government shot me an e-mail saying that my school did not send that GPA verification form.   So I called today, and the lady told me that I had to apply for the GPA verification form in order for the school to send it over to the government.   I was so fucking pissed.   Because she kept insisting that I had not applied for the GPA verification form or asked for it.   I had.   The school denied me the form.   I know that those who submit a late GPA verification form get less money for college.

          And in the midst of my tantrum, I started to realize how many political barriers come in between people like me and higher education.   I started thinking about those who were first generation students, who don’t know how to navigate through the college system - with no prior models and family members to turn to, how are we supposed to know how to manage our path to college.   As someone who have parents who don’t speak English, how am I supposed to have my parents file these types of paperwork that they know nothing of?   How are they supposed to receive adequate amounts of resources and help, if they don’t know how to communicate in English?   As a child who knows nothing about the world, how am I supposed to help my parents?   And as someone who goes to college miles away from home, how am I supposed to be there to file the paperwork?   It’s so frustrating to me that all these factors, these components of my identity have rendered me useless.   I was so frustrated and angry with my circumstances.   I shed tears of frustration thinking about it.   

[unbroken-elegance]

College Rant.

So. You're telling me that an intelligent student with an above average GPA who takes AP's almost every year, takes extracurriculars, has done over 200 hours of community service, has taken a highly demanding sport (wrestling) should be denied a grant to pursue higher education simply because his or her family's income is too high? Do you not realize that with a higher income comes higher taxes, a more expensive lifestyle and standard of living? Instead, you are giving lazy dumb-as-fuck low income losers who have slacked off their whole life, taking easy classes whenever possible in which they sadly fail at, funding to get drunk, high, and fail in college? I question your logic America. 

[evenonthedarkestdays]

I need to apply for FAFSA.......Its so much work though... Anyone know about Cal Grant (people who live in cali)? Do you have to apply again or once you are in the system are you in the system? If you know can you let me know? Cal grant and FAFSA are the only reason I'm able to go to my college.

[gothicamerican]

I just checked my CalGrant status and guess what? I got zero fucking dollars! Thanks, California, thanks a lot!!! What a great idea it was for legislators to cut money from college education! Way to fucking encourage people to further their education. I don't even know how I'm going to get the money. I was so certain I was going to get it, considering my high GPA and low income, but nope! I have to find a way to make thousands of dollars by my poor and unskilled self. Yay. Fuck you, California.

[jeanachung]

Ahh

Literally 7 classes left to take and student teaching for a year. Pass the cbest and cset before student teaching Apply to the credential program and study abroad due by march1st, oh gosh I got an email saying I won't qualify for cal grant anymore but I've barely been helped by them :( so I will write a letter apparently I should try and get scholarships or some shit I don't want to pay for it nor do I want to ask my dad for it both my parents work too hard for money. It's late and I'm still up! I lost 6 pounds :) But I can't tell the difference yet I'm always craving cheese though and bread but I'm sure after the first month I will get used to it. Okay goodnight (:

[mylifeintumbls]

Fuck you calgrant. youre supposed to help people in need. i have excellent grades living with a single mother with negative income who provides for a family of 6 and 1 dumbass freeloader and you deny me TWICE because she has too much assets? sorry did you not see the NEGATIVE income? did you want us to sell our house and drain my mom's savings before you provide money to pay for 1-2% of my tuition?

fuck you california. 

[projectrun-away]

The most beautiful e-mail in the history of ever:

Dear Cal Grant Student: Due to recently passed state legislation, the requirements for determining eligibility to continue receiving a Cal Grant  have changed. Beginning with the 2011-12 academic year, renewal students have to meet income, asset and minimum need criteria to be considered for a renewal Cal Grant award. Based on the new criteria, the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) has renewed your Cal Grant award for the 2011-12 academic year.