Marlon Lerman Matonte couldn’t be happier when he finished high school. His plan was to study something related to auto mechanics and they had accepted him at all the universities he had applied to.
However, as this happened in the middle of the pandemic, he thought if it was worth it pay so much money to receive virtual classes.
“The issue of money worried me a lot,” he said. “I know what I want to do with my life but I don’t know exactly how I’m going to get to that point.”
The concern was even greater when he learned that his older brother had ended up with a debt of more than 200 thousand dollars after having studied film at a prestigious University of Boston.
So when Marlon realized that many of the courses offered at the colleges he applied to were the same as those available at the community college near his home, he didn’t hesitate to sign up.
“I decided that the most rational thing, not only for the money, but for being relaxed, was to take the option of the community college,” said Marlon, from 18 years and who this month will begin his second semester at Los Angeles Pierce College, located in Woodland Hills, in the San Fernando Valley.
Ma rlon is not only taking classes that they are passionate about, but they are doing so for free because they are eligible for the California College Promise Grants, a state-funded program that is available to in-state students who meet certain requirements.
In the 2019, more than a million students benefited from this grant, which covers the enrollment fee.
“The main misconception is that many students think they don’t qualify for these funds, ”said Paul Feist, vice president of communications for the California Community College system, which agglomerates 116 of these institutions in the state and serving 2.1 million students.
Half of the student population of California community colleges does not pay tuition, although it is believed that the percentage of those who do could benefit p They might be older, they just don’t know they’re eligible.
“These resources are available to them at every community college in the state,” Feist said. “We invite you to apply.”
To be eligible, students must plan to attend or be attending a California community college, be a resident or be exempt from non-resident fees under the California Dream Act – California Dream Act -, and have financial need.
Most students are candidates for some form of aid, and that is why the school authorities encourage you to fill out the application Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which collects all information from applicants and uses a federal formula to determine student eligibility.
Financial aid depends on several factors , including family income and assets, the number of members in the household, and the number of children attending community college. This program is also available to undocumented students, who must complete the California Dream Act Application.
It is necessary to be a high school graduate or possess the equivalent diploma, have no arrears on other school loan debts, have not been convicted of drug possession, and have the intention of graduating or transferring to a four-year university.
To maintain this benefit, which can be extended for up to two years, students must progress toward the final educational goal and complete the application, as applicable, FAFSA or California Dream Act, each year.
On average, Marlon is saving more than 20 thousand dollars a year, which he would have to pay if you had enrolled in any of the schools in the state university system. In contrast, the enrollment for the last semester at the community college was 850 dollars, an amount that was waived.
In total, more than 125 1,000 students in the state’s community college system transfer to universities in California or elsewhere each year. from the country. This is the goal of Marlon, who is interested in working in the automotive industry.
“I’m still looking at what options there are,” he said. “When I finish I am going to finish with a degree in automotive science, which can be used to work as a mechanic or in an engineering agency; Or maybe I’m leaning towards the area of car design, and that’s why I’m interested in the ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena. ”
Whatever Marlon’s option, it will be without the immense weight of the debt you would have if you transferred from high school to a four-year college.
All information about the Promesa Grant from California is available in English and Spanish at icanaffordcollege.com.