College Access Plan Receives Funding to Assist Pasadena Students With Financial Aid

College Access Plan (CAP), a Pasadena-based nonprofit, announced it has been awarded funding to support local students in completing their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2024-2025 academic year. The grant, provided by Educational Credit Management Corporation through a U.S. Department of Education project, aims to ensure FAFSA completion by Sept. 3.

A CAP statement earlier this month said the funding comes in response to significant issues with the 2024 rollout of the new FAFSA, which led California to extend its deadline for state grant applications. Four-year college students had the deadline extended to May 2, while community college students have until Sept. 3 to submit their forms.

Many students still haven’t submitted their forms, and system glitches have kept some applications from registering as complete, the statement said. 

“We are well aware that the botched rollout of the new FAFSA has left students and families confused and frustrated, and the effects are most pronounced for first generation college goers,” Mo Hyman, CAP Executive Director, said.

CAP plans to use the award to train 10 Financial Aid Advocates who will promote FAFSA completion through various outreach methods. These include community events, social media campaigns, targeted emails, and text messaging to support successful submissions.

In addition to advocate training, CAP staff will offer no-cost group and individual support for completing financial aid applications. The organization will also partner with the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) to host two FAFSA completion events in August, one in English and one in Spanish.

“CAP is eager to help spread the message that college is an accessible and affordable option for anyone who wishes to pursue a postsecondary degree or certificate,” Hyman said.

Community members seeking FAFSA support are advised to contact CAP through https://tinyurl.com/DoTheFAFSA. The organization’s efforts are primarily focused on students and graduates of PUSD and their families, aiming to address the challenges faced by first-generation college students.

Founded in 2006, College Access Plan is an independent 501c3 nonprofit with 18 years of experience partnering with the PUSD. The organization provides college readiness services to underserved and underrepresented students, offering advisement and topic-specific courses for middle and high school students, families, and support for college-attending graduates.

For more information, visit https://collegeaccessplan.org/.