The state of the economy has many parents wondering how they will pay for their child's college education, but two educators in Los Angeles say there is plenty of financial assistance available to ease their worries.
Brandi Bakewell, a college counselor at the Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies in South Los Angels, maintains an optimistic outlook despite her view that this year might mark one of the largest ever for college applicants.
"It's important that parents and students not become discouraged, Bakewell said. "The first important step is to go ahead and fill out the college application and find out where you can get in, and then handle the rest."
Bakewell said the next step is to seek a college counselor and apply for financial aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
"The majority of financial aid applications are completed in January," she said. "This is where you can also apply for [state] Cal Grants and [federal] Pell Grants."
Bakewell also cautioned parents to keep in mind that FAFSA is a a free process, while "there are unscrupulous Web sites out there requiring payment."
Parents and students can access the free financial aid application at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
Bakewell also referred parents to Cash for College (CFC), a nonprofit organization comprised of businesses, government agencies and community-based organizations that provide financial aid opportunities for Los Angeles area students.
CFC also conducts free workshops to assist families completing FAFSA and Cal Grant forms.
"They have translators available for a variety of languages," she said. " All the parents need to do is bring their 2008 taxes."
The programs are ideal for many students who want to attend four-year or junion colleges in the Los Angeles.
Robert Sprague, vice president of academic affairs at West Los Angeles College, a two-year institution, said that the majority of students at the campus qualify for financial assistance.
The potential doesn't stop at local schools, either, according to Bakewell.
"Students should apply to whichever college they want to attend, and they will do their best to have you attend," she said. "There are unique programs for full scholarships offered by Ivy League schools. Harvard now offers students from households with an income under $60,000 free tuition. More schools are moving in this direction. If they see a top student they want them, and they want to make it affordable for them to attend."
The following is a list of select scholarship, grants, and financial aid programs mentioned by Bakewell and Sprague.
Erika A. McCarden is a writer for the L.A. Watts Times.
Story photo from FAFSA website
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