Financial Aid

Gary Moskowitz MEDIA DISTRICT NORTH -- Students who need financial assistance to attend college in the fall can receive helpful information at a meeting next week. A college financial aid overview will be presented for Burbank students at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Burbank High School, 902 N. Third St. College speakers and counselors will provide an overview of the financial aid process for colleges and offer instructions on completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. FAFSA is required for students applying for government financial aid and must be submitted before March 1. For more information, call 729-4401.

Gary Moskowitz BURBANK -- Burbank students who have not already taken the ACT Inc. exam -- formerly known as the American College Testing exam -- can still have access to financial aid to cover the costs of taking the test. Kristin Crouse, spokeswoman for ACT Inc., said parents and students interested in obtaining financial aid to take the ACT exam need to acquire a free application for federal student aid, which will be available to submit, beginning Jan. 1. The ACT exam will be offered in Burbank and other California locations Feb. 9, April 6 and June 8. To determine eligibility, students need to provide family income statements from their 2001 earnings.

Local education officials this week said President Obama’s expansion of federal aid for college-bound students could make the process less intimidating for those seeking financial help. Provisions included in the so-called health-care reconciliation bill expand the range of Pell Grants and federal financial aid for lower-income students, a move that Glendale Community College officials and high school guidance counselors said would simplify what has been an arduous financial aid system for students.

Assemblyman Dario Frommer (D-Burbank) is encouraging high school seniors in his district to apply for the state's Cal Grant program. Forms must be postmarked no later than Monday. Cal Grants can pay for a student's entire tuition at the University of California and California State University systems, and up to $9,700 for private institutions. A brochure detailing the program will be distributed to all seniors. Applicants are required to complete and file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid form, which is also used to apply for federal financial-aid programs, including the federal Pell Grant.

Mark R. Madler Burbank High School sophomore Deysy Ordonez plans to spend the summer at Harvard University, earning college credit and experiencing the life of a college freshman. But then again, maybe she won't. She has been unable to get any financial aid from the university. "I was disappointed in that," she said, referring to a letter she received from the university last month telling her she can't get any financial aid because other students had beaten her to the grants.

BURBANK — As the deadline for college financial aid request submissions fast approaches in July, for the first time students are getting a head start on the process. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, a process that identifies how much financial aid a student will receive for college expenses, is usually filed by high school seniors, beginning in January of the year they plan to attend college. But as of April 1, a new, online program presented by the U.S. Department of Education, called the FAFSA4caster, offers college-bound freshman, sophomores, juniors and their families insight into how much money they could be eligible for in federal aid, said Trey Ditto, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Education.

State Assemblyman Paul Krekorian is hosting a workshop to inform high school and college students about ways to obtain financial aid to help pay for their college educations. Every student in California, regardless of financial status, ought to have a right to a college education, Krekorian said. The workshop is intended to show students that they should not be denied a college education because they can't afford it, he said. Advisors from Glendale Community College's financial aid office will offer information about the variety of financial assistance options at colleges and universities.

Students have to work harder to find funds to pay for continued education beyond high school.BURBANK -- Counselor Michelle Sparks spends much of her time ensuring that Burbank High School seniors make the right decisions when it comes to college -- from where to apply to how to pay. But when it came time for her own two children to apply to college, the difficulty of those decisions hit home. "I told them Cal States or UCs," Sparks said. "For me finance was a huge consideration."

State Sen. Jack Scott, whose district includes Pasadena, Burbank and Glendale, introduced the Early College Commitment Act of 2007 on Thursday. The bill would help families and students prepare for college. If passed, the legislation would create voluntary programs for local school districts to provide information on higher education and student aid. The legislation would create a pledge for students and their parents or legal guardian to sign. The students would agree to meeting all the graduation requirements, completing the necessary preparatory work and complete the required paperwork for college.

Local education officials this week said President Obama’s expansion of federal aid for college-bound students could make the process less intimidating for those seeking financial help. Provisions included in the so-called health-care reconciliation bill expand the range of Pell Grants and federal financial aid for lower-income students, a move that Glendale Community College officials and high school guidance counselors said would simplify what has been an arduous financial aid system for students.

A state legislative committee for the arts, entertainment and tourism sector approved a bill, written by Assemblyman Paul Krekorian, that would allocate 20% of the sales tax revenues derived from arts-related products to supplement the California Arts Council. The Assembly’s Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism & Internet Media Committee approved the bill on a 5-3 vote Monday, sending it to the Revenue and Taxation Committee for further consideration. The tax revenue, estimated to be $30 million each year, would go to the Arts Council for state grants.

A new program at the Boys and Girls Club is giving teenagers and parents a safe and fun alternative for Friday nights year-round. Starting Friday, 13- to 17-year-olds can drop by the club from 7 to 10 p.m. to enjoy free dinner, play games such as basketball and socialize with friends. “I won’t have to worry about my mom calling me every 30 minutes asking me where I am because she will know that I am safe,” said Melissa Martinez, 13. Participating in programs at the Boys and Girls Club helped Melissa make new friends after she moved to Burbank a few months ago, she said.

BURBANK — The City Council Chamber was filled Tuesday night with YMCA of Burbank supporters who gathered to advocate for the organization’s request for nearly $3.5 million in financial assistance. YMCA officials requested City Council members approve the first step in a two-step process to loan the organization funds to alleviate $2.75 million in debt and $712,000 to construct a new parking structure on San Jose Avenue. The council voted 3 to 1 to invite YMCA officials back to appear before the council, after more research is conducted concerning the scope of the lot project, the cost to the city and ways the organization would finance the loan.

After going through the motions of a graduation ceremony at Glendale Community College on Tuesday, about 20 students held up pieces of paper displaying printed messages that expressed their fears about the future. “Now what?” the papers read. But the students weren’t holding the mock graduation ceremony to philosophize about which life path they should take once they’re done with school. Rather, their concerns were more practical. Would they ever be given the chance to work in their chosen field?

BURBANK — As the deadline for college financial aid request submissions fast approaches in July, for the first time students are getting a head start on the process. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, a process that identifies how much financial aid a student will receive for college expenses, is usually filed by high school seniors, beginning in January of the year they plan to attend college. But as of April 1, a new, online program presented by the U.S. Department of Education, called the FAFSA4caster, offers college-bound freshman, sophomores, juniors and their families insight into how much money they could be eligible for in federal aid, said Trey Ditto, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Education.

State Sen. Jack Scott, whose district includes Pasadena, Burbank and Glendale, introduced the Early College Commitment Act of 2007 on Thursday. The bill would help families and students prepare for college. If passed, the legislation would create voluntary programs for local school districts to provide information on higher education and student aid. The legislation would create a pledge for students and their parents or legal guardian to sign. The students would agree to meeting all the graduation requirements, completing the necessary preparatory work and complete the required paperwork for college.

State Assemblyman Paul Krekorian is hosting a workshop to inform high school and college students about ways to obtain financial aid to help pay for their college educations. Every student in California, regardless of financial status, ought to have a right to a college education, Krekorian said. The workshop is intended to show students that they should not be denied a college education because they can't afford it, he said. Advisors from Glendale Community College's financial aid office will offer information about the variety of financial assistance options at colleges and universities.

Students have to work harder to find funds to pay for continued education beyond high school.BURBANK -- Counselor Michelle Sparks spends much of her time ensuring that Burbank High School seniors make the right decisions when it comes to college -- from where to apply to how to pay. But when it came time for her own two children to apply to college, the difficulty of those decisions hit home. "I told them Cal States or UCs," Sparks said. "For me finance was a huge consideration."