Know a student who needs money for college? What about some help filling out all those financial aid forms? If so, point them to one of the free Cash for College workshops being held online and in person across the Sacramento region starting this October.
At the workshops, trained volunteers will be helping students and families learn how to file for state and federal financial aid—including FAFSA, Dream Act, and Chafee Grant applications. Students of mixed-status families are also eligible to apply for financial aid—learn about the options for mixed-status families.
The Sacramento Cal-SOAP Consortium (California Student Opportunity Access Program) at the Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) is coordinating the local events, which are sponsored by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC). Sacramento Cal-SOAP serves students in more than 40 middle schools and high schools across Sacramento County, communicating information about college and financial aid while helping raise the achievement levels of low-income students.
How to Prepare
Families should plan to have the following materials available when attending a workshop:
- 2024 tax information (Forms 1040 and W2)
- FSA ID (for FAFSA filers)
- Driver’s license (if applicable)
- Social Security card (if applicable)
- Alien Registration card (if applicable)
- List of colleges being considered
- Most current bank balances
- Any records of untaxed income
Workshop Schedule
- Register online (search for school name) to attend one of the following Cash for College Workshops
Note: Workshops for SCOE students and their families will also be conducted in January (North Area Community School and Nathaniel S. Colley, Senior Jr./Sr. High School) and February (Cordova Lane and Elinor Lincoln Hickey Jr./Sr. High School). Email aellis@scoe.net for information about workshops for SCOE students.
October 2025
- October 15: Rio Linda High School (In Person, 6–8 p.m.)
- October 16: Davis Senior High School (In Person, 6–8 p.m.)
- October 21: River City High School (In Person, 6–8 p.m.)
- October 22: Monterey Trail High School (In Person, 6–8 p.m.)
- October 23: John F. Kennedy High School (In Person, 6–8 p.m.)
- October 28: McClatchy High School (In Person, 6–8 p.m.)
- October 29: Valley High School (In Person, 6–8 p.m.)
- October 30: Rio Vista High School (In Person, 6–8 p.m.)
November 2025
- November 1: Woodland Community College (In Person, 9 a.m.–12 p.m.)
- November 4: Woodland High School (In Person, 6–8 p.m.)
- November 5: Winters High School (In Person, 6–8 p.m.)
- November 6: Florin High School (In Person, 6–8 p.m.)
- November 12: Laguna Creek High School (Virtual, 6–8 p.m.)
- November 13: Cosumnes Oaks High School (Virtual, 6–8 p.m.)
- November 18: Esparto High School (In Person, 6–8 p.m.)
- November 18: Mesa Verde High School (In Person, 6–8 p.m.)
- November 19: Calvine High School (In Person, 6–8 p.m.)
- November 20: Casa Roble High School (In Person, 6–8 p.m.)
December 2025
- December 2: Foothill High School (In Person, 6–8 p.m.)
- December 2: San Juan High School (In Person, 6–8 p.m.)
- December 3: Encina High School (In Person, 6–8 p.m.)
- December 4: Franklin High School (Virtual, 6–8 p.m.)
- December 9: Natomas High School (In Person, 6–8 p.m.)
- December 10: Pleasant Grove High School (In Person, 6–8 p.m.)
- December 11: Rosemont High School (In Person, 6–8 p.m.)
January 2026
- January 8: Cordova High School (In Person, 5:30–7:30 p.m.)
- January 13: Sac City Unified School District (In Person, 6–8 p.m.)
- January 14: Delta High School (In Person, 6–8 p.m.)
- January 15: Highlands High School (In Person, 6–8 p.m.)
- January 15: Sheldon High School (In Person, 6–8 p.m.)
- January 20: Hiram Johnson High School (In Person, 6–8 p.m.)
- January 21: Inderkum High School (Virtual, 6–8 p.m.)
- January 22: Pioneer High School (In Person, 6–8 p.m.)
- January 27: Grant High School (In Person, 6–8 p.m.)
- January 28: El Camino High School (In Person, 6–8 p.m.)
- January 29: Elk Grove High School (In Person, 6–8 p.m.)
February 2026
- February 4: Bella Vista High School (In Person, 6–8 p.m.)
- February 10: Natomas Charter High School (In Person, 6–8 p.m.)
- February 26: Luther Burbank High School (In Person, 5:30–7:30 p.m.)