Spring Break
Financial aid deadline looming
Megan Wood
Issue date: 2/21/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
The deadline for San Jose State University students interested in applying for financial aid is quickly approaching.
Coleetta McElroy, assistant director of the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office, said March 2 is the last day for priority filing for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, that qualifies students for financial aid.
March 2 is also the absolute deadline for new Cal Grant applicants, McElroy said.
"Students that have already filled out a FAFSA and have been enrolled since spring 2006 automatically get their GPA's sent for consideration for a Cal Grant," McElroy said.
If a student is new to SJSU they will need to return to their previous school and have them report their GPA, McElroy said.
Joy Pross, a junior majoring in behavioral science and sociology said, "I've applied for a FAFSA for two years and have never qualified because of my parents' income which is apparently too high."
Because of her rejection for aid through FAFSA, Pross has been paying for school with funds from working over summer breaks and with support from her parents.
"My dad was laid off two years ago and my mom is a preschool teacher, so a grant or financial aid would definitely take some of the burden off of my parents financially." Pross said.
Matt Thompson, a junior majoring in corporate finance, shares Pross' dilemma.
"I filled out a FAFSA my first year but didn't qualify … it discouraged me from applying for anything else because it was a hassle to fill out all the papers, but get told the same thing," Thompson said.
"We recommend everyone apply for financial aid even if they have been told that they may not qualify," McElroy said.
McElroy said there are two types of Cal Grants that are available to SJSU students.
"The first kind, type A, pays a portion of the registration fees, about $1,260 of the $1,648 tuition fee," McElroy said.
Type B grants focuses more on students who are financially needy. Plan B pays a stipend of $776 a semester for the first year and then for the second through fourth years includes the type A grant monies.
"Students should apply early because once the money is gone we can't do much even if a student is financially needy," McElroy said.
The Financial Aid Office, located on 10th Street, is available to students with questions about applying for FAFSA and Cal Grants. For more information refer to the financial aid website at www.sjsu.edu/depts/finaid.
Coleetta McElroy, assistant director of the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office, said March 2 is the last day for priority filing for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, that qualifies students for financial aid.
March 2 is also the absolute deadline for new Cal Grant applicants, McElroy said.
"Students that have already filled out a FAFSA and have been enrolled since spring 2006 automatically get their GPA's sent for consideration for a Cal Grant," McElroy said.
If a student is new to SJSU they will need to return to their previous school and have them report their GPA, McElroy said.
Joy Pross, a junior majoring in behavioral science and sociology said, "I've applied for a FAFSA for two years and have never qualified because of my parents' income which is apparently too high."
Because of her rejection for aid through FAFSA, Pross has been paying for school with funds from working over summer breaks and with support from her parents.
"My dad was laid off two years ago and my mom is a preschool teacher, so a grant or financial aid would definitely take some of the burden off of my parents financially." Pross said.
Matt Thompson, a junior majoring in corporate finance, shares Pross' dilemma.
"I filled out a FAFSA my first year but didn't qualify … it discouraged me from applying for anything else because it was a hassle to fill out all the papers, but get told the same thing," Thompson said.
"We recommend everyone apply for financial aid even if they have been told that they may not qualify," McElroy said.
McElroy said there are two types of Cal Grants that are available to SJSU students.
"The first kind, type A, pays a portion of the registration fees, about $1,260 of the $1,648 tuition fee," McElroy said.
Type B grants focuses more on students who are financially needy. Plan B pays a stipend of $776 a semester for the first year and then for the second through fourth years includes the type A grant monies.
"Students should apply early because once the money is gone we can't do much even if a student is financially needy," McElroy said.
The Financial Aid Office, located on 10th Street, is available to students with questions about applying for FAFSA and Cal Grants. For more information refer to the financial aid website at www.sjsu.edu/depts/finaid.
Be the first to comment on this story