The Pedrozzi Scholarship Foundation, in coordination with Congressman Eric Swalwell, hosted Looking Forward – Paying for College on October 6, 2015. If you missed the event, download the presentation and handouts here and watch the video of the event below.
Families of all backgrounds filled the Robert Livermore Community Center for the information-packed presentation. Colette Hadley, Director of Consulting Services with the National College Access Network, discussed the philosophy, sources and types of financial aid available for college and career training. Hadley says, “Early financial aid awareness helps families prepare and plan wisely.” Families and students walked away with valuable information.
“Right now, 40 million young people have about $1.3 trillion in student loan debt. It’s the moral crisis of our time,” says Congressman Swalwell. “I want all students and their families to understand the options available to them for paying for college and vocational training, especially grants and work-study that will reduce the cost without adding debt.”
“It is important that students and families do not self-select out of aid,” explained Hadley. “I have seen too many middle class families make unwise decisions when paying for college because they were not aware of the financial aid available to them,” she continues.
The Federal and State governments, along with colleges, and organizations such as the Pedrozzi Scholarship Foundation, provide support that makes college and career training financially feasible for students of all backgrounds. Hadley explained how community college fee waivers, student loans, work study programs, scholarships, grants, and tax-exempt college savings plans help families pay for college. “In 2014, the State of California provided $1.7 billion to help students afford college. However, families and students need to learn how to access that aid and understand their role in paying for college,” explains Hadley.
“When students know help is available to pay for college and vocational training, they are more likely to view higher education as an option,” added Swalwell.
During her welcoming remarks, Carolyn Siegfried, Executive Director, Pedrozzi Scholarship Foundation, shared, “Ms. Hadley is passionate about helping communities increase rates of college completion and believes that early financial aid awareness is a key contributor to increasing those rates. Our community is fortunate to have her share her expertise with us.”
“Congressman Swalwell believes that the Federal and State governments play a critical role in providing affordable access to quality education to prepare students for future careers in our global economy,” explained Siegfried. “We are grateful to be working in coordination with him to share this valuable information.”
