The Financial Aid Office, in conjunction with CalWORKS, EOPS, C.A.R.E. and LINC held an event on April 28 “to inform students of different resources available,” said Yesenia Ramirez, financial aid specialist.

“It’s not just money, it’s also services (the school provides),” she said.

She also wants to remind students to fill out their FASFA forms before the fall.

Students can apply for financial aid on cerritos.edu/financial-aid/ by filling out a free FASFA application.

The office will receive a student’s information within two to three weeks.

To encourage students to participate in this event and get information about the services on campus, there were prizes given out.

Students were given cards to have stamped at all the different tables.

“They ask questions (presented on the stamps) to get stamps on the cards,” Ramirez said.

After students got stamps from all the different tables and filled out the survey on the back of the cards, they got tote bag and a silicon wristband, both with the icanaffordcollege.com logo on them.

They also got to spin a wheel for the chance to win prizes such as t-shirts and USB drives.

One of the tables that stayed open to the end was for Leaders INvolved in Creating Change.

Gustavo Romero, financial aid intern, said, “LINC provides services for current and former foster youth.”

He said the reason for a special program geared toward foster youth is “foster youth have different needs.”

According to LINC’s Web site, its services includes:

• assisting students with completing FASFA, Chafee Grant applications and other financial aid forms,
• linking students with services on-campus and off-campus,
• providing hands-on financial aid guidance,
• providing college materials,
• a peer and professional mentor program and
• network opportunities with other foster youth.

The event was from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.