Opinion: Struggling to get help with college through the FAFSA? Here’s why you shouldn’t give up

An op-ed by Jaclyn Piñero, CEO of uAspire

Elevating resources to help students and families with FAFSA completion and offering hope amid the frustrations that students, especially those from mixed status families, are so acutely experiencing.

Trade-Offs When Paying for College

Acknowledging the Complexities Around Higher Education

Natalie articulates the trade-offs she and her family made to allow her children to go to college.

Addressing College Affordability in California

The Societal Value of Higher Education

Natalie stresses that addressing college affordability is a shared community concern, as it impacts the future opportunities of the younger generation and the overall talent pool in society.

Navigating the Financial Aid System

A Personal Reflection

Natalie shares that she found the financial aid process to be complicated, acknowledging that she made mistakes along the way in the application process.

The Importance of Student Counseling

Elevating Solutions

Natalie emphasizes the significance of enhancing the student counseling process in colleges to help minimize unnecessary expenses associated with extended education.

The Factor of Cost

Acknowledging the Complexities Around Higher Education

José Cárdenas, Ed.D. believes that the cost of college is the number one factor that students and their families weigh in their decision to attend college.

The Value of College

The Individual Value of Higher Education

José Cárdenas, Ed.D. attests to the value of college, citing the impacts that he has seen for the students he has worked with.

Navigating the Financial Aid System

What Students Face

José Cárdenas, Ed.D. describes the steps required of students and families to navigate the complex financial aid system.

Disproportionate Impacts on California’s Most Vulnerable Students

Addressing Inequities

José Cárdenas, Ed.D. shares that college affordability impacts California's most vulnerable students, and by improving college affordability, we can help the next generation of Californians.

Fulfilling A Generational Wish

The Individual Value of Higher Education

Richard shares that by attending college, he is fulfilling a generational wish that his grandfather had, and sees it as the realization of his family's hard work.

The Importance of Mentorship

A Personal Reflection

Richard shares that a mentor provided important support to him during the college application process.

The Mental Toll of Paying for College

Acknowledging the Complexities Around Higher Education

Richard describes the financial and mental stress he has experienced due to the cost of college.

The Power of Investment

The Societal Value of Higher Education

Richard shares his belief that when you invest in one person, it trickles down and helps the whole community.

Going Back to School As An Adult

The Individual Value of Higher Education

Deidre describes the factors that went into her decision to return to college as an adult, which include supporting her family.

Inspiring the Next Generation

A Personal Reflection

Deidre shares how her own experience pursuing higher education inspired her daughter to do the same.

Understanding Financial Aid

Acknowledging the Complexities Around Higher Education

Deidre shares that, because everyone's financial situation is different, it's important for students and families to understand how financial aid works.

Financial Aid Resources

Elevating Solutions

Deidre emphasizes the benefits of meeting with the financial aid department to get a better understanding of how financial aid works.

College remains a sure path to success

An op-ed by Monica Martinez

Discussing the continued value of college and what is needed to ensure that every young person has a chance to pursue higher education.