On Oct. 12, Moorpark College held the Ventura County district-wide event, Cash for College. Services offered included financial aid and academic advice for both prospective and current students.
The event was held in the Fountain Hall Atrium, where financial aid staff and student volunteers greeted attendees with a snack and coffee bar, as well as a Guided Path to Success t-shirt and gift bag. Attendees were asked to sign up for campus tours and financial aid application assistance.
Student Success Coach Karla Montenegro Gonzalez sat front and center, welcoming attendees with a kind smile and gift bags full of Moorpark College spirit wear.
“This is the time where we answer all their questions, even questions they may not have because someone else is asking them,” said Gonzalez.
Attendees interested in financial aid applications were ushered by staff to the bottom floor of the library. Nine financial aid personnel were present, prepared to help prospective and current students fill out FAFSA, California Dream Act, and grant applications.
According to Guadalupe Bedolla, a financial aid technician at Moorpark, “I’ve been here three years, and this by far has been the biggest turnout.”
While the turnout was large, the staff was well prepared to answer any and all questions from attendees.
To Donna Santa-Cruz, a Westlake Village resident and prospective student, this event made all the difference. Santa-Cruz is the parent of an Agoura High School sophomore and strives to finish classes at Moorpark College before her daughter attends Moorpark herself.
“I got help applying for student grants and a little information on the counseling. Plus I got a tour,” stated Santa-Cruz. “It made me feel like I could actually do this.”
Johnny Conley, director of student equity and adjunct counselor at Moorpark College, ran a presentation on what the school has to offer, as well as a Q&A session. Conley gave a broad overview of what Moorpark has to offer, such as the EOPS and Guided Path to Success programs, transfer opportunities and student life.
“Moorpark is number one in the state and number four in the country for transfer,” stated Conley.
Conley also mentioned the campus’ Transfer Admission Guarantee program. The TAG program is a guaranteed transfer plan to various competitive UC’s. The requirements for students who TAG are to complete a set of specific classes for their intended major and maintain the GPA and grades necessary to transfer to a UC of choice. Moorpark College offers TAG workshops to help students apply for the program multiple times a month from August through November.
“This is a great event to get familiar with the resources that are available here on campus,” added Gonzalez.
Moorpark College holds Cash for College twice a year, during the fall and spring semesters. For more information on the next Cash for College event, visit the Financial Aid office on the upper floor of the Fountain Hall building or call 805-378-1462.
