SACRAMENTO - State grants for college are now available, and getting them is easy. Current or future undergraduates just have to apply by the deadline and meet certain criteria. That is information that Assemblyman Jose Solorio (D-Anaheim) wants 2008-2009 college-bound students in his district to know.

“During the 2007-2008 school year, the California Student Aid Commission offered approximately $800 million in Cal Grants to more than 299,000 eligible students throughout the state,” Assemblyman Solorio said. “I want the students in my district to know there is a piece of that pie available for them.”

Cal Grants are California state-funded grants that students do not have to pay back. Students are guaranteed to receive a Cal Grant Entitlement award if they meet all the requirements including a minimum GPA of 2.0, have a financial need and apply by March 3, 2008.

Assemblyman Solorio, who put himself through college and graduate school with the help of grants and loans, knows intimately the difficulties students face navigating the student aid process. He encourages students to seek help.

“Free, California Cash for College workshops to help low income and first-generation college-bound students successfully complete the financial aid application process are going on now,” he explains. “But the first step should be to get an appointment with a high school or college counselor. They can direct you to workshops in your area or guide you through the process.”

For more information on Cal Grants,visit www.calgrants.org.

State Assemblyman Jose Solorio is the Chair of the Assembly Public Safety Committee and also serves on the Assembly Education, Transportation, and Appropriations Committees. He represents the Sixty-Ninth Assembly District, which includes the cities of Anaheim, Garden Grove, and Santa Ana. For more information about Assemblyman Solorio, you can visit www.assembly.ca.gov/solorio