IRVINE- Thursday on the evening of January 12, there was a CalGrant Workshop in the Performing Arts Center at 7:30pm. This workshop was held to help seniors at Beckman receive grants, scholarships, and other funds for college. Programs such as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the California Student Aid Commission, and the ECMC College aid foundation.
The workshop on Thursday night was mainly for 12^th grade students and parents who cannot pay for college or worry about financial issues in college. Not only were Beckman seniors filing in to the seats, but also many senior parents filed in before the start of the workshop. Speakers from the Financial Aid office from IVC came in to announce the start of the workshop and to answer the questions that the audience had.
"This workshop is an amazing way to gain valuable information that helps the student's parents gain more knowledge for their child's future," said Mrs. Carr.
     The speakers showed a step by step presentation on the process of applying to receive a college grant or scholarship. They guided the audience on how to apply on the FAFSA website and also through mail. IVC speakers also emphasized the importance of putting the correct confidential information in order for the students to have a higher chance into receiving a scholarship or grant from several of the foundations other than FAFSA.
"Every year since the costs  for colleges get more and more expensive, this workshop can be a huge help to many senior students," said Beckman's counselor Mrs. Schultz.
Slowly as the workshop started ending many of the parents and students raised their hands to ask questions about receiving free grants for college. Although this question and answer session was not planned, the session helped many of the students and parents understand more about how to apply and how to receive grants.
Senior students and their parents experienced a very helpful and important information about college grants only by coming to the annual CalGrant Workshop night.